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To build a patio with a built-in fire pit, expect to pay an average of $6,750. The cost to build a patio alone is an average of $3,500. Although the cost of construction is higher, the patio and fire pit combination offers a better resale value than a patio alone or a patio with a fire pit add-on.

Well-seasoned hardwoods like oak, maple, hickory, and ash are the cleanest woods to burn in a fireplace. When properly dried, these woods have low moisture content, allowing them to burn hotter and produce less smoke, which minimizes creosote buildup. Ensure the wood is seasoned for at least six months for optimal burning.

Wood is classified as either hardwood or softwood. For firewood, hardwoods are generally the best choice as they tend to burn longer, hotter, and produce less smoke than softwoods. Recommended hardwoods include oak, hickory, maple, cherry, ash, beech, birch, elm, and walnut. Oak is a particularly good option as it's widely available, slow-burning, and doesn't produce much smoke or sparks. Some woods, like oak, hickory, and cherry, also emit a pleasant scent. It is best to avoid softwoods such as eucalyptus, poplar, and willow, as they create a lot of smoke and have a high moisture content that makes them difficult to light and burn efficiently.

Removing and demolishing a fireplace is extremely labor intensive work that also takes a long time. You need to use brute strength to break apart the brick and masonry, and carry the debris to a dumpster. Depending on the size of the structure, you may need multiple days to fully remove it. After removal, you need to determine how you will repair the wall that held the fireplace, which can also be quite time consuming and challenging.