Fire Pits, Outdoor Kitchens & Seating Walls in Central NJ
Outdoor living features are what turn a patio from a place you walk across into a place you sit for three seasons. In Central NJ, a fire pit alone typically adds six to eight weeks of usable outdoor season on either end of summer.
Quick answer
We build wood-burning and gas fire pits, seating walls, grill surrounds and full outdoor kitchens. A built-in masonry fire pit typically runs $2,500–$6,000; an outdoor kitchen with counter, grill surround and utilities runs $12,000–$35,000+.
Wood-burning vs. gas fire pits
Wood-burning pits are cheaper to build, need no gas line, and give the fire most people actually want — but they need a steel insert ring, non-combustible base and 7+ feet of clearance from structures and overhangs. Gas pits light instantly, produce no smoke or embers, and are the better choice on smaller lots and covered patios, but require a gas line run and a permit.
- Wood-burning masonry pit: typically $2,500–$4,500 installed
- Gas fire pit with burner, key valve and media: typically $4,000–$6,000+
- Seating walls sized at 18" finished height and 12–16" cap depth
- Minimum 5-foot clear zone between the pit face and seating
Outdoor kitchens that survive a NJ winter
We frame outdoor kitchens in galvanized steel studs or block — never wood — and finish in veneer stone or matching paver units with granite or porcelain counters. Every kitchen gets a drainable base, a GFCI circuit, and shutoffs sized so the water lines can be blown out before the first freeze.
Budget planning: a grill surround with counter typically starts around $12,000. Adding a sink, refrigerator, side burner, and bar seating pushes a full kitchen into the $20,000–$35,000 range.
Lighting and pergolas
Low-voltage LED lighting is the single cheapest upgrade with the largest visual impact — hardscape lights under wall caps, path lights along walkways, and uplights on specimen trees. Pergolas and louvered roofs extend usable time by adding shade and rain protection, and are best anchored into the hardscape during the original build.
Fire Pits & Outdoor Living: common questions
How much does a built-in fire pit cost?
A masonry wood-burning fire pit typically runs $2,500–$4,500 installed in Central NJ. Gas fire pits run $4,000–$6,000+ depending on the gas line run and burner.
How far does a fire pit need to be from the house?
Plan on at least 10 feet from any structure, fence or overhang for a wood-burning pit, and check your municipality's open-burning ordinance. Gas pits have more flexibility but still require clearances.
Do outdoor kitchens need permits in New Jersey?
Gas and electrical connections require permits and inspections. We handle the coordination as part of the project.
Fire Pits & Outdoor Living across Central New Jersey
We install fire pits & outdoor living throughout Somerset, Hunterdon and Mercer County: