How much does a fire pit cost?
How much does a fire pit cost?
$325 – $2,000 average cost to build a fire pit
$2,200 – $6,800 average cost to build a patio with fire pit
Fire pit cost
Building a custom fire pit costs $325 to $2,000 on average. Prefab fire pit prices are $75 to $500 with no assembly required. The cost of a stone patio with a fire pit is $2,200 to $6,800. A gas fire pit installation costs $3,500 to $8,000 for labor and materials.
| Fire pit type | Average cost installed |
|---|---|
| Portable / off-the-shelf fire pit | $75 – $500 |
| Prefab fire pit kit | $200 – $700 |
| Custom built-in fire pit (9 to 16 square feet) | $325 – $2,000 |
| Custom-built patio with fire pit | $2,200 – $6,800 |
Fire pit prices installed by size
Fire pit prices start at $150 to $500 to install a 24” wide fire pit or $1,300 to $4,500 for a 72” wide fire pit. These prices are for a basic fire pit only using materials such as concrete blocks or bricks with construction-grade adhesive.
| Size (width) | Average cost installed* |
|---|---|
| 24” | $150 – $500 |
| 36" | $330 – $1,150 |
| 40" | $400 – $1,400 |
| 44" | $500 – $1,700 |
| 48" | $600 – $2,000 |
| 60" | $900 – $3,150 |
| 72” | $1,300 – $4,500 |
*Prices for hand-built fire pits in square shapes without masonry finishes or fuel lines.
Prefab fire pit prices
Prefab fire pit prices are $75 to $500 for units with no assembly required. Fire pit kits are $200 to $700 for materials to build it onsite.
| Type | Average material price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Metal fire pit | $75 – $300 |
|
| Fire pit tables | $200 – $500 |
|
| Fire pit kits | $200 – $700 |
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Cost to build a custom fire pit
The cost to build a custom fire pit is $325 to $2,000 minimum for a standard block design, excluding a surrounding patio or fuel connections. Total costs depend on the fire pit type, size, material, fuel type, and customization level.
| Factor | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Materials | $200 – $1,700 |
| Labor | $125 – $300 |
| Total cost to install | $325 – $2,000 |
*Prices based on a standard 9- to 16-square-foot size up to 5 rows tall without finishes.
Fire pit building materials prices
Fire pit building material prices are $80 to $300 for plain concrete blocks or up to $3,400 for natural stone kits. Most kits are for pit sizes from 40” to 52” wide.
| Material type | Material prices per fire pit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Natural stone | $290 – $3,400 |
|
| Fire brick | $150 – $450 |
|
| Concrete blocks | $80 – $300 |
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| Nicolock | $600 – $1,600 |
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| Techo-Bloc Valencia | $700 – $1,600 |
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| Unilock Stones | $500 – $1,750 |
|
Do not build a fire pit from limestone, sandstone, or river rocks because they absorb more water and explode when heated.
Labor cost to install a fire pit
Fire pit installation labor costs depend on the amount of ground-prep work needed and whether gas or electrical connections are necessary. Site-prep work may include:
Tree stump removal costs $100 to $400 per stump.
Shrub and bush removal costs $25 to $150 per bush.
Tree removal costs $300 to $2,000 per tree.
Tree trimming costs $50 to $125 per hour.
Brush pile removal costs $150 to $200 per load.
The cost to level a yard is $500 to $1,000.
A French drain costs $10 to $35 per linear foot to stop sunken in-ground fire pits from flooding.
Handyman hourly rates are $50 to $80 for building the fire pit.
A gas plumber costs $45 to $150 per hour for installing a gas line.
An electrician costs $40 to $100 per hour for laying new wiring.
Most locations don’t require a permit to build a fire pit alone. However, some cities require fire-safety inspections or permits for gas lines. Check local regulations about the pit's size and distance to other objects.
Fire pit cost by fuel type
Fire pit costs start at $500 to$900 installed for wood-burning types or propane fire-pit tables. Costs go up to $8,000 installed for permanent natural-gas fire pits. Wood-burning fire pits are best for cooking and can use charcoal. Gas fire pits require a propane tank or natural-gas-line supply.
| Fuel type | Average cost installed* |
|---|---|
| Propane fire pits | $900 – $2,000 |
| Wood- and charcoal-burning fire pits (Basic blocks to extra stonework or stucco finishes) | $500 – $6,000 |
| Natural gas fire pits | $3,500 – $8,000 |
*Prices include materials and labor for various prefab and custom fire pits.
Gas line installation costs $12 to $25 per linear foot.
A propane tank costs $35 to $150 for 20 lb. to 100 lb. models.
Electronic ignition kits cost $400 to $2,000. Electronic ignition kits include a switch, remote control, and flame sensor for gas shutoff when a flame goes out. Contractors add this extra feature to natural gas or propane fire pits.
The cost to run power to the backyard is $10 to $25 per linear foot for underground conduit.
Fire pit seating cost
Building an aboveground fire-pit seating wall costs $4,400 to $15,800 on average, depending on the size, materials, and design. A stone or brick wall costs $40 to $120 per linear foot installed for a 2’ tall sitting wall, or twice as much with a back rest.
Installers typically use the same building materials for the fire pit and seating for a matching design.
Prices decrease for wooden benches, but not all building codes allow wood near a fire pit since it's flammable.
Sunken in-ground fire pit with seating cost
A sunken fire pit with built-in seating costs $3,000 to $8,800 installed. Work includes excavating dirt, installing drainage, materials, and installing the fire pit and bench seating. Costs are up to 10 times more with stone retaining walls on a patio. Prices vary by the depth and seating types.
Excavation costs $2.50 to $15.00 per cubic yard.
Dirt removal costs $140 to $230 per cubic yard.
The cost to install a drainage system in the yard is $1,000 to $4,000. Drainage is necessary to prevent flooding the fire pit when it rains.
Additional fire pit features & costs
The following table shows prices of common fire pit enhancements:
| Accessories | Average material cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Fire glass | $20 – $40 per 10 lb. bag |
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| Safety screens | $75 – $200 |
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| Fire grates | $50 – $200 |
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| Cooking grill grate | $75 – $150 |
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| Lava rock prices | $20 – $50 per 10 – 50 lb. bag |
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| Fire pit ring | $50 – $200 |
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| Protective cover | $25 – $50 |
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| Pathway & pit lighting | $1,000 – $3,000 |
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Other installation options include:
A patio enclosure costs $70 per square foot on average.
A pergola costs $10 to $65 per square foot on average.
Landscape lighting costs $80 to $300 per fixture.
An outdoor kitchen costs $6,000 to $22,000.
Cost of patio with fire pit
The cost of a stone patio with a fire pit is $2,200 to $6,800 for sizes of 144 to 225 square feet. Total costs vary according to the design and materials.
| \Patio size (feet) | Average cost installed* |
|---|---|
| 8’x8’ | $960 – $1,920 |
| 10’x10’ | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| 12’x’12’ | $2,200 – $4,300 |
| 10’x20’ | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| 15’x15’ | $3,400 – $6,800 |
| 12’x24’ | $4,300 – $8,600 |
| 20’x20’ | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| 24’x24’ | $8,600 – $17,300 |
Outdoor paver patio with fire pit cost by size
A new concrete or paver patio alone costs $4 to $17 per square foot installed:
A concrete patio costs $4 to $12 per square foot.
A paver patio costs $10 to $17 per square foot.
A concrete slab costs $4 to $8 per square foot.
Firepit cost vs. outdoor fireplace
The cost to build an outdoor fireplace is $3,000 to $15,000 installed, depending on whether it’s a pre-built unit or a custom-built design with mortar and bricks or stone. Total costs depend on the size, materials, fuel type, and finishes.
| Outdoor fireplace | Outdoor firepit |
|---|---|
|
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DIY cost to build a fire pit
The DIY cost to build a fire pit is $200 to $650 for tools and materials. Always hire a licensed professional for gas and electricity work for a safe installation that satisfies building codes.
| Item | >Average price |
|---|---|
| Shovel | $15 – $25 |
| Hand tamper | $30 – $70 |
| Tape measure | $10 – $20 |
| Level | $10 – $30 |
| Construction adhesive | $5 – $10 |
| Metal fire pit ring | $50 – $200 |
| Pea gravel cost | $1 – $3 per cubic foot |
| Retaining wall blocks | $80 – $300 |
| Total material cost: | $200 – $650 |
Steps to build a fire pit:
Select the location, fire pit size, and shape, and mark the site.
Remove the sod, dirt, or any existing pavers.
Add a layer of compacted gravel on the ground to create the base.
Lay out the first layer of blocks.
Test if the fire-pit bowl fits inside and adjust the blocks accordingly.
Stack the remaining blocks with construction adhesive between them.
Let it cure for several days before lighting the first fire.
Never use damp natural stones since the inner moisture content causes the rocks to explode when heated. Always buy heat-resistant stones or bricks.
How many bricks or pavers do I need to make a fire pit?
An average round fire pit with a 3’ to 4’ diameter needs 75 to 150 bricks or pavers. Fire brick prices for a fire pit are $150 to $450 total or $2 to $3 per brick. Use more bricks for pits more than 5 layers tall in other shapes.
Important: If the blocks are larger than the size of a common brick, you’ll only need 40 to 60 pieces depending on their thickness.
Outdoor fire pit FAQs
How long do fire pits last?
Most fire pits last from a few years to a lifetime, depending on the material and maintenance frequency. Steel burners with thin coatings rust easily, and untreated bricks crack in extreme temperatures. Stainless steel, copper, and stones last the longest.
Covering the fire pit while it’s not in use prolongs the unit’s life by protecting the igniter and other parts from moisture. Don’t extinguish fires with water repeatedly because that damages the fire-pit surface over time.
Does a fire pit add value to a home?
A fire pit adds the most value to a home when it’s part of a larger stone or concrete patio installation. Fire pits installed without a surrounding patio increase curb appeal for buyers in some places, but they yield a lower return on investment (ROI).
How long does it take to build a fire pit?
Building a fire pit takes 2 to 6 hours for most 3’ to 4’ wide designs using paver stones. Both custom brick-and-mortar fire pits and stone-block fire pits take an extra 1 week minimum for the mortar or adhesive to cure before you can use it.
Where should I build my fire pit?
Build a fire pit in a place where it’s:
At least 10 to 15 feet away from the house for a gas-fired unit
At least 15 to 30 feet away from the house for a wood-burning unit
On a level surface with no trees above it
Sheltered from high-wind areas
Supported by a base of either gravel, sand, pavers, or concrete
Surrounded by an open, fire-resistant patio of concrete, brick, or paver stones
Close to a water source for safety reasons
Don’t build a wood-burning firepit on a deck. Only gas-burning models are safe for most decks. Most fire pits aren’t permissible under a covered patio either, except for some small gas-fired pits where local building codes allow it.
How big should I make a fire pit?
A fire pit should have a 30” to 45” inner diameter with a height of 12” to 14” tall. Total width including outer walls can be 5’ to 6’ across maximum. However, most cities limit the size of a fire inside a pit to 3’ in diameter.
What is the best material for a fire pit?
The best material for a fire pit depends on your budget and backyard. Standalone fire pits made with metals like steel or copper are cheaper, portable, and suit all yard types. Hand-built stone and brick fire pits cost the most, are permanent, and require more space.
Only brick, stone, or concrete block fire pits are customizable to create a pit in any size or shape.
Getting estimates from fire pit installers
Before hiring a fire pit installer near you, be sure to:
Compare multiple bids from companies with at least 5 years of experience.
Check that the company has licenses, insurance, and surety bonds.
Ask if installers have National Fireplace Institute (NFI) training, gas-line certifications, or education in landscape design.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask for a detailed estimate and contract before work starts.
Beware of the cheapest quotes that typically result in low-quality work.
Give the final payment only after the job is complete.
Questions to ask
How many backyard fire pits have you installed?
Can I see photos of your past projects?
What are my choices for the shape and design of this fire pit?
How far away from my house should the pit be to satisfy local regulations?
Will you use building materials that match my home exterior?
Which fuel type do you recommend for my fire pit and why?
If I buy a prefabricated fire pit, can you install it with gas or electrical hookups?
Do city codes require me to keep a screen over the fire to control sparks?
What type of seating around the fire pit would best suit my yard?
Will you call the utility company to mark underground lines before digging?
How long will the installation take?
What should I do to prepare my yard before work begins?