How Much Does an Outdoor Fireplace Cost?
Normal range: $1,500 - $8,000
The average cost of an outdoor fireplace is $1,500 to $8,000, with a national average of $3,000. Consider a prefab kit for a budget-friendly option.
Spending time outside on warm summer evenings is one of life’s simple pleasures, but adding an outdoor fireplace can extend your outdoor season well beyond the warmer months. On average, it’ll cost you around $3,000 for an outdoor fireplace, though the price can range from $1,500 to $20,000, depending on several factors. From customized outdoor kitchen spaces to simple prefabricated fireplace kits, this guide will help you understand outdoor fireplace costs, depending on your space, style, and budget.
- Average
- $3,000
- Low end
- $1,500
- high end
- $20,000
Outdoor Fireplace Cost Factors
Adding a fireplace to your yard will vary depending on the style and type you choose to install.
Materials
Prefab or customizable kits: $200 to $3,500
Veneer for customizable kits: $11.50–$23.50 per square foot
If you are building from scratch, additional materials may include:
| Material | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stacked stones or brick | $0.50 – $1 each |
| Masonry or cinder blocks | $2 each |
| Masonry mortar | $25 for 10 pounds |
| Concrete | $25 for 55 pounds |
| Lumber | $8 – $50 |
| Screws | $30 for 5 pounds |
| Nails | $35 for 10 pounds |
| Masonry drill bits | $12 |
| Chimney cap | $50 – $70 |
Accessories
For a wood-burning fireplace, you may want to buy an attractive wood holder where you can keep stacked wood ($50–$100) and fireplace tools such as poker, hearth brush, etc. ($50).
Tools
If you are installing a prefab or building an outdoor fireplace from scratch, you may also need:
| Tool | Cost |
|---|---|
| Trowel | $6 |
| Tape measure | $20 |
| Level | $20 |
| Nail gun | $150 – $250 |
| Drill | $200 |
| Shovel | $12 |
| Gloves | $15 |
| Protective eyewear | $10 |
Labor
Generally speaking, for custom fireplace work, expect to pay $70 to $150 per hour, depending on the material type and the difficulty of the project. You can also consider buying a custom plan, your own materials, and hiring help for the installation, or hire help to install a prefab kit, which will likely take two to four hours and cost $200 to $1,500.
Permits
Depending on where you live, there will likely be permit costs associated with the work in your yard. There may also be restrictions on the type of chimney you can have and the height.
Outdoor Fireplace Cost by Type
Before you break out the graham crackers and marshmallows, you’re going to have to decide on the type of outdoor fireplace you want to buy. And when it comes to buying an outdoor fireplace, there are three general categories—prefabricated, contractor kits, and custom. The price difference between them can be significant.
Prefab Kits
Ready to assemble and install, prices for prefabricated kits range from $200 for a simple outdoor fire pit to a large stone-veneer fireplace for around $9,000.
Custom Outdoor Fireplace
While it can be pricier, a custom outdoor fireplace is a great option for homeowners who are rethinking their outdoor living space, have the budget, and want the fireplace to be the focal point. The outdoor fireplace cost for custom work runs from $8,000 to $20,000 and up. You will need to talk with a local masonry company to get a better idea of what your budget can buy you.
Contractor Kits
These are essentially prefabricated outdoor fireplaces left unfinished. You then add your own custom finish with veneers made from stone, brick, tile, or other fireproof material. The costs range from $1,500 to $3,500 for the unfinished kit. Stone and other custom veneers range from $11.50 to $23.50 per square foot.
Most outdoor fireplaces are wood, electric, gas, or propane, and the prices can range from $200 for a basic electric unit or wood fire pit to $6,000 and up for a gas or propane model.
Gas
Prefabricated gas fireplaces cost from $750 to $6,000. The size of the fireplace affects the cost. For installation of a gas pipe alone, expect to pay at least $25 per linear foot. Costs can go up depending on where the lines need to run.
Propane
This is essentially a gas fireplace that has its own propane tank, much like a propane grill. A propane gas fireplace kit will run from $200 to $5,000, plus an annual cost of $100 to $500 for the propane tank. The cost of the gas line for propane is similar to that above: about $25 per linear foot.
Wood
Wood-burning outdoor fireplace kits are $1,000 to $6,000. For custom work, expect more (up to $20,000). Additional costs include the cost of wood and fireplace accessories.
Electric
An electric outdoor fireplace kit can either be a prefabricated, ready-to-go kit or you can buy an insert and surround separately to get more of that outdoor fireplace look. The price can range from $200 to $1,000 for an insert or an independent unit. You can also buy a stone or brick surround for $3,500 to $5,000.
Outdoor Fireplace Cost by Style
With so many options, your outdoor fireplace cost can vary quite a bit depending on the style you want.
Stone
Stone fireplace kits can range from $1,500 to $8,000, whereas custom stonework can cost $20,000 or more.
Brick
Similar to stone, kits will run between $1,500 to $8,000. Custom work can also exceed $20,000. Both stone and brick are the preferred choices for installing a pizza oven, grill, or a complete outdoor kitchen for $2,000 to $20,000.
Metal
Prefab metal fireplaces are limited to premade, portable fire pits, which can range from $100 to $500. Built-in metal fireplaces are highly customized and require a skilled metal worker.
Clay
The most common type of clay fireplace is a chiminea, a very inexpensive portable, premade type of firepit. They cost anywhere from $100 to $500.
Outdoor Fireplace Cost by Budget
Having an outdoor fireplace can transform your backyard into a cozy outdoor oasis, and the features and materials are limited only by your budget.
$500
A small tabletop fireplace with a pizza oven, handmade stone fire pit, or a prefabricated fire pit or a clay chiminea are all options at this budget. Whichever you choose will surely enhance your existing patio or backyard area.
$1,000
Choose from a prefabricated fire pit, a higher-end outdoor pizza oven, material for a DIY brick or clay oven, or a basic metal outdoor fireplace kit installed by the homeowner at this level. These can look more “fireplace” like and less like a fire pit.
$2,000
At this price point, you can get a fireplace with an outdoor pizza oven professionally installed or an unfinished prefab kit you can customize. Usually, the pizza oven is wood-fired or electric and doesn’t require any gas line installation.
$5,000
For $5,000, you can get a custom brick fireplace installed or a customizable prefab kit (installed by the homeowner). You may be able to get a gas-powered outdoor fireplace with some labor for this budget as well.
$10,000
At this price point, you can get a custom fireplace (stone, brick, clay), including labor. Essentially, you should be able to get nearly any fireplace you want (gas, electric, or wood), including the cost of installation.
$20,000
This level will get you the custom fireplace of your dreams (stone, brick, clay), including labor. Many homeowners make their fireplace the focal point and can get a modest patio or outdoor space redesign as part of this budget.
Prefabricated, electric kits that you can install yourself are, by far, the least expensive option, but it’s important to consider if this is part of a bigger outdoor kitchen or patio redesign. If you enjoy spending most of your time outdoors, you may increase your budget to get what you really want.
You can save money building the fireplace yourself, but if you are going with propane or gas, you will need to consult a local professional.
How Much Does It Cost to Build an Outdoor Fireplace Yourself?
If you are considering the do-it-yourself route to save on the outdoor fireplace cost, you’ll need to take the following into consideration: the style of fireplace you want, type of materials, tools needed for install, and any permitting.
For example, a handmade outdoor fire pit will cost you very little ($200), but something like a custom stone fireplace requires more skill and tools, so it can cost closer to $5,000. This is still significantly lower than custom masonry or stonework, but you should know what you are doing to ensure it will last through the seasons and years.
Depending on how handy you are, where you want to install it, and whether or not you have the tools on hand, the total cost for DIY install can fluctuate anywhere from $200 to $5,000 or more.
Audrey Bruno contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cozy fireplace can extend your outdoor living area well beyond the summer season, but just like an indoor fireplace, it’s going to require regular fireplace cleaning and maintenance. You can hire a local professional to clean your chimney for an annual fireplace cleaning, which will typically cost between $100 and $300.
Depending on how harsh your outdoor climate is, or other inclement weather, repairs will likely be a factor at some point. Damaged or cracked stonework or brick can cost anywhere from $450 to $3,000, depending on the extent of the damage.
An outdoor fireplace is a home improvement projects with one of the best returns on investment (ROI). Adding an outdoor fireplace could boost your home’s value by as much as 20 percent. So in addition to improving your quality of life while you’re still living in your house, you’re poised to make more money should you decide to sell your home one day in the future.
Building a simple outdoor fireplace or brick oven can be a fun weekend project but the cost of materials can add up quickly. If you are considering a larger fireplace, a stone masonry fireplace, or any kind of gas fireplace, you will want to consult a fireplace company first.
Gas line installation is dangerous and should be done by a local pro to ensure your family’s safety.
If an elaborate outdoor kitchen or wood-fired pizza oven isn’t in your budget, consider a simple fire pit. Portable ones can be moved around your yard, and DIY ones can be easily achieved in an afternoon for under $200.