Firepit Costs

Though human beings have loved gathering around fires for eons, it has not been all that long that we’ve been intentionally building fire pits in our backyards and gardens. Fortunately, today’s homeowners are big fans of the fire pit in its many incarnations, and there are many ways that the cost of a fire pit can vary.

Made of natural as well as manmade materials, they come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and designs. They must be built with attention and care, however, since they do contain both active fires and smoldering coals for great periods of time.

Firepit installation: 36 inches brick firepit.

Firepit installation: 36 inches in diameter, by material type, labor not included.

Other considerations and costs

• Though the most popular dimensions for a firepit are the 36 to 44-inch sizes, they range in much wider dimensions from 20 and up to 48 inches, and their heights will vary from 12 to 20 inches. Depending on the size and stone used, the average prices might go up or down.
• Fire pits use a variety of “fuels” that can include wood, coal, and gas (which means a tank array must be connected to the fire pit).
• Another of the issues associated with the costs of a fire pit is its location. This can create an entirely different set of fees and expenses. For one thing, it is a common trend for fire pits to be built into a patio. This is usually a space constructed of heat resistant materials and can be quite costly to install in and of itself, averaging around $4,000 or more.
• Landscaping may need to be removed to prevent the risk of fire, including clearing low hanging branches, dry brush, and other issues.
• Leveling the yard or re-sloping is also a common expense and averages around $1,900.
• The costs of permits and other associated fees are not included in any of the pricing listed.

Check out our guide if you need a loan for your home improvement project.

DIY considerations

• With the need for permits and with safety issues associated with the burning of high-intensity fires, it is impossible to consider all fire pits a DIY project. While there are many people who set out to build their own, the best and most long-lasting results are usually going to come from working with experts in landscape architecture, masonry or basic carpentry and who have a background in constructing such items.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.