How Much Does an Outdoor Fireplace Cost to Build?

Average Fireplace Prices by Material

The materials you choose and the type of fireplace all play into final costs. Keep in mind these costs range from prefabricated kits to custom work. However, with custom work, budget and space only limit the design. Additions, like a grill or pizza oven, can jump costs even higher.

Stone

Stone fireplace kits run between $1,500 to $8,000, whereas custom work can easily surpass $20,000. The size of the fireplace will impact your final costs. When choosing a professional, find a reputable mason who specializes in stone.

Brick

Much like stone, brick kits cost between $1,500 and $8,000. Custom work can also exceed $20,000. Both stone and brick are excellent choices for installing a pizza oven, grill, or a complete outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens cost $5,000 to $20,000.

Metal

Metal fireplaces have a modern look and cost between $100 and $20,000. Most metal kits are premade portable fire pits and chimineas, which cost anywhere from $100 to $500. For a built-in metal fireplace, you’ll need to contact a metal worker for a custom project, which can reach or exceed $20,000. Speak with your contractor or designer for a quote.

Costs by Fuel Type

The type of fuel a fire burns dictates the cost of the fireplace. Wood-burning units tend to cost the most, while electric and propane are the most affordable.

Gas

Prefabricated natural gas fireplaces run between $750 to $6,000. Installing the gas line and the fireplace size affects cost. Custom work prices vary depending on the type of material used.

Since the fireplace needs a gas line, obstacles like pools, retaining walls, and decks play into installation costs. Installing the pipe alone costs about $25 per linear foot. Plus, figure any patio, pool, or deck repairs into the cost. However, the upside is a smoke-free, clean fireplace with little or no maintenance and cleaning.

Propane

Propane is a type of gas fireplace with a standalone propane tank. Kits run from $200 to $5,000, though you’ll need to budget another $100 to $500 annually for a propane tank. Burying a propane line will run about the same as a gas line, or $25 per linear foot without any obstacles. Some natural gas types can run propane with a conversion kit for around $50.

Wood-Burning

Wood burning types tend to run between $1,000 to $6,000 for a kit or anywhere up to $20,000 for custom work. Wood burning fireplaces need no lines or connections to the house for most units. Installing electrical lighting, outlets or fixtures will require running a line to your home for an additional $300 to $1,000.

Some disadvantages include regular cleaning and buying or splitting, curing, and storing wood. Many of these models include storage for fire tools, maintenance equipment, and wood.

Electric

An electric outdoor fireplace is nothing more than an electric heater with the look of fire. This type usually comes as an insert for stone, brick, and other types of fireplace surrounds. Some standalone varieties are also available. Inserts and independent units run from $200 to $1,000. Stone and brick surrounds cost between $3,500 to $5,000.

Prefab Fireplace Kits vs. Custom Builds

Pre-fabricated fireplaces are usually the most affordable option, particularly those made of concrete and which burn natural gas or propane. Modular kits are a good compromise between cost, ease of installation, and a custom look. Custom builds tend to cost the most, but the design options are endless. You can have a fireplace designed that burns any type of fuel, fits into any space, is any shape you fancy, and contains extra features like seating, shelving, and a place to cook.

Belgard Kits and Other Top Brands

Installation costs will be about the same across brands when buying kits similar in size and material. Kits are usually modular, meaning you can start with just a fireplace and a mantle, wood boxes, grills, and pizza ovens. As you add on, the price goes up.

Unfinished Fireplace/Contractor Kits

You may consider an unfinished fireplace for between $1,500 to $3,500, then finish it with custom stone veneer for $11.50 to $23.50 per square foot. Unfinished kits—also known as contractor kits or modular kits—are usually unfinished concrete waiting on a veneer. Think of it as a half-prefabricated fireplace with the final look completely customizable. You’ll need to attach veneers made from stone, brick, tile, stucco, or just about any fireproof exterior material. This gives you a price advantage of a prefabricated kit with a completely customizable finished look.

Installation Cost Factors

Outdoor living brings the amenities of relaxation and dining to the outdoors and enhances the beauty of your home. But it all comes at a cost. Location, size, and adding amenities will all come at a price.

Size: Big vs. Small

Size is the single largest factor in your budget. The larger it is, the more it will cost. A small premade fire pit can be as little as $400professionally installed. A 15-foot-tall wood-burning fireplace with a mantle and two wood boxes can easily run $20,000. Your available outdoor space also plays a significant role—some locations have code requirements for chimney heights.

Backyard Location

The distance from your home to the fireplace changes cost only if it needs utilities like gas or electric run to it. Utilities will cost about $15 to $25 per linear foot. An extra 25 feet can end up costing you an extra $600 or more.

Chimneys

Wood burning and some gas-burning outdoor fireplaces require chimneys for venting. The cost of a chimney runs between $100 to $200 per linear foot for an outdoor fireplace, depending on length, width, and height, for a total cost of $1,000 to $2,000. Prefab and modular kits have chimneys already installed.

Labor

Brick repair costs about $45 to $75 per hour in masonry labor. A small fireplace can take a single mason just a few hours to install, but a large custom installation can take a multi-person team a week or more to install. 

Maintenance and Repairs

Owning an outdoor space means maintenance, cleaning, and sometimes repairs. An outdoor fireplace needs cleaning just like its indoor counterpart. You’ll spend between $100 to $300 for annual fireplace cleaning.

Weather-damaged stonework repairs cost an average of $450. This usually consists of repairing loose or cracked stone or brickwork due to weather damage. Some fireplace repairs cost upwards of $3,000. Repairing cracks early stops them from becoming worse.

DIY vs. Hiring a Local Contractor

You can buy some custom plans online for about $50. Add materials for anywhere from $500 to $5,000 or more depending on material type and the fireplace size. Installing a premade kit only requires about two to four hours of labor, coming in between $200 and $1,500.

When it comes to custom work, it’s mostly labor costs—running anywhere from $70 to $150 or more depending on your location and the type of materials you choose. To meet code requirements and safety concerns, it’s best to consult a professional contractor before starting any fireplace installation. You can hire a landscape designer to oversee the project.

Cheap DIY Material Costs

When it comes to a fireplace, trying to find the lowest cost materials isn't the best idea, because of the risk of fire damage if the fire escapes the fireplace. Or the risk of a faulty gas line, or the danger of incorrect bricks exploding in the heat because true fire bricks were too costly. 

You can, however, shop around to see if you can find a good deal on high-quality materials. And you can spend more on materials and less on labor by doing some of the finishing touches, like adding veneer, yourself. 

DIY Outdoor Fireplace Costs

To build a DIY outdoor fireplace, the costs will mainly include materials, like brick and mortar, as well as tools.

Tips for Hiring a Masonry Builder

It’s important to hire the best masonry builder to create your outdoor fireplace exactly as you want it. To do that, you should: 

• Get multiple quotes.

• Compare reviews and past work.

• Look for a mason who specializes in outdoor living spaces.

Low Cost DIY Fireplace Solutions

Because you're dealing with fire, trying to find a low-cost solution isn't a smart move. If a regular outdoor fireplace is outside of your budget, consider opting for a firepit instead. Building an outdoor firepit costs between $300 and $1,400, and still provide a great focal point for your outdoor entertaining space. 

FAQs

Can you cook with an outdoor fireplace?

Yes, you can cook with an outdoor fireplace, if you have the right additions. You can build in a pizza oven, add a rotisserie for cooking skewered meats and veggies, or add a hook and chain for suspending a large pot or Dutch oven for soups, stews, and other one-pot meals. And, of course, you can add a grill plate for the traditional barbecue cookout. These cooking appliances have a wide variation in price and lead time, so make sure you know what you want and have everything ordered before you start construction.

How close can an outdoor fireplace be to the house?

As a general rule, fireplaces have to be at least 10 feet from property lines and combustible materials and should be 15 feet away from a residence. But the exact regulations about how close an indoor fireplace can be to a house will depend on the codes in your location. 

What’s the difference between an outdoor fireplace and a fire pit?

Fireplaces usually have a chimney to pull smoke up and away from the immediate area, and the fire is contained in a hearth or firebox. A firepit has no chimney, so smoke can billow around the seating area, and the fire is less contained, as it's in an open pit.