How Much Does a Balcony Cost?

Average Cost to Build a Balcony

Costs based on a 4-foot-by-10-foot balcony.

Balcony Material Prices

The price of materials for building a balcony equates to approximately half the total cost. For planks, beams, railings, decking, and support pillars, expect to pay between $10 and $45 per square foot.

Remember that higher-end materials will cost you more initially, but they'll typically save you money long-term due to their minimal maintenance and longer lifespan. Plus, the better the balcony, the more it will likely add to the resale value of your home.

Balcony Installation Cost

Labor for installing a balcony costs $10 to $45 per square foot. The price varies by the pro you pick and the complexity of the job. You'll also pay more in labor if you need the services of a structural engineer or a more complex balcony construction.

Balcony Cost by Size

Balcony size obviously influences the cost of your project and also impacts the type of balcony and supports you need for safety.

• 4 x 10 feet: $600–$2,400

• 10 x 14 feet: $2,100–$8,400

• 8 x 22 feet: $2,640–$10,560

• 10 x 24 feet: $3,600–$14,400

Balcony Cost by Decking Material

The material you choose for your balcony has a direct impact on the cost per square foot, but don't automatically go with the cheapest option. Consider lifespan, balcony repair costs, and ongoing maintenance costs and requirements before you make a decision.

Wood Balconies

On average, wood balconies cost between $30 and $60 per square foot for labor and materials. This cost assumes that you choose common, readily available wood. However, the price can go much higher than this if you decide on hardwoods that are difficult to work with and hard to find. Materials cost $20 to $25 per square foot, and labor runs an additional $10 to $45 per square foot.

Composite Balconies

Composite balconies are more expensive than wood, but they last longer and need minimal maintenance. If you go with composite, expect to pay between $45 and $80 per square foot, all-in. Labor costs $15 to $45 per square foot, and materials, including structural materials and decking boards, cost $45 to $80 per square foot.

PVC Balconies

PVC balconies are the most costly but have the longest lifespan and, with minimal maintenance, keep looking like new for many years. For a PVC balcony, you'll pay $40 to $95 per square foot for labor and materials. Labor costs $15 to $45 per square foot, and materials, including all boards, structural components, and other supplies, cost $30 to $40 per square foot.

Balcony Types by Cost

Balcony type is an important factor when figuring out your budget. Smaller prefabricated balconies that don’t require additional construction or support cost less than large, bespoke balconies that need a considerable amount of construction for adequate support and on-site assembly.

Juliet Balcony

Juliet balconies are the least expensive type as they're not true balconies. While some fancier models may have a small amount of standing space, normally, these little faux balconies are essentially just railings that sit across a doorway or large window for safety.

Cantilever Balcony

Cantilever balconies are very common and moderately priced. These balconies don't require supports or braces, but they do have a 24-inch depth limit. Cantilever balconies have support beams within the property's walls.

Stacked Balcony

A stacked balcony is supported by concrete, metal, or wood columns or pillars and concrete pads. This option is comparatively budget-friendly. It's great if you want to avoid additional home reno costs if your wall isn’t strong enough for a cantilever or bolt-on balcony.

Although the stacked balcony is attached firmly to the building, its presence doesn't add any significant weight to the building load. Its weight is supported by the pillars beneath and then transferred to the substantial concrete slabs at ground level.

The biggest thing to note with this type of balcony is the aesthetic. Consider the design and positioning of the pillars to avoid ruining the aesthetics of your property.

Bolt-On Self-Supporting Balconies

Bolt-on balconies are self-supporting. They adhere to a property's exterior with bolts, sag tension rods, and knife plates. Bolt-on balconies are prefabricated and quick to install, so you'll save significantly on labor time. However, all their weight is anchored to the house, so building load and wall strength are serious considerations.

Post-Tension Slab Balconies

Post-tension slab balconies are expensive but offer more design possibilities than prefab models because they're cast in place. Plus, they're incredibly strong and because they're strengthened with tensioned steel cables, post-tension slabs offer greater flexibility of construction. Taking on the cost of hiring an architect can help your project run smoothly, as they will create designs that use thinner concrete slabs than other balcony types and cover greater spans without building additional supports. Safe installation requires additional specialist skills, though.

Balcony Cost Factors

Once you've figured out the basic cost, you need to consider any potential factors that influence project cost or, if you have any room in your budget, any extras you might want to include.

Permits

While every municipality has its own rules, if you're adding more than a little Juliet balcony or a small cantilever, you'll most likely require a permit and need to meet local building code requirements. Permits start from $100.

If you hire a contractor near you, they should be aware of the local regulations and requirements and will most likely roll the cost of permit applications into your whole project quote.

Railings

Your choice of railings impacts the overall balcony price. Deck railings cost from $15 to $600 per linear foot. For the best deck railings for your balcony, consider overall aesthetic, weight, and budget.

Staircase

If you want to access your balcony from the ground, you'll need to install an exterior staircase. The cost depends on the height, the number of steps, and the type of staircase, but expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 to install an exterior staircase with railing and balusters.

DIY vs. Hiring a Balcony Building Pro

Most balcony installations are not suitable for DIY. The exception is the Juliet balcony, and even then, you should only take this on if you have significant experience working on exteriors at height.

But for best results and for all other balcony types, leave it to the professionals and hire an experienced contractor for safety. Remember, it's more than just a case of screwing in a few bolts. Aside from getting the balcony attached to the wall, an engineer may be required to assess the building load, wall strength, and figure out what, if any, extra supports are necessary.

FAQs

Do I need a permit to add a balcony?

In most cases, yes, you'll likely need a permit to install a balcony. It's worth asking your contractor to check what permits you need. They will probably take care of all permitting issues for you as part of the job.

Does a balcony add value to my home?

Yes, a balcony can add as much as 20% to the value of your property. Generally, this lets you recoup all of or more than the cost of installing the balcony.

What should I buy for my balcony?

What you purchase depends on how you use your balcony, but as a general rule, these items are popular additions to a balcony:

• Compact table and chairs

• Storage ottoman that doubles as extra seating

• Solar lights

• Outdoor lighting

• Soft furnishings

• Bookcase or shelving unit

• Folding laptop station