Custom fire pits built into your patio.
We build gas and wood-burning fire pits in block and stone, usually together with a paver patio and a seat wall. A built-in fire pit alone runs about $3,500 to $7,500 installed in 2026, and a gas unit with a new gas line $5,000 to $9,000.
2026 Bay Area pricing
Fire pits from $3,500 installed
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Should you build a gas or a wood-burning fire pit?
Gas lights with a switch, makes no smoke and can be used any evening. It costs more up front because a gas line has to be run to it. Wood costs less to build and gives a real campfire, but in the Bay Area wood burning is not allowed on Spare the Air alert days, and smoke matters on tight lots with close neighbors.
If you want to use it on any weeknight, gas is usually the better fit. Tell us how you plan to use it and we will price both.
How much does a built-in fire pit cost?
A wood-burning fire pit on an existing patio runs about $3,500 to $5,500. A gas fire pit on an existing patio, with the gas line, runs $5,000 to $9,000. A fire pit with a new 250 to 350 square foot paver patio runs $12,000 to $20,000, and with a curved seat wall $18,000 to $30,000.
Why add a seat wall?
A seat wall is a block wall 18 to 20 inches tall with a smooth cap, curved around part of the fire pit. It gives permanent seating for six or eight people without furniture, frames the space, and blocks some of the evening wind. It is the upgrade that changes how often the fire pit actually gets used.
What makes a fire pit safe and long-lasting?
- Placement with clearance from the house, fences, trees and overhead structures, following local fire code.
- A proper footing so the ring does not tilt as the ground moves.
- Fire-rated liner or insert so the outer block is not taking direct heat.
- Drainage at the bottom of the pit so it does not fill with rainwater.
- For gas, a line sized for the burner and installed to code, with a shut-off you can reach.
Can a fire pit be added to an existing patio?
Yes, when the patio base is sound. On paver patios we lift the pavers where the pit will sit, build the footing and reset around it. A gas line means trenching from the meter or a stub at the house, which is easier to do before a new patio goes down than after.
Custom-built in stone or paver to match your patio
Free on-site estimate, itemized in writing, anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Fire Pits we have built
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Circular Paver Fire Pit with Seat Wall
Fire Pits: frequently asked questions
How much does a built-in fire pit cost in the Bay Area?+
A built-in block fire pit alone typically runs $3,500 to $7,500 installed in 2026, depending on size, stone or block choice and whether it is wood-burning or gas. With a new paver patio and seat wall, full projects usually land between $18,000 and $30,000.
Do I need a permit for a fire pit?+
A new gas line generally needs a permit. Rules for the fire pit itself and for required clearances vary by city and fire district, so we confirm them for your address during the estimate.
Can I burn wood in a backyard fire pit in the Bay Area?+
On most days, yes, but wood burning is prohibited when a Spare the Air alert is in effect. A gas fire pit can be used on those days.
How big should a fire pit be?+
Most residential fire pits are three to four feet across on the inside, with at least five to seven feet of patio around them for seating and walking space. We lay it out on the ground with you before building.
How long does it take to build a fire pit?+
A fire pit on an existing patio is a short job of a few working days. With a new patio and seat wall it follows the patio schedule, which for most projects is three to seven working days on site.
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Send us a quick description and a couple of photos. We come measure on-site, talk through the options for your space and budget, and write up a clear estimate.