What Does a DIY Stone Fire Pit Cost to Build? How to Estimate the Project

Are you thinking about building a stone fire pit in your backyard? Before jumping in, you should consider many different factors, including your total cost. 

You might be wondering things like: 

• Is a fire pit affordable or expensive to build? 
• What are the hidden costs I should be aware of? 
• Should I hire a professional or build it myself?

This article will look at how much a stone fire pit will cost to build yourself—or at least how to get an accurate estimate of what to expect.

Time

The first factor you might want to consider is the amount of time the project will take. What will it cost you in time?

If you are like most DIYers, you are not placing a monetary value on your time. However, if you are like most DIYers, you also have a limited amount of time you can (or want to!) dedicate to the task.

Building a stone fire pit will take most people half a day of research and planning, another half day for shopping, and then about a full day of work. If you’re ready to get started by the time the weekend rolls around, it is essentially a whole weekend project.

Project Materials

The materials for the fire pit itself will most likely cost around $300 (2022). However, you will also need some other materials to build your fire pit effectively.

Gravel and adhesive

You will need gravel for the base, which will cost around $50. You will also need stone adhesive, which will cost only approximately $15. In total, these materials will come to about $375, but you may also need to purchase some tools if you do not have them or don’t have a way to borrow them.

Tools

Building a fire pit requires many different tools. You may already have these or can easily borrow from a friend or family member to keep your costs down.

• Work gloves: $5
• Wheelbarrow: $100
• Pickaxe: $50
• Shovel: $25
• Garden rake: $25
• Hand broom: $20
• Tamper: $35
• Rubber mallet: $15
• Torpedo level: $10
• 24” level: $25
• Tape measure: $15
• Caulk gun: $5

The total cost for the tools could ring up to $330. Again, borrowing from a friend or neighbor is a great way to save money. But if you frequently do outdoor projects and decide to go ahead and purchase the tools, you most likely will use them again, as they are some of the essential tools you will regularly need for DIY projects.

How much money do you save by doing it yourself?

DIYing will always be cheaper for you monetarily, but not in time. 

DIYing a fire pit could cost you $300-$1000, depending on the tools and materials you have available. If you hire a contractor, you will pay between $1000-$1500. However, when calculating your costs, you should also factor in how much time DIYing would take you to see if it is worth the cost difference to you or not.

Should you DIY or hire a hardscape contractor to build your fire pit?

There are benefits and drawbacks to hiring a hardscape contractor, just as there are benefits and disadvantages to building your fire pit.

Contractor benefits

Contractors have all the right tools and will also help you plan and purchase your hardscape materials (or may even do that for you). Contractors also have experience and will give you professional results.

DIY benefits

On the other hand, doing it yourself will save you money. It also means you’ll get some hardscape experience under your belt. This is especially valuable if you plan on doing other projects in the future. DIY is also just a fun way to work outdoors and improve the look and function of your space.

It’s your decision 

Ultimately, the decision is up to you, but now you know what to expect a fire pit project to cost you in time and money.

Get our free project planning guide

If you are ready to start planning your project, download our free Project Planning Guide. It will help you plan all the specific details, whether or not you decide to do it yourself or hire a contractor for the job.