Quick planning summary
- Best for
- Homeowners who want a reason to stay outside after sunset
- Planning investment
- Fire features are priced by size, finish, ignition, fuel type, and integration.
- Typical timeline
- Standalone fire features build in days to a couple of weeks.
- Service area
- Phoenix metro — Peoria, Glendale, Surprise, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, and surrounding cities.
- AE division
- AE Outdoor Living
Ranges are planning guidance and reviewed periodically. Final figures live in your signed proposal.
New River Resort Backyard
A full resort transformation in New River, AZ — pool with in-water basketball, raised infinity-edge spa with fire trough and rain-curtain feature wall, stacked-stone ramada with outdoor TV and fireplace, color-changing pool and landscape lighting, and shade sails framed by metal palm sculptures.
See the full case studyWhat AE currently offers for this scope
Only options we actively design, source, and build today. Ask in your intake if you don't see what you're picturing.
- Natural gas & propane
- Custom stone surrounds
- Fire & water combinations
- Remote ignition
- Wood-burning options
- Engineered for AZ winds
Fire options
- —Built-in gas fire pit
- —Wood-burning ring
- —Fire bowls on pool walls
- —Linear fire features
- —Fire and water combinations
- —Fireplace walls
- —Remote ignition and automation
The 13 questions AE answers for every fire pits & features project
Each link goes to the canonical AE page that answers the question — cost guide, planning tool, warranty scope, real project, or homeowner FAQ. Anything we haven't verified is kept in our owner-confirmation queue rather than guessed at.
- What is it?
Fire pits, fire tables, fireplaces, fire-and-water features — gas-line integrated and built into the broader hardscape.
See answer - Who is it for?See answer
- Is AE the right fit?See answer
- What are my options?See answer
- What drives the cost?See answer
- What drives the timeline?See answer
- What goes wrong if it's planned poorly?See answer
- How does it hold up in Arizona conditions?See answer
- What does maintenance look like?See answer
- Permits, HOA, and engineering?See answer
- Warranty and manufacturer docs?See answer
- Show me a real project.See answer
- Is there a planning tool?See answer
The scope items that move the number
Size, selections, access, demolition, utilities, engineering, drainage, permitting, HOA requirements, site conditions, and specialty trades. We surface each one in your written scope instead of teasing a price that omits common cost drivers.
- Size and BTU load
- Gas vs propane
- Stone, metal, or concrete finish
- Remote vs manual ignition
- Integration with pool or seat wall
- Venting requirements
- Wind exposure
- Permits
What this looks like in Arizona heat, soil, and monsoon
Gas vs propane in AZ
Natural gas is the long-run play for most Valley homes — no tank refills, no propane scarcity. We coordinate gas runs early so they're trenched before hardscape is set.
Wind-aware burner sizing
Open Arizona patios pull flame sideways. We size burners for real BTU load and wind exposure so a 36" pit reads like a fire — not a candle.
Clearances on covered patios
Covered patios need venting and combustible clearances to code. We don't put a fire feature anywhere it can't pass inspection.
How we build it, summarized
- — Written, itemized scope before any work begins; no verbal change orders.
- — Engineering, drainage, and code review documented in the approved design.
- — Manufacturer instructions and current AZ code govern installation methods.
- — Photo documentation captured at each major milestone for the project file.
Final specifications depend on the approved design, site conditions, engineering, applicable code, manufacturer instructions, and signed scope.
See full Construction Standards →Set in your signed proposal
Your signed proposal and agreement control payment milestones, permitting responsibilities, warranty coverage, exclusions, and project scope. Pool and non-pool projects follow different milestone schedules.
What's covered, and by whom
AE provides a two-year workmanship warranty unless a signed agreement states otherwise. Manufacturer warranties apply where applicable and vary by product. Your signed agreement and manufacturer documentation control coverage.
- Pool shell & structureAE workmanship: 2-year AE workmanship
- Pool interior surfaceAE workmanship: Manufacturer warranty appliesManufacturer: Per manufacturer
- Pool tile & water featuresAE workmanship: 2-year AE workmanship
- Pool equipmentAE workmanship: Manufacturer warranty appliesManufacturer: Per manufacturer (varies by product)
- AE LEDs (permanent lighting)AE workmanship: 2-year workmanshipManufacturer: Manufacturer component warranty (varies by product)
- Sonoran Glass & FenceAE workmanship: 2-year workmanship; gate adjustments for 1 yearManufacturer: Manufacturer glass & hardware warranty
- Landscape, hardscape, stone, paversAE workmanship: 2-year workmanship
- Artificial turfAE workmanship: 2-year workmanshipManufacturer: Manufacturer coverage may continue; labor excluded after year 2
- Plants & treesAE workmanship: 90-day replacement with proper care, subject to exclusions
Website information is for planning purposes. Your signed proposal and agreement control the scope, payment schedule, warranty, and project responsibilities.
Fire Pits & Features questions, answered
How much does a custom fire pit cost?+
Built-in gas fire pits run $4,500–$15,000 depending on size, finish, and ignition. Full fireplace walls and fire bowls scale up from there.
Fire pit vs. fireplace?+
Fire pits are social — 360° seating, everyone faces in. Fireplaces are vertical windbreaks that act as a focal wall and anchor a seating area.
Can a fire feature go under a covered patio?+
Yes, but strict clearance and ventilation requirements apply. We design and engineer for code from day one.
Wood or gas?+
Natural gas is the most popular for instant-on convenience and AZ fire restrictions. Wood is allowed (except on No-Burn days) and gives you crackle and aroma.
Can a fire feature be combined with water?+
Yes — fire and water bowls are one of our signature features. The contrast is stunning in the evening.
What's the typical timeline for installing a new fire pit or fire feature?+
Most standard fire pit installations are completed within 1-2 weeks, from design finalization to the first flame. More complex fire features, like custom fireplaces, may take 3-5 weeks depending on material availability and site preparation.
What materials do you use for fire pits and fire features?+
We primarily use durable, weather-resistant materials like concrete, stucco, stone veneers, and corrosion-resistant metals. Burners are always stainless steel to withstand the Arizona elements and ensure longevity.
How does the Arizona climate affect fire pit design and materials?+
The intense sun, monsoon rains, and occasional high winds in Arizona dictate our material choices and construction methods. We choose fade-resistant finishes and ensure all features are built to withstand these conditions and the expansive clay soil (caliche).
Published specifications are typical AE planning or construction baselines. Final specifications depend on site conditions, engineering, manufacturer requirements, applicable code, and the signed scope.
What goes wrong when this is done poorly
- Undersized burner for the bowl — looks like a candle
- No venting on covered patios
- Combustibles too close to the burn area
- Propane tank placed where it's ugly and inconvenient
- Fire pit too small for real seating
- Skipping engineering on fireplace walls
Often built alongside
Ready to plan this the right way?
One accountable team — design, written scope, build, and aftercare.