Cost to Install Backyard Fire Pit – 2024 Prices

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On this page:

• How Much Does a Fire Pit Cost?
• Fire Pit Fuel Types
• Fire Pit Materials
• Concrete Blocks
• Field or Quarried Stones
• Brick Pavers
• Fire Pit Kits
• Patios, Seating & Enclosures
• The Cost of Labor vs. DIY
• References

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How Much Does a Fire Pit Cost?

The idea of installing a fire pit in their backyard gets many homeowners inspired. The thought of a weekend rendezvous around the fire pit with friends and family feeds that desire.

However, for many, the excitement soon fades when they consider the work involved in building a DIY fire pit, the cost of hiring a contractor, or the maintenance required.

Many shelve their dreams in favor of a propane barbecue grill they assume would cost less and require less maintenance. It might surprise you to learn the national average cost to install a fire pit is right at $830, and most spend between $300 and $2,200 for the project.^[1]

Of course, it depends on what materials you use, if you hire a contractor, what fuel you use, and what type of patio or surface material you want around the pit, if any. In areas where spring and summer bring the mosquitoes and other flying pests out in droves, you might want to consider an enclosure. After all, a bug zapper will only do so much.

One of the decisions you will need to make before you figure out what materials and supplies you will need and how much your project will cost is which fuel you will use in the fire pit. Some materials are not right for every fuel type, the maintenance requirements may not be the same, and some will require an electrician or plumber’s help.

Fire Pit Fuel Types

The type of fuel you expect to burn will make a difference in the materials you use. However, a fireproof bowl or fire bricks inside the ring, with a mesh cover, will allow you to burn almost any fuel.

For example, you can burn wood and yard debris in many fire pits, while others are designed for natural gas.

Gas fire pits are very convenient, and pre-made pits are usually reasonably affordable. Installing a natural gas line that runs to the home’s gas line will increase the cost dramatically, as they typically require the expertise of a plumber and additional materials for the piping.

Adding a gas line to the fire pit will run between $14 and $25 per linear foot installed from your main line.

It’s also possible to use propane or gas as the fuel for a custom-built fire pit. Propane fire pits often cost less than $500.^[2]

Wood-burning fire pits require fewer mechanics, which can lower the cost of pre-made pits. Some prefer a wood-burning fire pit, but they do require a little maintenance and require a stock of wood to burn. Keep in mind that any custom-made fire pit can have much higher costs.

Fire Pit Materials

The type of materials you use will depend on your budget and how you want your fire pit to look. Although there might be other choices, the most common materials are concrete blocks, stones, or bricks.

Concrete Blocks

Concrete blocks are the largest and least expensive of the building materials you will purchase. You can often get the materials for a fire pit for around $200 to $2,000 using concrete blocks and mortar.

Although many think of concrete blocks as rectangular, you can buy rounded blocks or blocks with a decorative front as well. Some even use these to build a pizza oven into their fire pit.

You have two options with concrete blocks; some can be dry-stacked together, while others need mortar. Keep in mind that the mortar option can be more expensive to install than the dry-stacked options.

Field or Quarried Stones

You can build a fantastic fire pit with field stones that you gather yourself or buy from a local quarry. Choose igneous or metamorphic rocks, and stay away from soft sedimentary stones. Soft stones contain air pockets that could explode when heated. Purchasing the required stones will cost around $300 to $500.

Brick Pavers

Lining the inside of the walls with fire bricks and using pavers for the rest will cost around $300 to $1,500 for materials as well.

Fire Pit Kits

Several manufacturers offer a kit with a complete set of materials that merely need to be installed on-site. Some are fairly easy to assemble and can give beautiful results. Others may be more difficult to install, and you may want to hire someone to assemble, which can average $100 to $150 extra.

These kits can include concrete blocks or pavers and usually cost between $500 and $1,250.^[3]

Patios, Seating & Enclosures

The prices quoted above are for materials and do not include enclosures, which could cost up to $15,000 for a complete patio. Simply adding a seating area can cost around $2,500. It really depends on which material you will use for seating, but the cheapest method is to use the same material as the fire pit, and it looks natural too.

Many people install fire pits on existing patios, while others may simply clear a space in their landscaping. But if you want to create a larger entertainment area with the fire pit as the focus, this will increase the project costs.

Built-in seating or enclosures will likely increase the cost significantly, as they require more labor and material than a simple pre-made kit.

It’s common to install a patio to surround the fire pit and sit on. One type to consider if you choose a brick pavers fire pit is a paver patio. It will cost between $8 to $25 per square foot.

Learn more about various types of patios and estimate costs and materials using our patio installation resources.

The Cost of Labor vs. DIY

Labor costs represent a significant portion of a fire pit project price. The cost of labor varies across the nation, depending on the going labor rates in the region. Some landscapers will charge by the hour, but most will bid a project like this as a flat rate project.

One option to reduce the cost of the project is to install it yourself. Unless you have the tools you need, a hoe, masonry jointer, four-foot level or string level, measuring tape, concrete mixer, rake, and shovel, you will need to buy, borrow, or rent these for your fire pit project.

Besides the time and tools, you may need a fire screen for $50 to $150, fire glass for $50 to $75 per 10 lb. bag, $20 for mortar mix, 1/2-inch rebar at about $50 to $100, and a fire grate for $50 to $100.

Keep in mind that not all fire pits are the same, both in terms of appearance and how they are built. The more complex the project, the more materials and tools necessary and the more expensive the cost. However, ready-made fire pits have few to no associated labor costs and often need no additional material.

If you have to buy, it might be less expensive and time-consuming to hire a contractor, though less rewarding. The labor for a fire pit is typically twice what the materials cost. In some cases, you will be required to hire a contractor, especially when gas is used as the fuel.

Installing a fire pit, especially a gas-fueled one, may require a building permit, so be sure to check with the local building inspector’s office before you begin. The cost of a permit varies, but they’re usually $20 to $100 for a small project.

We suggest getting several estimates from professionals in your area, compare their statement of work, verify their license and insurance, and ask to see pictures of finished fire pits they have done. This is a sure-fire way to get an accurate cost for your specific project.

All pricing information on this page is based on average industry costs, and is subject to variance for project-specific materials, labor rates, and requirements.