Outdoor fire pits bring warmth and ambiance to your landscape, but how expensive are they? The cost depends on your chosen materials, whether you purchase a pre-made fire pit or build it yourself, and other crucial factors.
An outdoor fire pit can cost as little as $100 for a basic DIY design or up to $10,000 for a custom stacked stone fire pit designed and installed by a professional. While it seems cheaper to make one, you should consider the best value depending on whether you want a permanent or portable fire pit.
A portable gas-fueled model is perfect if you only need a fire pit for weekend use. However, if you entertain large groups, a more expansive, durable fire pit installed by a professional is ideal. Read on for more information about fire pit construction and the costs involved.
The Average Cost To Build a Permanent Fire Pit
As with anything you build, the cost of the materials is the most significant expense for a fire pit.
Fire pits are a popular landscape feature that can add unmatched ambiance to your property. The average cost to DIY a fire pit is between $400 to $1,500, while a landscape professional can charge up to $10,000 for a fire pit design and installation.
List of Materials Required to DIY Outdoor Fire Pit
Once you’ve constructed the fire pit, it requires very little maintenance to be ready for the next time around the fire. The amounts you need for each material depend on the fire pit size you plan to build.
- A circular fire pit needs blocks that are narrower on one side to fit together snugly. These trapezoidal blocks are commonly used to build a secure fire pit.
- A square or rectangular fire pit can use regular blocks. These fire pit shapes can use square and rectangular blocks to form the fire pit exterior.
- You need crushed gravel for the fire pit base. The rock sits in the circular hole you have dug for the fire pit base.
- Leveling sand ensures the blocks are leveled in every layer. Keeping the blocks even and level is essential to build a fire pit that remains secure when people sit on the edges.
- You will need construction adhesive or concrete to secure the blocks together. You must wait four to seven days for the adhesive or concrete to dry before lighting a fire.
- A steel fire pit ring or bowl will withstand the hot fire and keep it contained. You can purchase a VBENLEM Fire Pit Ring 36-Inch Outer/30-Inch Inner Diameter Fire Pit Insert from Amazon. We like this one because you can use it to build an above or below-ground fire pit, and it is made from thick, heavy-duty steel for long-term use.
- You will need pea gravel to encourage drainage for the fire pit base. This small gravel allows rainwater to drain away from the fire pit base, so your fire pit isn’t waterlogged and hard to use.
This Youtube video demonstrates how to build a fire pit yourself:
Professional Outdoor Fire Pit Cost
Paying a landscape professional to design and build a fire pit can cost between $5,000 and $10,000.
The labor costs an average of fifty percent of the materials because fire pit construction is labor-intensive. They must design the fire pit, estimate the materials, and project the labor costs to build the structure.
Cost considerations for a landscape professional to build a fire pit are the following.
- The material cost depends on the size and shape.
- The labor costs are often fifty to sixty percent of the materials cost.
- You could need a plumber to run gas to the fire pit for an automatic starter.
Benefits of a Permanent Outdoor Fire Pit
Most people with a permanent outdoor fire pit love the ease and convenience of lighting a fire on a chilly night. Choosing a stationary outdoor fire pit has many benefits, particularly the ability to customize the design to your personal style and material preference. Here are some other benefits.
- A permanent outdoor fire pit makes your patio and outdoor area multi-season. Whether you want it to add warmth to this outdoor living space on a cool evening or create that ambient atmosphere you love, a fire pit can allow you to use your outdoor areas longer in the day and season.
- They allow you to create unique memories with loved ones and friends. Your children will long remember the nights you pulled out the marshmallows to roast S’mores at the end of a fun-filled summer day.
- A permanent outdoor fire pit is a safe and fun way to enjoy a fire. Because the fire is contained in an unmovable structure, the likelihood of spreading is low.
The Average Cost To Purchase a Pre-Made Fire Pit
There are multiple options when you decide purchasing a pre-made fire pit is the best route. Having a permanent fire pit is not for everybody, so portable fire pits can be taken out and put away when you want to have an outdoor fire.
You can purchase an outdoor fire pit for camping, one geared toward cooking instead of relaxation, and a foldable model. Here are some portable fire pits.
A Portable Fire Pit
A portable fire pit has much to recommend it. The ease of moving it from the front to the backyard is a definite bonus, and then you can store it in the basement or garage when not in use. Moving a fire pit around in the landscape also has distinct benefits.
- Most portable fire pits are manufactured of durable steel, copper, or iron. These are long-wearing materials that will work well for many years.
- Having a portable outdoor fire pit can allow you to change the focal point or location of the fire as you see fit. You can place it in the yard or on the patio, depending on where you want it to go.
We love the Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit (available on Amazon.com) for its portability and no need for propane or gas fuel. The stainless steel design is durable and aids combustion without excess smoke getting in your eyes and that lingering smell in your clothes.
A Portable Propane Fire Pit
The Heininger 5995 58,000 BTU Portable Propane Smokeless Outdoor Gas Fire Pit (available on Amazon.com) is an excellent choice for a gas-fueled fire pit.
The gas fire pit produces no smoke for a clean burn and is built of alloy steel. It is lightweight, you can move it easily from one location to another, and has a knob that lets you control the flame height. The Heninger Propane Fire Pit is fairly inexpensive as it retails for less than $200.
A Portable Wood-Burning Fire Pit
It seems appropriate to have a wood-burning fire pit since it closely resembles the campfire we all remember. We love the TIKI Brand 25 Inch Stainless Steel Smokeless Fire Pit (available on Amazon.com) with its powder-coated stainless steel exterior and a wide four-foot (123 cm) heat radius. It burns wood with an internal air system to divert the smoke. This portable fire pit is not cheap, but not too expensive either, retailing for around $300 – $400, depending on the size you pick.
Conclusion
When choosing an outdoor fireplace, several factors will influence your decision. You must decide how much you have to spend, whether you want a stationary outdoor fire pit or a movable model, and the fuel type you prefer to burn.
