Hardscape / Valley Vista
Fire Pits
Built in gas and wood fire pits with integrated seating, designed as the anchor of an outdoor living area rather than an afterthought.
What we do
Phoenix evenings are the best hours of the year for a good six months, and a fire pit is what turns a patio into somewhere people actually sit through them. We build gas and wood burning pits as permanent features, integrated into the patio and its seating rather than dropped on top as an accessory.
How we build it
The pit is designed with the space around it, because the seating radius and the circulation route matter as much as the feature itself. Gas runs are sleeved during the hardscape build, and the surround is finished in stone or block to match the surrounding walls and paving.
What to expect
A feature that looks like it was always part of the yard, with seating at the right distance and nothing improvised. Built in gas means no tank to haul, hide or run out of halfway through an evening.
What it costs
$3,500 - $14,000
A built-in gas pit integrated with a seating wall lands in the middle of that range.
What moves the number
- Gas line versus wood burning
- Integration with a seating wall or patio surface
- Veneer material and cap stone
- Distance from the existing gas stub
Ranges are for planning only. Every quote is priced from a site visit.
How long it takes
- Estimate and design
- 1 - 2 weeks
- Scheduling
- 2 - 4 weeks out
- On site
- 3 - 6 days
Permits and HOA approval
A new gas line run requires a permit and an inspection before it is buried. Wood burning pits generally do not, but some HOA communities restrict them outright, so we read the CC&Rs first.
Common questions
Gas or wood burning, which should I choose?
Gas for convenience and for anywhere smoke would bother neighbours. It lights instantly, throws steady heat and leaves nothing to clean up. Wood for the sound, the smell and the look of a real fire. Most of the built in pits we install in the West Valley are gas.
How close can a fire pit be to the house?
There are clearance requirements from structures, overhangs and combustible material, and they vary by fuel type and city. We site the pit to meet them and to work with your patio layout at the same time, so the answer is settled at design rather than at inspection.
Can you run gas to a fire pit in an existing yard?
Usually yes. It means trenching a line from the meter to the pit location, and how disruptive that is depends on what the route crosses. If we are already rebuilding the patio it is straightforward, because the line is sleeved before the surface goes back down.
Can the seating be built in as well?
Yes, and it is usually the better answer. A seat height wall around the pit gives you permanent seating that survives summer, never needs storing, and keeps the area feeling open. We finish it to match the pit surround and the surrounding hardscape.
