Relaxing around a fire and under the stars is the place for a perfect night. But at what cost? A built-in fire pit can cost upward of $5,000 for an above-ground, propane-burning brick fire pit without installation. That’s a pricey upgrade, but don’t worry. With these money-saving tips, you can build a fire pit for less than $1,000 — and still have a fabulous one:
1) Choose wood instead of gas. Gas fire pits cost more since you’ll need to hire a plumber to install the gas line and an electrician to power the pit. Installing a wood fire pit doesn’t carry those expenses, saving you several hundred dollars. Plus, who can resist the smoky charm of a wood fire?
2) If you want gas, position it close to your home. Not everyone loves an ashy, smoky fire pit. Instead, opting for the convenience of a gas stove can be more budget-friendly. If so, minimize the length of the gas line. The further the plumber must extend the gas line from your home, the more time and labor it entails. Additionally, you’ll need an electrician to install the necessary wiring for the automatic ignition system..
3) Skip the Built-In Seating. A gravel patio with a fire pit, a flagstone path, and wooden chairs may seem like a wise investment. And stone benches encircling the fire pit exude opulence, but they come at a high price. Built-in benches that seat six with ample personal space can cost as much as the fire pit itself. Instead, opt for resin Adirondack chairs, which can be $150 or less. Not only are chairs budget-friendly, but they’re also more comfortable on your wallet and your backside. While built-in benches may look stylish, they can sometimes be less comfortable.
4) Don’t do custom anything. You can have a fire pit designed just for you. One-of-a-kind. To save money though, stick with a contractor’s standard build. Most offer prefab, modular units that cost at least half as much as a custom build. Custom fire pits can cost as much as $7,000 — just for the pit, that means the patio costs even more.
5) Go with a paver patio. Flagstone gives you the natural beauty of real stone, but it costs $15 to $30 per square foot for patio flooring and $25 per square foot for flagstone pavers. Unless you’re making a one-person pit, that’s going to add up. A paver patio looks manufactured, but it costs $6 to $10 per square foot. Concrete pavers are a good way to cut costs and still have a good-looking patio.
6) Select an (almost) smokeless fire pit. Smokeless fire pits, or smokeless stoves, aren’t entirely smokeless. But even though they’re wood burning, they generate less ash than wood fire pits The list of pros is extensive: durable, easy to maintain, efficient, usually made of stainless steel, and sometimes portable. Keep in mind that some aren’t safe to use on decks, so for those, you’ll need a heat shield or fire pit mat. The price ranges from about $90 to about $600 if you want a high-end Solo Stove.
7) Choose a decomposed granite patio (it’s the cheapest!). It looks like sand. It isn’t fancy. But it’s cheap. A pro can lay it down for as little as $2 a square foot. Very important: Heavy rainfall can wash away a decomposed granite patio. If you live in Phoenix, decomposed granite is a great option. If you live in New Orleans, keep shopping.
8) If your handy, DIY fire pit. You can get a kit for a wood-burning fire pit for $130 and up. (You can buy kits for gas fire pits, too, but they cost a lot more, and you’ll still need to run a gas line.) The easiest fire-pit kits are made of modular stone that you can stack, no mortar necessary. They’re like Legos for grown-ups. Each brick has a raised edge that makes it sit securely on the one below it. The only tool you’ll need is a wrench. But be prepared: These kits can weigh as much as half a ton. Buy one you can have delivered.
Resource:
Houselogic.com
