Category: DIY vs. Contractor Built Structures

Transforming Your Backyard

Fireplace stuccoed with paint and flagstone. Fire in firebox and led lights. Relaxing corner design with paver patio.
This can be built by you on a budget. So doable with a DIY fireplace construction plan.

There are so many different ways to design and construct your backyard space and so many different price points that you can pick from. The comparison between two backyards that are built either by a construction company or a DIY homeowner is the price spent.

When the comparison comes to light on paper, you will see that the DIY build is much cheaper. This is mainly due to not having to pay for the labor associated with your build. If you do the work yourself, even as a weekend DIYer, you will spend more time building. But, you will save thousands of dollars.

Just How Much Can You Save

So here is the long and short of the DIY vs. contractor-built backyard. Let’s do a comparison of the pros and cons with each, and there are pros and cons for each that need to be noted. This article does not say that hiring a contractor is a bad decision, as that is completely up to you as the homeowner. What we are saying is that there are alternatives to paying for EVERYTHING to be built by a contractor. Enter the DIY homeowner… an individual that is willing to learn, get dirty, and a bit dirty at times.

Pros

Contractor – Fast build…sometimes; Professional and knowledgeable staff…mostly; They have the necessary tools; They can get permits faster if needed.
DIY Homeowner – You will build knowledge and confidence; You will achieve the next level of DIY skill; You will save thousands of dollars; You’ll get it done your way without pushback; You will build on your timeline; You’ll have lots of fun.

Cons

Contractor – Slow build…sometimes; You may wait for them to show up on their timeline; They can be very expensive; You lose some control of the build and design.
DIY Homeowner – Slower build time; You may not have all the tools; You may have to rent or buy some tools (Great problem when you have to buy a new tool); You may have to figure some things out along the way.

Thoughts?

So, based on that list of pros and cons, what do you think? We recommend you complete a list of the projects you want to tackle and see about a cost for each individual project. This will allow you to break the total build into chunks, because there may be certain sections of the project that you absolutely know you want to try.

The beauty of the DIY option is that you can always call a contractor or handyman in to help you after you start. Most DIY homeowners we find will continue the build once they start though and it’s probable that you will too.

What’s Next For Your Backyard?

If you are at all interested in building your own outdoor fireplace and you think you still need a bit of guidance, check out Backyard Flare online. We are the industry leader in comprehensive and easy to follow DIY construction plans for outdoor fireplaces and outdoor kitchens. It’s a portion of your backyard that will be the focal point, so don’t skimp on a good plan to follow.

There are so many things to evaluate with regard to your backyard construction. Our hope is this article has helped you a bit with trying to figure out which way you want to go with either a DIY or contractor-built space.

We are here to assist you with any questions you may have, so please don’t hesitate to call us at 520-269-9740. We’d love to help you with your DIY outdoor fireplace or kitchen.

As always, happy building and we hope to hear from you.

DIY is the Only Way

Okay all you DIYers, are you ready for another amazing DIY outdoor project? Maybe a DIY outdoor fireplace is what your backyard needs. Have you wondered how to build an outdoor fireplace? Well, we have what you need to build on your own and not worry about the inflated cost of using a contractor. That’s right, no contractor.

Masonry construction outdoor fireplace with storage and concrete lintels
Build your DIY outdoor fireplace and then veneer it however you like. There are no rules.

We believe YOU have what it takes to build it yourself, and we want to prove it to you. Now let’s go ahead and throw out some disclaimers. Number one – it is fun and rewarding so if you don’t like that, this is probably not for you. Number two – it does require a lot of lifting. There is NO WAY around that unfortunately. All joking aside, this is manual labor, and you will be challenged at times. We often say that if you can lift a 60lb bag of mortar or concrete off the ground, then you can do it physically.

What’s Next?

So you’ve made the decision to build an awesome DIY outdoor fireplace in that perfect spot in your yard. Great to hear. What’s next you ask? Well, you need to check out Backyard Flare, LLC for your favorite design and DIY construction plan. And the best part is that there are lots of really cool designs to choose from. Modern designs, traditional designs, wide designs, narrow designs, short designs, and even super tall designs. Then there are corner designs, outdoor kitchen combo designs, and even designs that you can put a TV on.

Man in white hat cutting cinderblock. Masonry DIY outdoor fireplace behind him. Diamond blade and grinder being used on construction.
So much fun to build

If you are going to build in a relatively small area, then you may want to look at the Phoenix or Pima designs.

If you want a bit more width and want some firewood storage voids, then maybe the Tortolita or Winslow designs are for you.

If you want a corner design, then we suggest the Cholla or Douglas designs.

If you are looking for a massive structure for that WOW factor in the yard, then look no further than the Santa Cruz, Maricopa, Tombstone, Mohave, or Saguaro designs.

We Got You Taken Care Of

So, you’ve found your favorite design at www.backyardflare.com and are ready to move forward. Now what? We’re so glad you asked. It’s as easy as purchasing the DIY construction plan and asking any additional questions. You buy the materials listed in the construction plan, and tools needed. Then you get busy building as you follow the DIY construction plan, step by step. It’s like following a Lego book on steroids, but with a lot of written and descriptive instructions also.

We love to stay involved in your builds and we can walk you through and assist with hurdles or speed bumps encountered along the way. Just call, email, or text us and let us know what you need. Now that’s some awesome customer service!!!

You Got This

Again, we know you have what it takes to build the DIY outdoor fireplace of your dreams, and we are here to help you with that journey. There are so many things to consider, and we want to be the help you rely on to get it done. Now, what’s your favorite design? Find out at Backyard Flare.

Concrete slab for DIY outdoor fireplace
Getting the slab poured is lots of fun.

DIY Rocks…Nothing More

Man, I love building things, both big and small. Like I stated in the header, “DIY Rocks…Nothing More”. I look around my home and I am amazed at what my wife and I have been able to build and remodel. The list is long, from hanging new doors, flooring throughout, adding cabinets to the laundry room, tile work, paint, baseboards, wall additions, wiring and plumbing, etc…

DIY Rocks

There really hasn’t been a room or area of our home that we haven’t had a direct impact on, DIY style. The inside has been a blast to build, but it doesn’t stop there. We love our backyard outdoor living area too and we do use it a lot. I would say we use it almost everyday, with the exception of mosquito season. That’s just miserable.

Building Our Backyard

Years ago it took a lot of thought to build our backyard and with the numerous layout possibilities, we had to pick what we liked. The pool was first and because it was the biggest feature, it took up the first big chunk. Then we built our outdoor fireplace and outdoor kitchen. They went on opposite sides of the large flagstone patio, which framed the backyard area closer to the house.

improve the look swimming pool umbrella palm tree flagstone planter
Pool went in first due to its size
improve the look Flagstone patio red door grill kitchen flowers
The outdoor kitchen framed one side of the flagstone patio

We enjoyed the layout for many years but we started to get a little bored with it. My wife and I started talking about a backyard refresh. This will not be a small endeavor as most of the backyard will be altered.

improve the look swimming pool patio umbrella fireplace deck planter
The fireplace framed one side of the flagstone patio nearer the house

But we are going to be doing the bulk of the work. Now, as a habitual DIYer and DIY business owner, I am not intimidated by the task. The only thing I will need to contract out will be some of the heavy lifting and trash services to haul away the old building materials. This will be the old pool decking, the old masonry that will be removed, and the flagstone patio that will be replaced with a more modern paver.

Are You Ready?

Maybe you’re in the same spot we are with regard to your backyard. Does your outdoor space need a redo, an upgrade, a refresh? It doesn’t have to be a daunting task, because we have DIY construction plans for your new outdoor fireplace and outdoor kitchen. DIY rocks can be your mantra too.

Even if you have never built with cinderblock and mortar, we can walk you through your build with step by step instructions and detailed diagrams. You will be able to follow the plans that will show you the exact placement of each and every block. There is no better way to build and you can classify yourself as a full-fledged DIYer. The BEST part is that you will save thousands of dollars if you do the work yourself.

We Are Here To Help

Don’t think you have what it takes? Go to our website, www.backyardflare.com and check out the gallery of outdoor fireplaces and outdoor kitchens built by Backyard Flare DIY customers. Anyone can do it with our help. Let us prove it to you.

DIY outdoor fireplace with painted stucco and lights
We stand on what we design. We got you covered!

And if you need a bit more help, you can get our video tutorial series that will show you how to build an outdoor fireplace. We have strived to put together a whole package that a DIY homeowner can use to have outdoor building success. Why wait? Visit www.vimeo.com/ondemand/diyoutdoorfireplace today and watch our video trailer. We know you’ll be inspired to start your DIY project and we want to be a part of it.

Backyard Flare is second to none with customer service. You want to talk directly to someone about your project? Call Dan at 520-269-9740 now and discuss your project. Consults are free of charge. Never a better way to get started. We look forward to hearing from you.

As we always say, “DIY Rocks” and “Happy Building!!!!”

Ready to DIY Your Backyard?

DIY Outdoor Fireplaces Are Within Reach

There are so many ways to add value to your home and one of the most impactful ways is to add some nice changes to your backyard. Let’s assume you have a vacant area in your outdoor space and that you want to build an outdoor fireplace or outdoor kitchen. There are several ways to do it, and the best and most inexpensive way is to do the lifting and building on your own.

DIY outdoor fireplace built from cinderblocks and mortar covered in stone veneer. Metal art on chimney and pool and hot tub in front of fireplace. Patio furniture and wooden fence. Construction zone in backyard of Cholla design.
Cholla fireplace design built by DIY homeowner using a Backyard Flare construction planh

Everyone has the ability of hiring a contractor. This will involve having a meeting and discussion with them about your vision. The contractor may have suggestions and his/her own thoughts about the layout and your backyard. They may or may not know how to build an outdoor fireplace but they won’t tell you if they don’t. They may have their own specialty in designing a certain way. Many of them are very good at what they do and their final result will be great, the majority of the time.

What is Your Favorite Design?

But what if you just like the idea of building the fireplace by yourself? Have you thought of yourself as a “do it yourselfer”? You may want to go look in the mirror and envision yourself in the DIY realm because it is so achievable to build an outdoor fireplace.

DIY outdoor fireplace built from cinderblocks and mortar covered in stucco and paint. Construction zone in backyard of Santa Cruz design with desert foliage behind and mountains.
Santa Cruz fireplace design being built by a DIY homeowner using a construction plan

You don’t have to figure it out all by yourself either. Backyard Flare in Tucson is a design company that focuses on outdoor fireplaces and outdoor kitchens. They sell DIY fireplace plans and kitchen plans for homeowners just like you, so you can build with confidence.

DIY outdoor fireplace built from cinderblocks and mortar under pergola. Construction zone in backyard of Tombstone design.
Tombstone fireplace design being built by a DIY homeowner using a construction plan

Maybe you have an idea in your head of what you think your backyard fireplace will look like. Maybe you have seen pictures of outdoor fireplaces and you want to build one like those. The beauty is that all of our designs are very modifiable. We may have a design and DIY construction plan available that isn’t on our Backyard Flare website.

Call us and let’s discuss your design – 520-269-9740. We will save you money and we will give you the confidence you are looking for to build on your own.

Visit Us Today And Get Started

We hope that you’ll visit our website and browse through our designs and pictures. Most of our customers are DIY homeowners who have little to no masonry knowledge or experience. We are confident that you will be successful in building an outdoor fireplace or kitchen using our DIY construction plans. We have taken out the guess work and we want you to have a great DIY experience.

Backyard Renovation Pricing

How Much $$$ Can Be Saved?
Backyard Renovation Pricing

Backyard Flare is dedicated to helping our customers.  We want you to have as much information as possible before you step into a backyard addition.  We want you to understand backyard renovation pricing.  One question I get quite often from inquisitive DIYers is how much money can be saved by not using a contractor to build an outdoor fireplace.  With this question, there is no “one” answer and the savings, albeit a guarantee, cannot be exactly quantified.  There are costs that will be a surety, such as labor, but each contractor bills a little bit different.  There is no exact savings amount, other than saying a lot, unless you have an itemized quote from a contractor that you then compare to what you will spend.

Now let’s break this down a step further.  Most contractors do an excellent job and I believe you will get your fireplace built if you choose to go the route of a contractor to get it done.  I can’t step on the back-breaking work that they perform day in and day out.  It’s a tiring business for sure and they definitely deserve a pat on the back and some kudos.

Backyard Renovation Pricing

Having said that, you may be wondering about how contractors bill for jobs.  If you have elicited the work of a contractor for anything in the past, you will notice that some will give you a written estimate and others will come over and throw a monetary figure at you after looking at the building area for a few minutes.

A written estimate is better for you, provided it is broken down into independent materials and labor costs.  This will tell you roughly what they think the materials will cost with their slight mark up.  Most contractors will make a few dollars on materials as well, with the understanding that they had to go load them, deliver them, and then unload them at your worksite.  It’s a lot of work so it’s an okay upcharge, I guess.

Tactics and More Tactics

The contractors that throw out a price with no explanation of materials and labor make me smile.  These contractors are betting that you will jump at the offer and that you won’t throw up any objection.  Long and short, they don’t want you to know the breakdown of the profit they are making. It’s okay to haggle and negotiate too.  Remember, this is your backyard, and they will be working for you.  You dictate whether they leave each day with trash all over the place and you will be watching them while they finish the build.

These two quotation methods from contractors drastically differ but both are widely used.  Some that don’t write the job estimate are good at what they do and will provide a breakdown if asked to.  Just remember that you will probably be a bit shocked at how much contractors will charge for labor. It will make up the majority of the quote.  It’s a good living for company owners, believe me on that one.

So What Do You Do?

So, you have an option.  Either go with a contractor or elect to try to build the fireplace with your own two hands.  This is where the music is queued, and we emerge at the top of a hill with a DIY construction plan.  We swoop down to your backyard and hand it to you, and then we stand off to the side, waiting for questions while you build.  The trailer for the movie seems so awesome, but deep down we know that the movie will probably never be made. I guess we’ll stick to creating the construction plans and to our design work.

We Think DIY is the Best Build Decision

Enough already… we have more explanation to get back to.  When you build yourself, the labor that contractors charge won’t be an issue. There won’t be a subtraction from your bank account for labor as you’ll be the labor force behind the entire build.  This shouldn’t scare you either.  We have had a lot of customers who have done amazing at building their own fireplaces and they have never worked with mortar or block.

DIY Pima II Outdoor Fireplace with Stucco Mantel Firewood l
Jason’s DIY Pima II outdoor fireplace is built and ready to go.

One such customer, Jason, sent us pictures of his DIY Pima II outdoor fireplace to share.  After sharing them on our Instagram page, we asked him some pricing questions about his DIY build.  Jason replied, “I got quotes for $7k-$9k to build this exact plan and I built it for $1,600-$1,800.  Two easy weekends with my dad.  It was super easy with your step by step guide.  I’m a banker by trade so I’ve never done concrete block work ever.”

We’re so happy that Jason had a great experience and that’s an amazing savings of at least $5,200.  That’s a lot of money still in Jason’s bank account and the best part is it sounds like he really had a good time with his dad while building the fireplace.  Backyard renovation pricing wasn’t a big deal to Jason because he opted to save the money and pay sweat equity instead.

We’re Here to Help

DIY Pima II Outdoor Fireplace with Stucco Mantel Firewood and Lighting
Jason’s DIY Pima II outdoor fireplace is so inviting with a gorgeous fire.

Think about that when you contemplate your options.  Building your own DIY outdoor fireplace doesn’t have to be stressful or worrisome.  We have what you need to walk you through the process of a DIY outdoor fireplace.  Visit us at www.backyardflare.com for great design ideas and information.  We can help you with a great layout and will work with you personally to ensure you have the information you need to comfortably move forward in the DIY construction world.  Build with one of our DIY construction plans and let us worry about the logistics of the design.  You simply have fun and marvel at what your hard work.  Thank you so much for reading and as always… happy building.

-Dan

DIY Outdoor Fireplace Built for Cheap

CAN I BUILD MY OWN DIY OUTDOOR FIREPLACE?

DIY outdoor fireplace
Gorgeous light colored veneer and lighting make this a very cool DIY fireplace.

If you’ve gotten as far as thinking you want an outdoor backyard fireplace, then the next obvious thought should be on the construction method.  To lay it out as simply as possible, either you build it yourself or a contractor builds it for you.  And I’m not talking about a prefabricated fireplace where you stack a few pieces and have a fire an hour later.  I’m talking about a permanent cinderblock structure with all the amenities such as seating, shelving, lighting, veneer, firewood storage, etc…  Frankly a DIY outdoor fireplace can be built for cheap.

 

Realistic Contractor Concerns

DIY douglas outdoor fireplace decor
Great DIY corner designed fireplace all decorated and ready for a party.

When you elect to have someone else build your fireplace, you will pay for two specific things.  They are materials and labor, the latter of which will be most of your cost.  Is it easier to have someone else sweat while lifting block and splattering mortar?  Absolutely, but you must then step back and look at the alternative.  You!  Have you given much thought to building your own fireplace?  If the answer is no or even maybe, let me give you some things to mull over.  Just one of them may sway you or the entire list may persuade you that a DIY project may be the way to go.

First off, let’s look at the project as a whole.  Building on a large scale with construction plans can be very enjoyable and rewarding.  Think of it as stepping out on a new adventure with a lot of the guesswork taken out because of the plans you hold in your hand.

Some of us have a small perfectionist attitude making it difficult to sit back and watch someone build something for us, knowing we would do it differently.  I want to build to my taste; with my ideas in mind.  Contractors, many times, provide building crews that are only interested in getting done in order to move on to the next project.  In the end, it’s all about cash flow.  Do they care about the final look of something they may never see again, but that you will have to look at everyday for quite some time?  Maybe, however, I prefer complete control of my projects and how they’re built. That’s why I love DIY and that’s why I always try to persuade others to jump on the DIY train.  It’s a fun train.

It may seem small, but you also need to consider whether you will want contractor building crews in your backyard all day for the duration of your project.  They always seem to show up too early or not at all.  Then there’s the problem with the mess that is always left each day.

Think About a DIY Project

Pima DIY outdoor fireplace LG Green Egg kitchen grill
DIY Pima II fireplace with a great outdoor kitchen attached.

When you build yourself, you control the pace of the project.  Some DIY warriors can complete a fireplace project in as few as 9-10 days while still holding down a job.  Others will spend a few weeks to construct their fireplace working only a couple hours here and there.  When you build, it’s up to you how you structure your timeline.

If the previous reasons haven’t convinced you to build your own fireplace then think about the money you could save by not soliciting the services of a contractor.  As mentioned before, most of your cost with a contractor will be for labor.  It is estimated that you can take the total cost of your materials and multiply it by 5-6 to give you an approximate labor cost.  With this example, if you were to spend a total of $1,000 for materials, then the labor could cost as much as $5,000-$6,000, for a grand total of $6,000-$7,000 for a completed fireplace.  That’s expensive!

Not only are you paying for labor, but at times the contractor will make money on materials too. In other words, they will charge you more for each block than what it will cost for you to go to your own home improvement store to buy them.  You’ll only know that though if they provide you with an itemized list of materials and labor broken down.

Nothing is set in stone with how fireplaces have to be built, or even how much you have to pay.  The truth is, however, that you will save money if you step out on faith and build your own outdoor fireplace.  Think about how you’ll feel when you finish your own DIY outdoor fireplace project, knowing that you could have spent so much more.

Look No Further Than Backyard Flare

If you’re looking for assistance in the form of DIY outdoor fireplace construction plans, please visit Backyard Flare, LLC at www.backyardflare.com.  We have many fireplace designs that we’re sure would look great in your outdoor living space.  We would love the opportunity to work with you to make your backyard the talk of the neighborhood.  We’ll give you the knowledge needed and be there for you along the way.  Thank you for reading and we hope to hear from you.

As we always say …happy building.

Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook, as we have lots of cool DIY outdoor fireplace photos and videos added almost every day.  Contact Dan with any questions.

Dan Heston
Backyard Flare, LLC
Tucson, Arizona
dan@backyardflare.com
www.backyardflare.com
www.diyoutdoorfireplaces.com
520-269-9740

Fireplace Building Tools

Tools for DIY Construction

DIY fireplaces vs contractor built fireplaces – which one would I choose?  You can probably guess that one based on the URL of this website.  I always gravitate toward trying to build everything myself and because of this I rely on a few specific fireplace building tools.

Picture of DIY outdoor fireplace built using a Backyard Flare construction plan.
Beautiful outdoor living space

I believe that most people have what it takes to build their own outdoor fireplace.  When you think about the cost savings alone, you will understand that it just makes sense.  If you can lift 30 pounds repeatedly and occasionally a bag of mortar, then you can do it so if you choose this route you’ll need a few different tools to start construction.

Fireplace Building Tools

This is not a comprehensive list of tools needed but it’ll definitely get you going.  A wheelbarrow, hose, and hoe for mixing the mortar, as well as a trowel for laying the block are helpful items.  You’ll need a level, preferably about a 4-footer and a measuring tape.  The wheelbarrow and hoe will be to mix your concrete and mortar.  There are many different sizes and shapes of trowels, and it will become apparent which one you prefer once you use a couple different ones.  You’ll need one that is big enough to transfer and apply the mortar but not so big that you feel as if it’s inhibiting your ability to work cleanly without dropping mortar everywhere.

Block Cutting

If blocks will be cut, you will need some type of saw with a diamond blade.  I have used a circular saw as well as a 10” grinder.  The grinder is by far my go to method for block cutting as it is very easy to control.  This cutting process is best done dry, but make sure to use eye protection as small pieces of concrete from the block will be flying around.

When you cut blocks, make sure to account for a mortar gap.  You will want it to be around 3/8”.  If it is slightly smaller or even larger than 3/8” you don’t have to worry.  Mortar will make up for any imperfections.

When you have a design to follow or a plan that will guide you along the way, you will be ready to start laying block.  Good luck with your construction and happy building.  We always welcome questions and additional information to follow to our other readers.