A fire pit costs about $850 installed on average, but the real range runs from $200 for a portable bowl to $5,000+ for a custom in-ground build. Where you land comes down to five things: the type of pit, its size, the materials, the fuel, and whether you DIY or hire it out. Here’s the full cost breakdown so you can budget before you call a single contractor or buy your first fire pit.
TL;DR: A fire pit averages around $850 installed, ranging from ~$200 (portable) to $5,000+ (custom in-ground). DIY drops materials to $50 to $1,000; professional installation runs $250 to $4,000+. Gas pits cost the most, since a gas line adds $500 to $1,500, while wood and portable pits are the cheapest way in.
Five factors move the price more than anything else. Get a handle on these and you can estimate your own build within a few hundred dollars.
Type. The format sets the baseline: in-ground pits run $300 to $5,000, above-ground $200 to $1,500, and portable $75 to $500. In-ground costs the most because of digging and construction labor.
Size. Bigger pits use more material and more labor. Small (24-36”) runs $150 to $500, medium (36-60”) $500 to $1,500, and large (60”+) $1,300 to $4,500.
Materials. Metal is cheapest at $75 to $300, concrete $150 to $800, brick $300 to $1,500, and natural stone the priciest at $500 to $4,000. Stone and brick look best but demand masonry skills or a pro.
Fuel. Wood-burning pits run $75 to $1,500, electric $100 to $500, and gas $300 to $4,000, plus that gas line. If you’re weighing fuels, our gas vs. wood breakdown covers the trade-offs beyond price.
Labor. DIY keeps it to materials ($50 to $1,000), while a professional install runs $250 to $4,000+ at roughly $50/hour (more for custom masonry).
A custom in-ground pit is the permanent centerpiece, and the priciest. Professional installation typically breaks down as consultation ($99 to $250), excavation ($200 to $500), materials transport ($50 to $150), and construction labor ($300 to $1,500), landing around $700 to $3,500 total. With permits and skills, it’s doable as a DIY to save the labor.
Freestanding above-ground units run $500 to $1,700 installed and make a good weekend DIY, especially from a prefab kit. You skip the excavation, which is where in-ground budgets balloon.
The budget-friendly, move-anywhere option. A basic steel bowl runs $100 to $300, a decorative tabletop bowl $250 to $500, and a deluxe pit with screen and log rack $400 to $900. No installation cost at all: you set it down and light it.
The pit itself is only part of the budget. Plan for:
| Cost factor | Low end | Average | High end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Portable ($75) | Above-ground ($850) | Custom in-ground ($5,000+) |
| Size | Small ($150) | Medium ($850) | Large ($4,500+) |
| Materials | Concrete ($150) | Brick ($850) | Natural stone ($4,000+) |
| Fuel | Electric ($100) | Wood ($850) | Gas ($4,000+) |
| Install | DIY ($50) | Professional ($850) | Custom pro ($4,000+) |
| Permits | $0 | $50 | $150 |
If you have moderate DIY skills, a portable or above-ground pit is a realistic weekend project that saves the entire labor bill. Custom natural-stone and in-ground builds are where a pro earns their fee: masonry and excavation demand tools and experience most homeowners don’t have, and a botched job is expensive to fix. When in doubt, get two or three quotes before deciding. Either way, our fire pit buyer’s guide helps you lock in the type and material first.
A built-in fire pit typically runs $1,500 to $7,000, depending on the material, fuel type, and design complexity. Natural stone and integrated gas lines push you toward the top of that range.
Building it yourself is almost always cheaper. DIY materials run $50 to $500 for a simple pit, versus $300 to $2,500 for a prefab unit you assemble. Buying wins on speed and finish quality, not cost.
Yes. A well-built fire pit is a desirable outdoor-living feature that can help a home show better and sell faster, though the exact return depends on local buyer preferences and build quality.
Often, yes. Most areas require a permit for a permanent fire pit, usually $25 to $150. Rules vary widely by city and county, so confirm with your local zoning office before you build.
Budget around $850 for a typical fire pit, then adjust up or down based on type, size, materials, and fuel. Decide your top priority first, whether that’s lowest cost, most heat, or least hassle, and the right build (and price) falls out from there. DIY a simple pit to save big, or hire a pro for a custom stone centerpiece that lasts decades.
Andy Wu is the resident backyard products expert and hails from Atlanta, Georgia. His passion for crafting outdoor retreats began in 2003.
As a fellow homeowner, he founded Backyard Oasis to provide top-quality furnishings and equipment, collaborating with leading manufacturers.
His main focus is on sheds and generators!
In his spare time he like to hike the tallest mountains in the world and travel with his family.
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