Building your own private fire pit is easier than you think. While you can go out and purchase a fire pit, building one doesn’t have to be hard ”” and it’s a fun weekend project. 
The first thing you should do is check with your neighborhood association or investigate local ordinances to ensure a fire pit doesn’t violate any of your neighborhood covenants or city laws. Assuming these are permitted in your area, local regulations can also state how far the fire pit must be from the structure of the home, its size and material requirements.
Once you’ve determined that you’re able to construct a fire pit, you should decide what type of fire pit you’d like, as there are many different types and designs. Each type might require a different installation process.
Selecting your location and doing the prep work
When selecting the location of your fire pit, make sure the spot is an open area that’s far enough away from your home. The area should also be clear of low-hanging limbs or bushes that could possibly catch fire. Consider putting your fire pit close to your woodpile to make it easier to restock with kindling when enjoying it on a summer evening.
Once you’ve determined your location, place a small flag in the center of the spot and watch it over the next couple of days to ascertain the prevailing wind direction. The last thing you want to do is have the perfect fire pit blowing smoke into your house or, even worse, your neighbors’ property.
The building process
Once you’ve gathered your building materials, begin with placing the fire pit cover in the center of your location. The cover will help determine the size of your fire pit. Next, place the bricks around the fire pit cover and make sure the space between each brick is minimal. It’s recommended that you use fireproof blocks to line the inside of the ring or use fireproof blocks for the entire structure.
Feel free to remove the cover from your work area since it was only being used to determine the size of the pit. Begin constructing the second layer of brick on top of the first, staggering the joints between the bricks to help strengthen the fire pit walls. Continue stacking the bricks until you have four or five layers of height.
Once you’ve completed the stacking of the bricks, you can install the fire pit bowl into the center of the pit. Make sure you remove the legs of the pit before installing it in the center. Lastly, install the fire pit grate and add the cover. You are now ready for your first fire!
Note: Fire pits should be constructed and installed on concrete patios or bare dirt. Fire pits should never be constructed on wooden decks or any other flammable material.
Constructing your own fire pit is easier than it seems, but if for some reason you’re not comfortable doing this, you can always contact your local hardware store and speak with a professional for more tips and design options.
