Gathering around the warm glow of a lit fireplace is a great way to spend an evening, especially when it’s outdoors. If you want an outdoor fireplace of your own, you can expect to pay about $3,000 on average, with a typical price range between $1,200 and $21,000. Small scale projects average around $135, while the higher end can be around $30,000.
Of course, these numbers are far from set in stone. They should be used as a ballpark to help you make your budget while you’re planning for your project. Read this helpful cost guide to get a sense of how much an outdoor fireplace will cost you so that you can budget accordingly.
- Average Cost
- Cost Estimator by Type
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
- Cost by Location
- FAQ
Average outdoor fireplace cost in 2024
| Average Price | $3,000 |
| Typical Range | $1,200 – $21,000 |
| Extreme Low-End | $135 |
| Extreme High-End | $30,000 |
As far as home improvement projects go, an outdoor fireplace is on the pricier side. The cost can vary widely depending on a number of factors, namely the fuel source, whether you get a prefabricated fireplace kit or custom job, and the materials.
Average outdoor fireplace cost estimator by type
A significant factor that will affect the cost is whether you choose a prefab fireplace kit, custom-built fireplace, or unfinished contractor kit. Prefabricated fireplaces are typically the most affordable, but your options are limited. You can hire a contractor to build you a custom fireplace design, or you can customize your own fireplace design with an unfinished contractor kit.
Prefab
A prefabricated fireplace (‘prefab’ for short) is a more cost-friendly option than a custom job, with an average range of $1,200 to $8,335. Prefabs are assembled offsite and transported to your home to be installed wherever you’d like.
Custom
If you don’t love the design options that a prefabricated fireplace offers, consider hiring a professional to design and build a custom fireplace that fits seamlessly into your landscape. The possibilities are almost endless and you can get any kind of fireplace you want, from an art deco style to open-hearth. The cost depends on the scope and difficulty of the job, with custom fireplaces going for $6,000 to $21,000 on average.
Unfinished contractor kit
A good medium between a prefab fireplace and a custom one is an unfinished contractor kit, also called a modular kit. A contractor kit is essentially a pre-made concrete framework that you can customize with stone or brick veneer. Adding the materials can be a challenge, but it lets you customize your own fireplace while labor keeping costs down. Unfinished contractor kits run for about $1,250 to $3,750 on average (veneer materials not included).
Other factors that affect cost
When it comes to an outdoor fireplace, there are many factors that can drive up the overall cost. Thankfully, these are well within your control, so you shouldn’t have any trouble keeping costs down if you want to pinch some pennies.
Fuel source
There are four basic types of outdoor fireplaces, each with their own typical prices; gas fireplaces, propane, wood, and electric. Natural gas, propane, and electrical fireplaces all require trained professionals to hook up the electrical or gas lines.
The following average costs are for prefab fireplace kits. Expect to pay as high as $21,000 for a custom build.
Materials
Especially if you choose a custom fireplace or a contractor kit, you’ll need to factor the cost of the material it’s made out of into your budget. There are a few different options, each with their own cost. An outdoor fireplace should be made out of a durable and fireproof material such as metal or stone, and while some wood can be used for accents, it should not be used to construct the fireplace itself.
Clay and metal fireplaces are mostly limited to small premade fireplaces that you’d buy in a store, commonly called chimineas, and are more affordable than other materials. Expect to pay between $115 and $500 for a chiminea.
Stone fireplaces and brick fireplaces offer more customization but are far more expensive and can easily go up to $21,000 if you’re getting a custom job done.
Additions
There are also some additional features you can add to your outdoor fireplace. These aren’t strictly required but can be nice to have. These will usually be installed along with the fireplace itself, so they’ll be part of the initial installation costs. They will, however, drive up the price, so if your budget is strained, you may want to skip them.
Additions to your outdoor fireplace usually have to do with cooking. A pizza oven is a classic choice, but you can also add a rotisserie for chicken or a grill plate to cook up some tasty burgers and steaks. You can even include a smoker to make a delicious brisket. All of these are typically fueled by wood and have a separate fuel source if the fireplace itself is not wood-fueled.
Permit
If you’re hiring contractors and having a large outdoor fireplace installed, you’re more than likely going to need a building permit. Permits vary depending on the job and its scope, as well as your local area.
Maintenance
Just like any other outdoor feature, your outdoor fireplace will need periodic repairs and maintenance, which will add on to the cost over time. Each repair will come with its own bill that will vary depending on what needs to be done, such as a broken firebox. If it’s bad enough, you may have to demolish it completely and rebuild the fireplace.
Accessories
If you’re getting a wood-burning fireplace, you may need some items to go along with it, such as a wood holder and fireplace poker. Wood holders range between $35 and $100, while pokers and other accessories cost around $10.
You’ll also need a fire extinguisher and fire blanket regardless of the fuel source you use, in case a fire breaks out. Make sure you get the right kind of fire extinguisher for your fuel source.
If you’re installing an outdoor fireplace, there are a couple of other upgrades you might want to add while you’re at it. These aren’t a necessity but can add greatly to your outdoor space and are nice to have if there’s extra room in your budget.
Fire pit
If you find that your budget is hurting from your planned outdoor fireplace, you can opt for an outdoor fire pit instead. Fire pits are much less expensive than a fireplace, costing about $830 on average. They come in in-ground and above-ground varieties and can be a great budget-friendly alternative to an outdoor fireplace.
Outdoor kitchen
If you’re more excited about the cooking possibilities your outdoor fireplace presents than the fireplace itself, you might want to consider a complete outdoor kitchen, one with a dedicated eating space and multiple cooking appliances such as grills and pizza ovens. On average, a professionally-installed outdoor kitchen costs about $13,180.
Lights
As good as the warm glow of a fire is, it’s not overly bright. If you want to light up your yard, you can install some landscape lighting to better illuminate your outdoor space. On average, landscape lighting costs about $3,500 to install professionally.
Landscaping and hardscaping
If you’re renovating your outdoor space with an outdoor fireplace, you may want to consider some new landscaping or hardscaping while you’re at it. If you don’t have any hardscaping already, then you may need to have some installed to make a platform for your fireplace, especially if it’s going to be a permanent feature. For example, installing a patio as your fireplace’s platform may set you back an extra $2,290 to $6,420.
The cost of landscaping and hardscaping services vary widely depending on what you want done. On average, homeowners spend between $3,300 and $13,200 for a professional landscaping project.
Pro cost vs. DIY cost
Interested in building your own fireplace? If you have the skills, tools, and know-how, it’s definitely possible. Strictly speaking, the only parts you need a professional for are any hookups for gas, propane, or electricity. If it’s a wood-burning fireplace, you may be able to do it all at home, which will save you a pretty penny in labor costs.
If you want to DIY an outdoor fireplace, you’ll need the requisite tools. Here are the tools you’ll need to do this project yourself, along with their average price points:
| Tool | Average Price |
| Trowel | $10 |
| Tape Measure | $20 |
| Level | $25 |
| Nail Gun | $150 |
| Drill | $115 |
| Shovel | $20 |
| Gloves | $15 |
| Protective Goggles | $10 |
Cost of an outdoor fireplace by location
The cost of your outdoor fireplace will also depend on where you live. The bill for contractors may increase if they have to drive a long distance to you, and areas with a high cost of living will see every expense increase. In addition, the farther an outdoor fireplace is from your home, the more expensive it will be for electrical and gas hookups.
Accessibility also matters. If you’re building your outdoor fireplace in an area of your yard that’s difficult to access, or if your home itself isn’t very accessible, you can expect the cost to increase as a result.
FAQ about outdoor fireplaces
Yes, it absolutely can. Whenever you use your outdoor fireplace, keep a close eye on it and keep the proper fire precautions ready.
You’ll have to decide for yourself if an outdoor fireplace is worth the cost of installing it. If you spend a lot of time in your outdoor living space, such as a screened-in porch, then a fireplace can be a great addition during the colder weather. It can also make for a great focal point for your backyard.
In addition, if you’re a homeowner, a permanently-installed outdoor fireplace can increase your home’s value, especially in northern states with cold winters.
The main difference between a fire pit and a fireplace is that a fire pit allows you to gather around it in a circle, whereas a fireplace is contained and usually attached to a wall. A fire pit’s heat radiates in every direction. In comparison, a fireplace’s heat is projected to the space in front of it.
Final thoughts
There’s almost no end to the possibilities available to you when it comes to an outdoor fireplace, from a low-end $135 kit you can buy and place wherever you’d like to a $30,000 grand fireplace with all the bells and whistles that makes a lovely centerpiece for your yard. Thankfully, though, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a good medium in the $3,000 average range.
When you’re ready to install your home’s outdoor fireplace, connect with local professionals who can install your prefab fireplace kit, custom build, or unfinished contractor kit.
Note: Lawn Love may get a referral fee for matching you with contractors in your area.
Main Image Credit: chuckcollier / Canva Pro / License
