San Diego Fire Pit Contractors
A fire pit is one of the highest-ROI hardscape investments in San Diego — it extends backyard use into the cooler coastal evenings and creates the social focal point for every backyard gathering. Hardscaping San Diego builds custom gas and wood-burning fire pits with integrated seating walls, fire bowls, and fire tables across all of San Diego County.
Call (619) 949-1833 for a free fire pit consultation.
Our Fire Pit Installation Services
We build fire features in several formats, custom-designed for each backyard:
- Built-in gas fire pits — circular or square, with lava rock, fire glass, or gas log media. Connection to your existing gas main.
- Wood-burning fire pits — masonry construction in concrete block, natural stone, or cultured stone veneer. Requires DPS approval in some San Diego fire zones.
- Fire bowls on pedestals — freestanding gas fire bowls set on custom concrete or stone pedestals. Works on existing patios with no trench work.
- Fire tables — flat gas fire features with seating at table height. Good for smaller patios where a full fire pit would overwhelm the space.
- Integrated seating walls — the most requested addition. Bluestone-cap, travertine-cap, or concrete-cap low walls around the perimeter of the fire pit.
Fire Pit Company Serving All of San Diego
San Diego’s outdoor living culture is unique. Evenings cool down quickly even in summer — especially within 5 miles of the coast. A gas fire pit extends your backyard season and creates ambiance that no furniture arrangement can match.
Our fire pit builds are built to last in San Diego’s specific conditions:
- Coastal exposure — marine-grade brass gas valves and fittings, not standard contractor-grade hardware that corrodes within 2-3 years near the ocean
- Fire hazard zone awareness — some San Diego hillside neighborhoods are in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ). Wood-burning fires may be restricted. We advise on local regulations before recommending a wood-burning option.
- Gas line sizing — we spec the correct BTU supply line for your fire pit size and distance from the meter, so you get a full-height flame, not a trickle
Fire Pit Repair and Refurbishment Services
We also restore and upgrade existing fire pits:
- Convert wood-burning to gas — add a gas burner kit to an existing masonry fire pit
- Replace fire media — swap old lava rock for reflective fire glass
- Repair cracked masonry — repair mortar joints and surface cracks from thermal cycling
- Add a seating wall — retrofit a seating wall around an existing fire pit
- Replace ignition systems — upgrade from manual ignition to electronic ignition
Synonyms for Fire Features We Build
Our clients search for these under many names — fire pit, fire feature, fire bowl, outdoor fireplace, fire table. We build all of them. An outdoor fireplace (with a chimney) is a different structural project than a fire pit or bowl — taller, more complex, requires a foundation and permit. We build those too, though they typically start at $12,000.
Areas We Serve for Fire Pit Installation
We serve all of San Diego County. Fire pit projects are especially popular in Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Coronado, Del Mar, Encinitas, and Carlsbad — communities with premium outdoor living spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions — Fire Pits San Diego
What permits are required for a gas fire pit in San Diego? Gas line connections require a City/County permit and inspection by a licensed plumber. The fire pit structure itself typically does not require a separate permit unless it is over a certain size or covered by a roof structure.
How much does a built-in gas fire pit cost in San Diego? A basic round gas fire pit (36” diameter, concrete block, lava rock media, ignition) with a simple seating wall cap runs $6,000 to $9,000 installed. Add a full low seating wall for $3,000 to $6,000 more depending on linear footage and cap material.
Wood or gas fire pit — which is better for San Diego? Gas is almost always the right choice in San Diego. It lights instantly, produces no ash, works year-round, and is permissible in all fire hazard zones. Wood fires are prohibited during windy conditions and in VHFHSZ areas. The only advantage of wood is the authentic crackling fire experience.
How deep is a built-in fire pit? Most gas fire pits have a 12-16” depth from the top of the fire ring to the burner. The masonry base extends into the ground another 12-18” for stability. Total height from grade to the top of the fire ring is typically 18-24”.
Can a fire pit be added to an existing patio? Yes — if your patio is paver or concrete, we saw-cut the trench for the gas line and relay the surface material cleanly. There is minimal visible evidence of the trench work after completion.
Get Your Fixed-Price Fire Pit Quote
Call (619) 949-1833 or complete our contact form. Fixed-price quote delivered within 48 hours of site visit.