Professional fire pit installation typically costs $200 to $3,000 in 2026, and up to about $5,000 for an in-ground pit built into an existing patio, according to Angi. A custom stone or block pit runs $325 to $2,000 on average, per HomeGuide, while natural gas pits with a new gas line can reach $3,500 to $8,000. Add a paver patio around the pit and a full project often lands between $2,200 and $6,800.
Those are published national ranges, not ZGreen prices. Your cost depends on fuel type, how the pit is built, how far a gas line has to run, and whether you need a patio to put it on. Here’s how to choose, what each option costs, and where to put it.
Fire pit options: kit, custom, or built into a patio
Most backyard fire pits fall into three groups. The right one depends on how often you’ll use it and whether you want it to be permanent.
Portable and above-ground pits
Steel bowls and freestanding pits sit on an existing patio or gravel pad. Angi lists portable pits at $75 to $500 and installed above-ground pits at $200 to $1,500. They’re cheap and movable but look temporary.
Block kits and custom-built pits
A segmental block kit stacks into a ring with a steel liner. HomeGuide prices kits at $200 to $700 for materials and custom stone pits at $290 to $3,400 depending on stone. Matching the pit to your patio pavers or wall block makes it look like part of the design.
In-ground pits and fire pit patios
An in-ground pit is set into the patio surface. Angi puts these at $1,000 to $3,000. Most homeowners want a hard surface around the fire for chairs, so the patio often costs more than the pit. HomeGuide prices a stone patio with an integrated fire pit at $2,200 to $6,800 for roughly 144 to 225 square feet.
Wood-burning vs. gas fire pits
Wood-burning pits cost less to install and give real flames, smoke, and crackle. Gas pits cost more up front but light with a switch, produce no smoke, and are easier to use on a weeknight.
| Fuel type | Angi installed range (2026) | HomeGuide installed range (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Wood-burning | $300 to $1,000 | $500 to $6,000 |
| Propane | $300 to $950 | $900 to $2,000 |
| Natural gas | $400 to $3,000 (avg. $1,700) | $3,500 to $8,000 |
Sources: Angi and HomeGuide. The two sources differ because Angi’s figures center on smaller, simpler pits (its $850 average is for a 36-inch above-ground propane pit), while HomeGuide’s include larger custom builds.
Wood-burning
Wood pits have no fuel lines and no burners to maintain. You’ll clean out ash and store firewood. Smoke is the main drawback on small suburban lots, and some towns restrict burning at certain times.
Propane
Propane pits run off a tank hidden in the pit base or a nearby enclosure. No gas line is needed, so installation stays close to wood-burning prices. You’ll swap or refill tanks.
Natural gas
A natural gas pit connects to your home’s gas service through a buried line. Angi lists gas line installation at $15 to $25 per linear foot; HomeGuide puts it at $15 to $50 or more. The farther the pit sits from the gas meter, the more it costs. Gas connections should be made by a licensed professional; ask any contractor how that work is handled and inspected.
What size fire pit do you need?
Most residential pits fall between 36 and 48 inches across. Angi’s 2026 installed ranges by diameter:
- 36 inches: $200 to $900.
- 44 inches: $200 to $1,600.
- 48 inches: $250 to $2,000.
A 36-inch pit suits four to six chairs on a small patio. Go larger only if you have the seating space around it, since the patio has to grow with the pit. Material matters too. Angi prices a 36-inch pit at $200 to $1,000 in concrete and $350 to $3,000 in stone.
Where to put a fire pit
Place the pit well away from the house, on a noncombustible surface, with open sky above it. HomeGuide recommends keeping wood-burning pits at least 15 to 30 feet from the house and gas pits 10 to 15 feet away, with no trees overhead. Angi puts the recommended range at 10 to 25 feet from a house or other structure.
A few more placement points:
- Keep the pit off wood decks and away from fences, sheds, and low branches.
- Think about prevailing wind so smoke doesn’t drift into the house or a neighbor’s yard.
- Leave room for chairs. A ring of seating usually needs more space than people expect.
- Put it where you’ll see it from the house, so it gets used.
Local rules vary by town
Villages across the Fox Valley and the northwest and west suburbs set their own rules for recreational fires. Those can cover setbacks, what you’re allowed to burn, burn hours, and whether a permit is needed for a gas line. Requirements vary by village; we confirm what’s needed before we build. Angi puts permit costs at $20 to $500 where they apply.
What raises fire pit installation cost in northern Illinois
The pit itself is often the smallest part of the bill. These factors move the total most:
- A new patio or seating area around the pit. Angi lists a patio addition at $2,000 to $6,100.
- A long gas line run from the meter.
- Excavation and base prep in clay soil so the pit and patio don’t heave in freeze–thaw.
- Natural stone instead of manufactured block.
- Built-in seat walls, which Angi groups under fire pit seating at $150 to $3,500.
- Tight backyard access that forces hand-carrying block and gravel.
Gas pits also need a burner, a fire-rated pan, and a valve or ignition system. Burner and ignition choices affect the price.
A fire pit needs the same compacted gravel base as a patio. Clay holds water, and water under a heavy stone ring freezes and pushes it out of level. That base is where a well-built pit and a cheap one differ.
For patio pricing, see our paver patio cost guide. If you’re also planning a grill station, our outdoor kitchen cost guide covers what those add.
How a fire pit installation works
- Pick the spot, size, and fuel type, and confirm local requirements.
- Mark and excavate the area for the pit and any surrounding patio.
- Install and compact a gravel base.
- Run the gas line if needed, with connections made by a licensed pro.
- Build the pit ring with a fire-rated liner or insert, then lay the patio.
- Add caps, seat walls, and lighting if planned.
At ZGreen Landscape, most of this is done in-house by our own crew, from site prep and base to the final cap. See examples on our gallery page.
Fire pit care through a northern Illinois winter
A well-built fire pit needs little upkeep, but winter is where small problems start.
- Clear ash from wood-burning pits after use. Wet ash holds moisture against the liner.
- Make sure an in-ground pit can drain. Water that sits in the bowl freezes and can crack block or the liner.
- Cover gas burners or use the manufacturer’s cover over the off-season.
- Shut off the gas at the pit’s valve when it’s not in use for long stretches.
- Check caps and block in spring for anything the frost loosened.
Fire pit installation FAQ
Is a gas or wood fire pit cheaper?
Wood-burning and propane pits are usually cheaper to install. Natural gas costs more because of the buried gas line, which Angi prices at $15 to $25 per linear foot.
Can I put a fire pit on a paver patio?
Yes. Pavers are noncombustible, and many fire pits are built as part of a paver patio. Use a fire-rated liner or insert inside the pit so the block isn’t exposed directly to flame.
How far should a fire pit be from the house?
HomeGuide recommends 15 to 30 feet for wood-burning pits and 10 to 15 feet for gas. Your village may set its own distance, so check before you build.
Do I need a permit for a fire pit?
It depends on your town and on whether a gas line is involved. Requirements vary by village, and we confirm them before we build.
Plan your fire pit
ZGreen Landscape designs and builds fire pits and fire features across the Fox Valley and the northwest and west suburbs. Estimates are free. Call 224-508-0252 or request a free estimate, and we’ll reply within 24 hours.
