Concrete Services

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Fire Pit?

• Joe Thomas
• 11.10.2022
• 0
• 111

Here at Bankrate, one of our primary missions is to assist you in making more informed choices regarding your finances. Even while we strictly adhere to, this post may include references to items that were created by our collaborators. This is an explanation for the following: ON THIS PAGE Proceed to Open page navigation by clicking here In studies conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architecture, they consistently place high among the most desired characteristics of a design.

1. According to the findings of the 2021 Houzz & Home Study, in the category of outdoor décor improvements, the purchasing of “fire elements” (fire pits, fireplaces) saw a five percentage point increase in 2020.
2. It’s possible that the fire pit’s low price is part of its charm.
3. The cost of constructing a fire pit can range anywhere from $300 to $1,400, with an average cost somewhere between $700 and $850.

Costs are determined by a variety of criteria, including the type of materials used, the dimensions of the fire pit, and any other features purchased. Let’s take a look at the fire pit and talk about the many types, how much they cost, and whether or not you should do it yourself or hire professionals to perform the work.

Is it easy to build a fire pit?

You can construct a fire pit that will provide your entire family with countless hours of entertainment over the course of many years in only a few short hours utilizing simple items such as a shovel and a mallet. – Image courtesy of lowes.com It’s common for houses to have fireplaces or stoves that run on gas, but there’s nothing quite like sitting around a fire pit in your own backyard while gazing at the sky.

If you have a fire pit, you may use it to make a feast of hot dogs on a chilly night during the summer. On the other hand, there is nothing that can compare to a fireside cuddle in your most comfy recliner during the cooler months. A fire pit need not be any more complicated than a hole dug in the ground and some stones piled up around it in a random fashion.

You won’t believe how simple it is to construct a fire pit that is not only noticeably more gorgeous but also significantly safer, one that will get both you and your visitors truly excited about the experience. All it takes is a few hours.

Should a fire pit be dug into the ground?

Which type of fire pit, in-ground or above-ground, would be most suitable for you? – In the event that the fire pit is built in a secure manner, the only major differences between above-ground and in-ground pits are the amount of effort required for the installation and the diversity of the available locations.

An in-ground installation will need you to dig up portion of your backyard, regardless of whether you want to buy a fire pit that is already created or construct your own. In-ground installation may be a nice option for you if you do not find this to be an issue. If you really shouldn’t be digging about in your landscaping, it’s generally preferable to go for an above-ground fire pit instead of digging one in.

Additionally, terrain might be a factor in the game. If the terrain is rocky and difficult to clear, installing an in-ground fire pit may require more effort on your part than you are willing to commit. Digging will be simpler if you’re working in softer ground, but keep in mind that even with an in-ground pit, you’ll still need to put in some effort.

Another important aspect to take into account is adaptability. If you choose to install a fire pit into the ground in your backyard and are certain that the pit will remain in the same location over the course of time, despite the fact that you may alter the appearance of your backyard in the future, there won’t be any issues.

But if you want to be able to move the pit to other sections of the yard, for whatever reason, an above-ground fire pit involves nothing more than lifting and transferring it – you won’t have to re-dig a new pit location. This makes it much easier to move the pit about the yard.

How many stones do I need to make a fire pit?

Important Fact: The sizes of wall blocks might vary depending on the market and the design. Use the quantity that is listed in the materials as a guide, and adjust it either higher or lower depending on your preferences. In general, you should be utilizing around 18 blocks each course; but, if you want to make the fire pit wider, you can add additional blocks.

Also, keep in mind that certain retaining wall blocks have an interlocking lip on the bottom for use in that application, not in stacked block constructions, while you are shopping for wall blocks. (connection to a store where you can buy the insert for the fire pit is needed here) 1 Dig a Hole Create a hole that is circular, 45 inches in diameter, and 6 inches deep.

The first course will be buried rather being placed above ground since this will give a higher level of stability. Make use of your level to check that the depth of the hole is approximately the same all the way around. Steps: 2 Complete the Opening After the hole has been excavated and generally leveled, paver base should be poured into the hole to a depth of about 3 inches.

1. After you have pounded it to the point where it is sufficiently compressed, use your level to ensure that it is exactly even all around.
2. In order to put the finishing touches on the hole, add a handful of paver base to any dips in the hole until it is level all the way around, then use the butt end of your mallet to smooth out any lumps.

Steps: 3 Set the table for the first course. Before going on to the next block while you are laying the first course, check to see that all of the blocks are level. After you have completed putting all of the blocks for the first course, you may use the remaining paver foundation to level the surface and fill in any gaps that may have appeared.

• Steps: 4 Set the Table for the Center Alter the pattern that you use for each lesson such that the courses below are not in sequential order.
• Use landscape adhesive on each course to provide greater adherence, and before moving on to the next course, check to make sure that each course is level.
• Steps: 5 Complete the Work on the Fire Pit After the fourth layer has been laid down and leveled, proceed to place the fire pit insert on top of it.

You won’t have to secure the fire pit to the stones or adhere it with any kind of adhesive. Steps:

How deep should a backyard fire pit be?

The diameter of the hole should be 12 inches, and the depth should be 18 inches. This hole should be filled with big gravel. Dig a trench starting in the middle and working your way outwards if the ground doesn’t drain properly or if there is a lot of precipitation. Dig a hole around ten feet away from the fire pit if you plan on installing a drainpipe.

Can you use regular bricks for a fire pit?

What Kind of Brick Should Be Used for a Fire Pit? – Bricks that are normally used for construction won’t hold up in fire pits because of the high temperatures they can reach. Bricks that aren’t made specifically for use in fire pits are more likely to shatter under the intense heat and provide a greater risk of injury.

• You are going to replace them with firebricks, which are also often referred to as refractory bricks.
• This particular variety of brick is able to resist temperatures that are far higher than those of standard bricks because to the kilning process that it goes through.
• They are a little bit more expensive, but they are the alternative that is the safest and will last the longest.

A quality fire pit that is constructed out of firebricks has the potential to survive for a very long period.

What is a good size for a fire pit area?

People have a tendency to congregate around the fire after it has been started, so make sure there is enough space for everyone. In terms of the available room, you will want to make sure that there is enough seating to accommodate both group activities and comfortable, personal one-on-one conversations.

The actual fire pit itself is often little more than four or five feet across at its widest point. It is recommended that there be an extra four to six feet of patio area surrounding it on all sides. Seat walls are an excellent method to visually define the area while also providing a large number of seating options for occupants.

However, you shouldn’t build walls around the entire area of the room. It is preferable to allow space for seats, standing, as well as traffic for feet. Consider in advance how you want to adorn the room as well. For instance, if you want to use low-slung seats like Adirondack chairs, you should be aware that these chairs will require additional space and you should make your plans accordingly.

What do you put in the bottom of a fire pit?

What should be placed at the base of an outdoor fire pit? – For your fire pit, you should begin by placing a layer of sand at the bottom of the pit. After that, you may cover the sand with gravel, lava rocks, fire pit glass, paving stones, or even bricks. You might even make use of dirt as an alternative.

How far should a fire pit be from a house?

Keep your fire pit a safe distance (between 10 and 25 feet) away from any structures or surfaces that might catch fire. This covers, among other things, your home, trees, shed, car, the property of your neighbors, and wood decking, if you have any. Make sure there aren’t any branches hanging over your fire pit. In most towns, the required clearance height is twenty-one feet.

Does a fire pit need a drain?

4. Drilling a Drainage Hole Fire pits that are installed in the ground or made of metal require a drainage hole to allow water to escape. It is required that you install drainage for your fire pit if you have one that is both open and in the ground in your backyard.

1. If you don’t do this, water will collect within the fire pit, which will cause it to corrode.
2. It can do significant damage to the burner of your fire pit, making it difficult to light.
3. Don’t overlook the necessity of constructing drainage for your fire pit if you haven’t previously done so.
4. You may line the bottom of the fire pit with a layer of gravel that is one foot deep.

You may prevent debris from falling into the gravel by placing a metal grate on top of the gravel. This should provide enough space for water to flow away from our fire pit to the designated spot. It is important to plan for drainage if you built a fire pit on top of a patio slab and left it outside in the rain.

1. You may direct water away from your patio by directing it through a drainage pipe that runs from the bottom of the pit.
2. You may create drainage by removing the bricks or pavers that are underneath the fire pit if you are installing it over brick or pavers.
3. If the bottom of the basin of your metal fire pit does not already have any drainage holes, you might want to try drilling some there.

Because of this, rain water will be able to drain. Additionally, any moisture that may have formed while it was covered with a tarp or another covering will be able to drain away as well. To prevent ash and other material from exiting the fire pit via the holes, you may cover them with a metal shower drain cover.

Does a fire pit need a liner?

Choosing the Right Building Materials for Your Fire Pit – When it comes to the installation of fire pits, one of the most common mistakes we’ve seen is when homeowners or even landscape contractors utilize materials that are not designed to withstand high temperatures.

As was discussed before, if concrete blocks are not designed to heat up, they have the potential to explode. A lot of the time, do-it-yourself fire pits are made with stones and boulders found about the yard without the builder being aware of the heat rating of the individual stones and boulders. These stones are susceptible to cracking and splintering if they are not designed to withstand high temperatures.

Because of this, the design of a fire pit should have an internal liner made of stainless steel. This liner should be positioned so that there is an adequate amount of air space between it and the material that makes up the fire pit. Because of this barrier, the material that makes up the fire pit won’t become dangerously hot and cause any issues.

Do I need a metal ring for a fire pit?

When people are looking into building a fire pit in their backyard, a common concern they have is whether or not a fire ring is required for a fire pit. Understanding the benefits of employing a fire ring in a new fire pit can help you make the proper option depending on your requirements as well as a number of other considerations.

This is true regardless of which direction you ultimately decide to go in. In most cases, a fire pit ring insert is strongly suggested to be used if a person constructs a fire pit with the intent that it would be a fixed component in their backyard. There is a possibility that an insert is not required for your fire pit if its installation is just going to be semi-permanent or temporary.

The usage of a fire pit ring will aid in maintaining the structural integrity of both your fire pit and the surface on which it stands, so safeguarding its long-term attractiveness. In addition, the fire pit’s surface will be protected from damage. Have you ever taken the time to observe that the flue in brick fireplace chimneys (particularly) is lined with metal or ceramic? This liner is what prevents the interior of your chimney from degrading from being subjected to circumstances of high heat (and low heat) on a consistent basis.

What do you put around a fire pit?

13. Surround it with gravel – Gravel is an excellent choice for a natural surrounding for a fire pit, and it should be used to surround it. When the fire is blazing, it won’t leave any apparent charring or ash stains on the cloth, making it an excellent choice for laying down as a surface around your fire pit.

Can I use pavers for a fire pit?

Is It Possible to Install a Fire Pit on a Patio? Important Questions – Before we can get any further, the first thing we need to do is figure out exactly what it is that your project entails. First things first, let’s create some ground rules by discussing these two issues.

Are you adding a fire pit to an installation that already exists, or are you beginning an entirely new installation from the very beginning? What kind of pavers are you using—porous or non-porous? Is it possible that the substance you’re using may catch fire? Depending on how you respond to each of those questions, you will need to take a different strategy to handling the situation.

If you want to add a fire pit to an already established installation, you may build a new one on top of the old one without risking injury as long as the pavers you use are permeable and resistant to flames. If they are not, it is advised that you remove some pavers and expose the ground underneath them so that you may then create your fire pit around it.

Are fire pit kits worth it?

Is it worth it to invest in a Fire Pit Kit? – A good Fire Pit Insert kit is an investment that is both prudent and gratifying, especially if you are willing to put in some work on a weekend day. It quickly adds aesthetic value and makes a welcoming space for family, friends, and guests to congregate by providing stunning sights and a sense of coziness.

• When working with extremely combustible gas lines, it is essential to keep prices low and keep the process as straightforward as possible; the kit accomplishes both of these goals.
• A burner kit will have your fire going strong in a short amount of time, regardless of whether you intend to modernize an existing fire pit or construct your very own fire pit from the ground up.

However, fires are hazardous, metals rust, and costs can be quite different from one another. The job is straightforward, can be completed rapidly, and is quite beneficial. Before you go headfirst into the world of do-it-yourself fire pits, it is important to take into consideration these five fundamental aspects in order to avoid buyer’s remorse.1.Fuel Source 2.

Building Components and Supplies 3.Electronic Ignition System 4.BTU’s5.Accessories FUEL SOURCE Determine first how you intend to provide fuel for the fire. Burners that are of high quality are quite good at imitating a natural flame, and many modern burners come equipped with built-in safety measures such as flame control and an automatic shut-off.

Operating your fire pit could not be simpler if you were to use a control device such as a remote, phone, or tablet. On the other hand, if you value tradition or are looking for the most cost-effective option, you may still choose the conventional wood-burning fire pit.

LOCATION: Always make sure you verify with the requirements of your local municipality. Burning wood is sometimes prohibited owing to the risks of fire and pollution that it presents. If you are trying to decide between natural gas (NG) and propane, keep in mind that some locations may require natural gas if the location of the fire pit is within a certain distance of a natural gas line.

As a result, propane may not be an option for you if the location you want to use for the fire pit is within that distance. If you reside in a HOA, PUD, Condo, or any other type of communal living, you should investigate the fuel alternatives that are available to you.

We are going to examine and contrast the following three types of fuel sources with one another now: Combustion of wood natural gaspropane: either a BBQ tank with a regulator or a tank with a hard lining Natural Gas (NG) Natural gas has a good BTU rating, burns cleanly, and costs less per cubic foot and gallon on average; however, NG is less efficient than propane because it only converts about half as much fuel to energy, and as a result, it may end up costing more.

Propane, on the other hand, converts about twice as much fuel to energy. Because the price difference between these fuels can vary greatly based on both the region and the supply source, it is recommended that you contact the municipal utility office in your area for additional information on this topic.

1. Many people are not bothered by the fact that NG has a less natural appearance (less yellow) as it burns because of the many other beneficial attributes it possesses.
2. In comparison to other fuel sources, natural gas is a clean fuel that significantly cuts emissions.
3. NG needs a hard line to be connected to your fire pit.

While this may initially involve more work, the benefits of not having to store fuel on location (which is safer) and never running out of fuel outweigh the drawbacks. Because gas fuel produces less soot than other types of fuel, your fire will continue to burn brightly for as long as you require it to, and everything will remain clean.

• You won’t have to worry about your flame going out as you would with a propane tank or a wood fire.
• Gas is a solution that is both safe and environmentally friendly since modern technology enables built-in flame control and automatic shut-off.
• Liquid Propane (LP) If you don’t have access to a gas line, liquid propane is a wonderful alternative to consider because it can be operated off of a 20-pound tank for barbecues.

Many contemporary fire pits come with a built-in cabinet that may be used to hide the propane tank, so preserving the pit’s overall beauty. Since LP produces a little bit more soot, there will be more residue to clean up sometimes in order to maintain your fire pit looking its best and ensuring that it continues to function properly.

1. If you are utilizing a 20-pound propane tank, you should be aware that the tank’s maximum output ranges from 90,000 to 125,000 BTU, and you are need to make use of a regulator.
2. The reason why this is significant is because the BTU rating of the 20-pound tank will restrict the sizes of burners that you may choose from to those that have a BTU rating of 125,000 or less.

The use of LP as an energy source is productive. Propane is an alternative that, depending on your region and supplier, may eventually be more cost-effective even if its upfront cost may be higher. Since propane transforms a greater percentage of its fuel into energy, you will consume less of it and it will last longer.

1. Burning with Wood It’s possible that some people still prefer the more conventional, wood-burning fireplace due to the aroma, atmosphere, and sense of nostalgia it provides.
2. In many cities, residents are prohibited from having fire burning pits, and seasonal limits also apply.
3. Be sure to verify the laws and standards that your local municipality has established for using wood in fires.

Burning wood is worse for the environment than burning other materials, and the smoke from it can discolor neighboring surfaces. Because wood fire pits do not have any built-in safety precautions, you will need to keep the flame under control and have a fire extinguisher, some sand, or a bucket of water nearby in order to put out the fire correctly.

How deep should fire pit gravel be?

6. How Deep Do Fire Pits Need To Be? It is normally advised that you dig down anywhere from 6 to 12 inches when creating an in-ground fire pit. Before you throw in your layer of lava rocks or fire pit glass, you need to make sure the ground is as level as it can possibly be.

1. If you want to build a deeper fire pit, you will need to ensure that there is some form of ventilation to ensure that the fire has enough oxygen to burn.
2. If you want to maintain the fire at an appropriate height, you might need to place a fire bowl on top of your stones.
3. If you have young children or dogs and you want to keep them safe from the flames, installing higher walls around a fire pit might be an extremely helpful solution.

There is no question that a taller wall cannot take the place of a vigilant watchman, but it may unquestionably provide an additional layer of protection for families.

Is pea gravel good for fire pits?

Is it possible to use pea gravel for the area surrounding a fire pit? – Pea gravel is an option for the area around a fire pit. Pea gravel is favored by many individuals due to its appealing appearance as well as the ease with which it can be navigated when barefoot.

On the other hand, it doesn’t pack down very firmly, and you’ll need to rake it on a frequent basis in order to maintain it smooth. Because it is kicked around and may get dislodged from the patio border over time, you may find that you need to add additional pea gravel to the patio. A crushed limestone base can serve as the foundation for a gravel patio fire pit, which can then have a layer of pea gravel added on top for aesthetic purposes.

This is one alternative. (Some people employ a similar method with the gravel that they use for the bases of their hot tubs. On top of the crushed stone, artificial grass might also be installed as an alternative option.) Pea gravel, much like crushed stone, poses a risk of explosion if it is employed inside the confines of the fire pit area.