I need to put in a lower level patio, and an elevated 2nd level deck which will be above the patio. What I'm wondering is which is the right order to do the projects; deck then patio, or patio then deck? Does the answer depend on the type of patio? Example - poured concrete vs. flagstone or paver.

Thanks in advance for your help.

You can build them in any order, provided you set up for the deck footers if you do the patio first. If you are making a paver type patio that cannot support the weight of the deck piers, then build the deck first and then install your patio surface around the deck support posts.

Build the deck first. Where the deck steps end, your patio will begin. the height of the last step before you step down to your patio dictates the finished height or your patio. for instance, if your deck steps are 7 inches high each, then your patio finished height will be seven inches below your last deck step as you are walking from your deck down to your patio. This way all the steps, including the step walking from your patio to the deck steps, are equal...I hope I didnt confuse you.