A backyard fire pit can cost less than a patio chair or more than a used car, depending on whether it's a portable bowl, a block kit or a built-in gas feature with seating. This guide sorts published 2026 prices by type. Every figure is cited and listed at the bottom. They're estimates, not quotes.
Cost by fire pit type
The type of fire pit sets the budget more than anything else.
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| Type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Portable fire bowl or kit | $75–$500 |
| Above-ground (block, stone or steel) | $200–$1,500 |
| In-ground | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Built into an existing patio | Up to about $5,000 |
Source: Angi, fire pit cost (national data, updated Aug 2026)3. National figures. Indianapolis prices may differ. Angi's average project is a 36-inch above-ground propane pit at about $850.
For a local benchmark, TheFatBook's Indianapolis cost index models a standard fire pit installation at about $2,149–$2,507, with a typical price of $2,3221.
Built-in fire pits with a patio and seating
Most people who call a hardscape contractor want more than a fire ring.
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They want a pit set into a patio, often with a curved seat wall. An Indianapolis-area landscaping company publishes these ranges2:
- Simple wood-burning fire pit with a basic paver surround: about $3,500–$5,000.
- Custom built-in fire pit: about $3,500–$12,000 and up.
- Gas fire pit with a full paver patio and built-in seat wall: about $8,000–$20,000 and up.
If the patio is the bigger part of the job, price it separately with our paver patio cost guide, then add the fire feature. Seat walls are short retaining-style walls, so our retaining wall cost guide helps with those.
Gas or wood-burning?
Wood-burning pits cost less to build and give a real campfire.
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Gas pits (natural gas or propane) light with a switch and produce less smoke, but they need a gas line or tank, a burner kit and usually a permit. Angi puts fire pit permits at about $150–$500 where they're required3.
Before choosing wood, check your city's open-burning rules and any HOA restrictions. Rules differ across the metro. For a natural-gas line, a licensed contractor should size and pressure-test the line, and buried lines start with an Indiana 811 locate at least two full working days before digging4.
What adds to the price
Size, materials, fuel type and the patio around the pit drive most of the cost.
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- Size and finish. A larger pit, natural stone or a custom shape costs more than a standard block kit.
- Gas. Running a line from the meter, plus the burner, valve and permit.
- Seat walls and the surrounding patio. Often the largest line items2.
- Footings. Masonry seat walls and fireplaces may need footings to Indiana's 30-inch frost depth5.
- Access and grading. Slopes and tight side yards mean more hand work.
Questions to ask before you build
A short checklist to go through with your contractor before work starts.
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- How far from the house, fence, trees and property line should it sit, according to the manufacturer and local rules?
- What lines the pit? Ask whether it's a steel insert or fire brick rated for direct flame.
- For gas: who runs the line, who pulls the permit and is there an inspection?
- What's included: the patio base, seat wall caps, cleanup and a written warranty?
Planning a full outdoor living space? See outdoor kitchen costs and our Westfield outdoor kitchens and fire pits page.
