Fire pit installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What fire pit installation is

Fire pit installation builds a fire pit with a stable base, a fire-rated stone or steel ring and the right clearances from structures, or hooks up a gas version with a line, burner and shutoff. People add one to gather outdoors, extend the use of a patio or yard into the evening, or add a warm focal point to a landscape.

Signs you need it

  • You want an outdoor gathering spot that works in the evening and in cooler months
  • A patio or yard has room for a fire pit, but the current setup is portable and awkward
  • You want a gas fire pit with a clean, on-demand flame and no wood to haul
  • A fire ring or pit is cracked, sinking or unsafe and needs to be rebuilt
  • You want a built-in look that matches your patio, walls and landscape

What the pro does

  • The installer checks the site for clearances from the house, fences, trees, overhead branches and property lines
  • A level base is built with compacted gravel or a concrete pad, sized for the ring or pit
  • A fire-rated ring, stone or steel insert is set and leveled, with the bottom protected from heat and moisture
  • For a gas pit, the gas line, the burner, the valve and the shutoff are installed by a licensed gas contractor
  • The fire pit is tested, the clearances are confirmed, and the installer explains how to use and shut it down safely

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Pit size, shape and material, such as stone, steel or a prefabricated insert
  • Gas or wood-burning type, since gas adds line, burner and valve work
  • Length of the gas line from the house or the meter, and the trenching it requires
  • Base type, such as gravel or a poured pad, and how much excavation is needed
  • Clearances that force a different location or a change in the design
  • Surrounding seating, lighting or hardscape that is part of the plan
  • Permits and inspections that apply to the type of pit you choose

What a written quote should spell out

  • The pit size, material and insert type, with the fuel type named
  • The base method and the depth of any gravel or concrete
  • The clearances from structures and the location on the site
  • For gas: the line length, burner, valve, shutoff and who does the gas work
  • Permit and inspection work included or quoted separately
  • The warranty on the pit, the burner and the connections

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What clearances do you use from the house, fences, trees and overhead branches?
  • Who does the gas work, and are they licensed where my area requires it?
  • Is the pit rated for the fuel and the heat it will see?
  • How is the base built, and what keeps the ring from sinking or shifting?
  • What permits and inspections does this project need?
  • How do I shut the fire down, and is there a manual shutoff for the gas?
  • What is the warranty on the burner and the ring?

Red flags

  • They place the pit close to the house, a fence, a tree or overhead branches without checking the clearance
  • They install a gas pit without a licensed gas contractor or a leak test
  • They build the pit on soft or unstable ground with no base
  • They use a ring or stone that is not rated for fire
  • They skip permits and inspections when the work needs them

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can set a prefabricated, wood-burning fire pit or a fire-rated ring on a level, compacted base, after checking the clearances. Do not install or connect a gas line, burner or shutoff yourself, since a gas leak or a bad connection can be deadly. Call a licensed gas contractor for any gas work, and check the clearance and permit rules before you build anything in the yard.

Licenses and permits

Gas fire pits often require licensed gas work, and wood-burning pits may need permits depending on the location and the local rules. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your permit office before you hire or build, and confirm the clearances that apply.

Fire pit installation questions

How far should a fire pit be from the house?

The distance depends on the pit type, the materials of the house and the local rules. Ask the installer for the clearances in writing, and check them with the manufacturer's instructions and your permit office before the pit is placed.

Can I convert my wood fire pit to gas?

Usually not. Converting a pit to gas needs a burner designed for it and a licensed gas contractor to run the line. Ask the installer whether your pit can be converted, or whether a gas unit is the better choice.

Do I need a permit for a fire pit?

Some areas require a permit for gas pits and some wood-burning pits, depending on location and size. Check with your local permit office, and ask the installer who will handle it.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More lawn, landscaping and trees guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request fire pit installation