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How to Pay for a Backyard Fire Pit

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How to Pay for a Backyard Fire Pit

How to build your outdoor hangout space this late summer for $80 a month without paying interest upfront.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,200 before anything else
Across the 0% window $80.00/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,200 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Adding a fire pit and some seating turns a patch of grass into an actual room. It takes about a weekend to build, but the trick is waiting until late summer when retailers slash prices on patio gear and contractors have open calendars. Always get at least three quotes if you are hiring out the hardscaping, or just buy the materials yourself when the August sales hit.

A decent setup runs about $1,200. Instead of draining your savings all at once, we can split that cost into manageable chunks. By using the right card, you can pay for the materials over time without interest eating into your budget.

Just remember, that 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers is a hard deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left when those 15 months are up, the card's standard variable interest rate kicks in on whatever is left, which will quickly erase any late-summer savings you scored.

The steps

  1. 01

    Buy in late summer

    August and September are the sweet spots for patio clearance. Retailers want to clear space for winter inventory, so you can easily find deep discounts on stone, pavers, and outdoor furniture.

  2. 02

    Draft your layout

    Measure a 10-to-12-foot circle for the seating area. Keep the pit at least 10 feet away from your house and low-hanging trees. Mark it with spray paint before you buy materials so you have exact measurements.

  3. 03

    Spread out the cost

    If you put the $1,200 on the Discover it® Cash Back, you get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. That means you can pay just $80.00 per month to clear the balance before any interest kicks in.

  4. 04

    Shop the bulk yard

    Do not buy bags of gravel or sand at big-box stores if you can avoid it. Hit a local landscaping yard and buy by the cubic yard. They will dump it in your driveway for a small delivery fee, saving you cash.

  5. 05

    Do not skip the prep

    A good fire pit area lives and dies by its base. Dig down about four to six inches, level the dirt, and pack it with crushed gravel before laying your stones. Skip this, and your seating area will be lumpy next spring.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a backyard fire pit?

It depends on your town. Most places do not require a permit for recreational wood fires under three feet wide, but you should always check your local city ordinances or HOA rules first.

What is the cheapest base for a fire pit area?

Pea gravel or crushed stone is the cheapest and easiest base to install. It drains water well, looks clean, and costs a fraction of concrete pavers or flagstone.

Can I put a fire pit on a wood deck?

No, do not put a wood-burning fire pit on a wood or composite deck. It is a major fire hazard. Use a dedicated ground-level dirt, gravel, or stone area instead.

How much does it cost to build this DIY?

If you do the physical labor yourself, you can easily build a great stone pit and gravel seating area for around $500 to $800. The remaining budget goes toward comfortable chairs and lighting.