How Much Does a Fire Pit Installation Cost? [2025 Data]

There’s nothing better on a crisp, cool night than sitting by the warmth of a fire pit, not to mention the fun everyone can have with roasting marshmallows. It’s a feature that adds an instant upgrade to your outdoors. The average cost to build a 36-inch above-ground fire pit that burns propane is $850, with average prices ranging from $200 to $3,000. You can expect the cost of an in-ground fire pit to be higher—as much as $5,000—but the size, material, and fuel type all impact the cost.

Fire Pit Installation Cost by Type

Fire pits are available as in-ground or above-ground installations. Which one you choose depends on your budget, the size of the fire pit you want, and which aspects you find best fit your needs.

Above-Ground

Above-ground fire pits cost between $200 and $1,500 to install, all in. Above-ground fire pits are fairly safe for pets and children, as long as they're used with supervision because the retaining wall provides a natural barrier. Raised above the surface of your yard or patio, these units make a real focal point. 

However, because the fire is raised above ground level, there's a greater risk of sparks or embers floating and setting fire to grass, bushes, trees, or structures. 

In-Ground

In-ground fire pits cost between $1,000 and $3,000. They're more expensive than their above-ground counterparts because they require more labor to install. If you hire a local handyperson to install an in-ground fire pit, they'll first need to excavate the area to build the fire pit below ground level.

If you want the fire pit built into an existing patio, expect to pay up to $5,000 for the project, as this creates a lot more physical labor.

In-ground units are considered a lower fire risk because the fire is below ground level, so there's less chance of flying embers igniting something. However, there's no safety wall, so in-ground pits are less safe if you've got pets or children.

Portable

Portable fire pits cost between $75 and $500. This type of fire pit is easy to install, versatile, and more affordable than more permanent options, allowing you to have a fire pit without high costs. Ceramic and metal are popular materials used for portable fire pits, making them lightweight. You also don’t have to factor in installation costs, as portable fire pits are very DIY-friendly. 

Fire Pit Installation Cost by Size

You can build a fire pit of almost any size you want, but there are some standard sizes your pro will likely recommend. Take a look at the most common fire pit sizes and how much you can expect to pay for each.

Fire Pit Cost by Size

You can build a fire pit of almost any size you want, but there are some standard sizes your pro will likely recommend. Take a look at the most common fire pit sizes and how much you can expect to pay for each.

Fire Pit Installation Cost by Material

Fire pits can be made from all kinds of materials, as long as they're fireproof. Concrete is one of the most common and is a budget-friendly option, with prices starting at $200, including installation. Natural stone is the most expensive, with costs reaching $3,000 or more. 

Take a look at the typical prices of 36-inch fire pits constructed from the most popular materials.

Concrete

Concrete fire pits cost between $200 and $1,000. At the lower end, basic concrete blocks make a purely functional fire pit, with no decorative features. Toward the upper end, you'll find concrete fire pits that mimic other materials, such as stone, and ultra-contemporary fire pits with sleek, modern finishes. Concrete is durable and budget-friendly, but it's bulky and heavy, too. 

Stainless Steel

For a 360-inch stainless steel fire pit, expect to pay between $250 and $1,200. Stainless steel is common for portable fire pits but can be used in built-in ones, too. It's lightweight, corrosion resistant, holds up to intense heat and inclement weather, and is suitable for use with all fuel types. 

Because it's thermally conductive, a steel fire pit radiates heat, so it's a great choice for climates with cooler weather.

Brick

Brick fire pits cost between $30 and $2,200. These offer a high-end look and match particularly well with brick homes. Aside from the appealing look, brick is a popular fire pit option because it absorbs and slowly radiates heat, even after the fire inside goes out, so you'll stay toasty warm while entertaining your buddies on chilly evenings. 

With brick, it's important to remember that the interior layer that comes into direct contact with the fire needs to be firebrick for safety. If you try to use pavers or regular house brick on the inside, it can crack and explode, ruining your fire pit and posing a serious safety hazard for anyone nearby.

The exterior layer is usually the more decorative brick pavers. They absorb the heat from the firebricks and radiate it out into the surrounding air, keeping everyone warm and cozy.

Stones

Stone fire pits cost $350 to $3,000. Because the materials are natural, each fire pit is unique and contains a variety of colors, shapes, and textures. For fire pits, choose dense, non-permeable stones, which are either metamorphic or igneous, such as granite, feldspar, basalt, quartzite, and soapstone. 

These types of stones don't absorb or retain moisture and have high heat tolerance. Plus, unlike soft-structured sedimentary rocks, these ones won't explode when exposed to the heat of a fire pit. 

Fire Pit Installation Cost by Fuel Type

The fuel you want to burn has a big part to play in the cost of the fire pit and the ongoing running costs. There are also pros and cons to each fuel type, and which one you choose depends on your location, safety concerns, and preferences.

Charcoal

Charcoal fire pits typically cost $250 to $350, or an average of $300. They are budget-friendly and considered safer than wood. Their increased safety lies in the way charcoal burns compared with wood. 

Charcoal doesn't send up sparks or embers, so it won't cause unintended fires. And it doesn't produce much, if any, smoke, so it won't make your clothes take on that distinctive campfire smell.

Propane

Propane-burning fire pits are priced between $300 and $950, with most people paying around $625. Propane gives off less heat than wood or charcoal, but it burns cleanly and efficiently. Propane fire pits do require some maintenance, as the fire ring that produces the flames can easily get dirty and clogged.

And you'll need to keep the pit topped up with firestones or similar to simulate the look of a real fire. You'll also need to periodically replace the propane tank with a full one when the old one empties. Unlike natural gas pits, propane models don't connect to a main gas line. Instead, they use gas bottles that need replacing or refilling.

Wood-Burning

Expect to pay around $650 for a wood-burning fire pit, or between $300 and $1,000. Wood is the traditional and most common fuel type for fire pits, and the fire pits and wood for fuel are both budget-friendly. However, wood is dangerous because of the potential for embers and sparks starting an unintended fire and potentially causing costly fire damage to your property.

Wood fire pits are popular because of their low cost, easy installation, and traditional, campfire feel and smell. And they tend to burn hot. But they're also messy, and you'll need to clean them out and dispose of the ash regularly. And wood burns faster, so it needs replenishing the whole time you're actively using the pit.

With wood fire pits, there are also often strict local rules governing their use, so before you go building one, make sure you understand the local regulations. In some areas, you can only use a wood-burning fire pit on certain days or at certain times of the year. 

Electric

Electric fire pits generally cost between $350 and $1,500, with most people paying around $925. With an electric ignition and gas fuel source, electric fire pits burn efficiently, cleanly, and safely.

When the ignition is engaged, it heats up until it reaches a high enough temperature to light a pilot light. The pilot light heats a thermocouple. The thermocouple converts the heat into an electrical charge, then that charge activates the gas valve. At this point, the gas is released and starts to burn, generating the fire pit flames and heat.

It's this multi-step ignition process that makes electric fire pits so safe.

Natural Gas

The average price of a natural gas fire pit is $1,700. Prices range between $400 and $3,000. Natural gas fire pits are extremely efficient. Compared to wood, for example, they are 99% more efficient.

Like propane, natural gas doesn't produce as much heat as wood, but these fire pits have long lifespans, are low-maintenance, and carry a higher resale value compared to other types when homeowners sell their property.

Before considering a gas versus wood fire pit or another material, keep in mind these fire pits are more costly because they require natural gas lines to work, so the cost of running a new gas line is included in the installation fee.

Additional Fire Pit Installation Cost Factors

In addition to the materials, size, and fuel type, other factors can influence the cost of installing a fire pit, including the shape, whether a gas line is needed, labor, permits, and add-ons. 

Shape

While you can have fire pits in any shape you want, hexagonal, round, square, or rectangular are the most common. Hexagonal fire pits are the most affordable and, like round models, are great for hosting large gatherings inclusively, with everyone seated equidistantly from the center. Round and hexagonal fire pits tend to be more about function than form.

"You can buy kits through landscape supply companies with blocks pre-cut in a circular shape," says Tara Dudley, Angi Expert Review Board member and owner of Plant Life Designs. "This makes it easier to install than cutting every piece of stone individually."

Square and rectangular models are more expensive and tend to have more formal or contemporary designs. They're often decorative, with colorful mosaic finishes or sleekly modern aesthetics.

Gas Line Installation

Installing a gas line costs between $15 to $25 per linear foot. Hire a local natural gas plumber to safely install your gas line for your fire pit to reduce hazards. 

Labor

The cost to hire a fire pit installer near you is roughly 50% of the project's cost, ranging from $400 to $500. Labor costs can quickly rise if the project is large or unexpectedly complex, or the location isn't easily accessible. Similarly, you'll pay significantly more for labor if you're installing a large in-ground unit. 

If your fire pit is more complex and requires electricity or a natural gas line, you’ll also need to hire a local electrician and a plumber in your area. Here’s a breakdown of hourly labor costs by the type of contractor:

• Handyperson: $60 to $125 per hour 

• Electrician: $50 to $100 per hour

• Natural gas plumber: $45 to $200 per hour

Permits

Permits vary from region to region, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $500 for a building permit. If you need to build a deck or patio around your fire pit, your permit will be more expensive. 

Add-Ons

In addition to your new fire pit, you might want to amplify the space around your fire pit or install safety features. These add-ons can increase the project cost, so refer to the following price ranges to budget accordingly:

• Fire glass: $20–$200 per 10-pound bag

• Fire grate: $50–$300

• Fire pit cover: $25–$30

• Fire pit seating: $150–$3,500

• Lava rocks: $20–50 per bag

• Patio: $2,000–$6,100

• Safety screen: $75–$300

DIY Fire Pit Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

You can potentially build a simple fire pit yourself, and you'll save around 50% of the project total, because you won't be paying any labor costs.

However, heavy materials, such as brick, concrete, and stone, are costly to transport, consuming a lot of fuel and putting a lot of weight and wear and tear on your vehicle. 

Building anything more than a rudimentary above-ground fire pit is extremely hard work, too, so this isn't a project you'd want to tackle unless you're physically fit. Building an in-ground fire pit is more complex and time-consuming because you have to excavate the area first.

Note that you cannot run a natural gas line or electrical lines yourself, so even if you build the fire pit yourself, if it has an electric ignition or burns natural gas, you'll need to hire the right pro to run the lines and connect the fire pit.

Does a Fire Pit Installation Add Value to Your Home? 

Fire pit installations have an average return on investment (ROI) of 67% to 80%, making them a better investment than outdoor fireplace installations, which come with an average ROI of 56%. The type of fire pit you choose plays a role in how much value you’ll see, with gas fire pits offering the most value when compared to a wood fire pit.

How You Can Save Money While Installing a Fire Pit

With a few tricks up your sleeve, you can save on the cost of your fire pit so that you don’t break the bank. Follow these tips to lower your expenses:

• Choose a portable fire pit over an in-ground one. 

• If you want a permanent fire pit, opt for an above-ground installation.

• Go for a smaller diameter size.

• Pick concrete or stainless steel over brick or natural stone materials.

• Charcoal and wood-burning fire pits save you on the additional installation costs that come with choosing a gas or electric fire pit.

• Choose a hexagonal fire pit shape over a square or rectangular one.

• Skip the unnecessary add-ons.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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