Holy cow, it’s been a while since I have written on the blog and I am feeling like there is so much to say. As always, we are so humbled by what we see our amazing DIY customers building using our DIY construction plans. We love the pictures we are constantly receiving.
We have so many that we want to show off and we know that you will find some inspiration from them. We are amazed constantly that even though most of our customers have little to no masonry experience, that they can build these awesome DIY projects.
We, like so many others, have social media accounts that allow us to show off and brag about our very talented customers. It is very important to understand that the pictures we post are of DIY outdoor fireplaces built using Backyard Flare DIY construction plans. These builders are also everyday homeowners who want to save thousands of dollars and build it themselves.
Check Us Out – DIY
Our Instagram page is updated frequently and we know you’ll get lots from it. Our Pinterest page is a great resource for additional photos and information. Please check us out and please like and subscribe to these sites. You’ll be notified when we post more great info and pics. Who knows, we could even post a picture of your fireplace for the world to see.
We know that we can provide the knowledge and we’ll be the cheerleader for you to be successful in your DIY fireplace project. Let us know if you have any questions and we will do our best to get you an answer. Thanks and as I always say…”HAPPY BUILDING”. -Dan
Hey there. I am assuming you are an aspiring DIYer and that’s how you found yourself reading this blog post about DIY outdoor fireplaces. I’m Dan and I founded Backyard Flare quite a few years ago. Since then, I have been helping DIY homeowners achieve their dreams of building outdoor fireplaces. It’s so much fun to see the finished projects and share in their achievements.
There are so many questions to answer too, and I would love to address them all. In due time I guess. Since we need to start somewhere, I figured that I will address one question per blog post for a while. I’ll start with one of the most common questions. Should I build angled or squared walls in my firebox?
Why No Angled Walls in the Firebox?
I get this question more than most. One of the first things most people do before stepping into a new DIY project is do some online searches for content and information. With regard to outdoor fireplaces, one thing that surfaces a lot are angled walls in fireboxes, commonly referred to as a Rumford design.
Squared wall firebox built by DIY homeowner
This design is really cool and there is some functionality to it within reason. Mostly, a Rumford design is meant for indoor applications. To build angled walls on an outdoor fireplace is just not necessary. Some will say that they prefer to build that way for the looks, and my response is always the same. Go for it.
You Don’t NEED Angled Walls Actually
Here’s why. If you examine an angled wall fireplace, you will most likely have a lot of internal stuff, maybe a smoke shelf, possibly a damper, and a lot of narrowing. That’s all fine and dandy on an indoor fireplace where you have control over wind and breezes. But not outdoors!!!
Wind and breezes affect every fireplace performance regardless of how it’s constructed; angled walls or squared walls. We prefer to maximize the size of our fireboxes with squared walls. This allows us to get the fire grate behind the lintel, so more smoke follows the draw and path of least resistance. Basically, that means up the chimney.
No one likes it when smoke billows out the firebox and up the front face of the structure. It’s actually unsightly and frankly, it’s annoying. We have seen more issues with Rumford built outdoor fireplaces with this than square box designs.
Verdict?
We the jury find for squared walls on our DIY outdoor fireplaces. There you have it folks, the verdict is in. Now there is always room for more discussion on this topic, so we are always available. If you’d like more info or if you’d like to reach out with additional questions, email Dan at dan@backyardflare.com. Or find more information at www.backyardflare.com your home of the best DIY outdoor fireplace construction plans on the market.
As always, happy building everybody. Go DIY something!!!
Are you looking for a focal point in your backyard space?
So, you are wanting to build an outdoor fireplace in your backyard? Are you wanting that special section of your backyard to pop? There are so many things to figure out. And so many variables and design types to consider. Where do you go for a DIY construction plan? Well, it’s good you found this article. We have the answers for you and a great method of building.
Enter Backyard Flare. We have heard from DIY homeowners all over the place that they have struggled to find a construction plan for a functional and easy to build outdoor fireplace. We have lots of great designs to choose from on our website. From traditional designs to modern designs, we got you covered. And the best part is the support you’ll get from us.
What Do We Offer?
There is nothing more annoying than trying to get ahold of a business and never hearing back or them just not answering emails or phone calls. We are different and we strive to be the best company with the best customer service. And we feel we have lived up to that standard.
When you begin your outdoor fireplace planning process, look to us first. We are here for answers even before you purchase one of our comprehensive construction plans. Let us know what you need answered and what we can help you with. We want you to have the knowledge and confidence even before you purchase.
Nothing to Lose
Having said all this, try us out and see for yourself what the hype is all about. We can set up a free phone call consultation to discuss your upcoming fireplace build. It’s a lot of fun and we know you’ll learn something too.
Once you’re ready to look at different designs, go to www.backyardflare.com, and start envisioning your backyard with a stunning focal point. You will also be able to look through our gallery of gorgeous builds by our very talented DIY homeowner customers.
Awesome Inspiration
If you want even more examples of what our customers have built using our construction plans, check out the following links too. Our Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram pages have lots of great ideas, content, and pictures to drool over. So many great looks!
We look forward to hearing from you and would love to set up a consultation or just answer some questions. Email us at dan@backyardflare.com or call/text us at 520-269-9740 for more information.
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.
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.
Pool went in first due to its size
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.
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.
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!!!!”
If you’re a homeowner and you love to save money doing things on your own, you are a DIYer by definition. This DIY status is great. But what if you don’t know the detailed build methods of what you are trying to do? Maybe a DIY Fireplace Video Tutorial is the answer.
There are so many great sources of information that will lead you to getting your DIY project completed. But so many times the information is vague and not complete. I’m talking about a DIY backyard masonry project. Where is the all inclusive tutorial information showing you exactly how to build an outdoor fireplace?
Where do you go to find the answers you are looking for?
We Have Your Solution
How to cut cinderblock the right way.
Well, here’s the answer. Dan at Backyard Flare, LLC in Tucson, Arizona, built a backyard DIY fireplace with a homeowner. They followed the Winslow design and construction plan offered at www.backyardflare.com. It was a great build as Dan got to work directly with a DIY homeowner and teach him along the way.
This DIY outdoor fireplace build took place over a week and the process was video and audio recorded for very detailed instructional steps. Each tutorial video segment was categorized and the videos show the exact way the building took place. It followed a masonry (block and mortar) method of construction. Everything was covered from the tools used and their safety, the materials used and explained in detail, and the build method involving the pouring of the arches. Metal and block cutting was explained and demonstrated, and mortar mixing and block laying was also covered. This video tutorial was made with you in mind, the DIY enthusiast who just needs a little bit more confidence and reassurance that you can do it.
Learning Has Never Been Easier
If you go to vimeo.com/ondemand/diyoutdoorfireplace and watch the trailer, you can see the up-close building that you can imitate in your own backyard. This is what a DIY Fireplace Video Tutorial needs to include. Watch Dan as he builds the fireplace and see how he explains the build process in detail. All aspects from the first blocks to the last and everything in between. The videos total 3 hours and 43 minutes of instruction.
Why Wait? Build Today!
If you want the best and most comprehensive tutorial video series showing DIY outdoor fireplace construction, then look no further. We know you’ll learn something. And the best part is that this tutorial isn’t just for the Winslow design as these building methods are used in all our DIY fireplace designs.
Get started on your fun and rewarding DIY outdoor fireplace project today. You’ll be glad you did because you will build a great outdoor destination and at the same time, you will add thousands to the value of your home.
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.
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.
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.
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.
So do you have a desire to add a DIY outdoor fireplace to your backyard? Have you been thinking about designs and placement? Anything you build on your own or have built to improve your outdoor living space will have a cost associated with it. Build costs can be drastically different when you compare a DIY built fireplace to one you pay to have built.
By saying that the build costs vary drastically, that is no overstatement in any way. Let’s break this down, starting with how much a DIY built fireplace would cost. When you get a construction plan from Backyard Flare, LLC, you will get a materials list that tells you exactly how many of each block, how much mortar, concrete, steel, etc, that you will need to build a specific design.
DIY Outdoor Fireplace – Tortolita Design – built by homeowner using a Backyard Flare construction plan
DIY Outdoor Fireplace Costs Broken Down
Each building material has a cost, so for ease of explanation, let’s use $1.00 as the cost for a block, $3.00 for a bag of concrete, and $4.00 for a bag of mortar. Let’s then throw in $300.00 for other build materials like firebrick, wood, angle iron, and rebar. If you have a fireplace design that would require 150 blocks, that is $150.00 to start. Let’s say 10 bags of mortar and 15 bags of concrete also, so that would be $40.00 and $45.00, respectively. With the added $300.00, the total would be approximately $545.00 for the rough building materials.
Let’s say you were able to pour your own foundation for $300.00 in materials. Also, that you found a great looking veneer for a total of $500.00. Adding these costs to the rough build, your total build materials for the fireplace would be approximately $1,345. With no labor costs, and only sweat equity and a whole lot of fun, your costs wouldn’t exceed that for the most part.
This is our Cholla design built by a DIY homeowner
Contractor Costs Broken Down
When you have a contractor build the fireplace, you need to start with the $1,345 cost for materials to get a decent calculation. Most of the time, there are additional costs associated with mark-up for the materials. We won’t add those in. At least here in the Arizona area, we have figured out that average labor costs are 4-5 times the materials cost. These calculations would be $1,345 X 4 and $1,345 X 5. These equal $5,380 and $6,725, respectively.
These two labor amounts are only approximate and they are not set in stone. When you add the two labor costs to the $1,345 cost for materials, you could expect to pay $6,725 to $8,070 for the fireplace.
Are you Convinced Yet?
When we look at the differences between the costs of a DIY built fireplace and a contractor built fireplace, there are literally thousands of dollars separating them. Most people would agree that saving money is important. This savings can be directly attributed to building your fireplace DIY style.
When you’re ready to build a gorgeous outdoor fireplace on a budget, your first stop should be www.backyardflare.com. We can offer you a step by step DIY construction plan that will guide you all the way through your build. No sense in trying to figure it out on your own. Starting at only $39.99, you will have the best and most comprehensive DIY construction plan on the market. We look forward to helping you with your DIY project.
If you’re reading this, you either stumbled on it, or you were actively searching for information on how to build a DIY outdoor fireplace. Either way, welcome and I am so happy that I can share this with you. I get questions on a daily basis from people who say they were excited when they finally found Backyard Flare. Building a DIY outdoor fireplace became a reality at that time for many people who originally thought they needed to figure it out on their own.
Build your DIY outdoor fireplace and then veneer it however you like. There are no rules.
Can anyone really do it? Actually “yes” you can.
So, if you are able to lift a bag of concrete off the ground, then I believe you have what it takes to build a DIY outdoor fireplace. Believe me, it doesn’t require that you have to have worked with masonry before. If you have only ever seen cinder blocks while walking past them at Home Depot or Lowes, you are still able to build if you follow our construction plans.
Print your DIY outdoor fireplace plan and bring it to the work site. So easy.
Our designs are very simple even though they are absolutely gorgeous. And the best part is that the majority of our customers are people who are new to the world of DIY outdoor fireplace building. Many have never mixed mortar or used power tools. Our construction plans show people in a very detailed way how to go about putting a DIY outdoor fireplace together.
What do the DIY outdoor fireplace plans work?
We created DIY outdoor fireplace construction plans that are so easy to follow and comprehensive. Most of the guess work is taken away. The construction plans contain large, easy to see, isometric diagrams, and lots of very detailed written instructions. Imagine following a Lego book, but add the written part in as well for more detail. You will take the materials list in the plan and buy exactly what it says, as we have calculated each block and material down to the amount you’ll need. Pretty cool huh?
Cinder block anyone?
Our DIY outdoor fireplace construction plans all follow a cinder block build method. You will be able to pick out whatever veneer you like to finish the structure. By the end of the build, you’ll be high-fiving your family and friends. Then it’s time to get ready to enjoy the warmth of a raging fire on a cool night.
If you’re looking for more information and pics, or just some more inspiration, check out our Instagram profile, “backyardflare”, and our Pinterest profile, “DIY Outdoor”. We know you’ll find something that will look great in your backyard. Let us know how we can help you succeed and how to save thousands at the same time.
When you’re ready to get your plan, go to Backyard Flare, and pick out your favorite design. Once you purchase it, you will receive it in PDF directly to your email. We strive to serve you and to make sure your building experience is the best it can be. Let us show you the reality to outdoor comfort. Call or text me (Dan) direct at 520-269-9740 if you want a free consult. I’ll be waiting.
Gorgeous DIY outdoor fireplace built by a homeowner using our construction plan
I love phone calls
I love the fact that we have helped lots of DIYers with DIY fireplace plans. We also love to hear feedback from our customers. The other day I answered my phone and began speaking with a past customer who built a Pima II fireplace design. Karen explained that she had received some bids from contractors to build an outdoor fireplace in her backyard and was blown away at the price tag. She wasn’t prepared to pay what was bid.
Karen elected at that point to start looking for assistance. She stumbled on Backyard Flare’s website while searching for “DIY fireplace plans”. After reviewing our designs, Karen said she picked the Pima II because of the large firebox and the low rough materials cost.
Inexpensive DIY outdoor Pima II fireplace built by a homeowner, stucco and travertine covered with a wooden mantel and lighting
I listened as she told me about her building experience and about how much fun and how fulfilling it was to complete the construction by her and her family. She said that she never thought she could build a DIY fireplace on her own…that was until she discovered our plans.
I was happy to get that phone call because it solidified what we have known for years. We design our fireplaces for the customers that don’t have a ton of masonry building experience. Some don’t have any at all. Our simplistic build plans cater to the DIY homeowners that want to step into a DIY project. They may need just a little bit of instruction to get started.
Get started on your project
We know that you have what it takes to build one too and we are eager to hear about your backyard and your plans to transform it. Text Dan at 520-269-9740 and let’s discuss your design ideas. Let’s talk and know that it’s free, and with no obligation.
Take care and happy building to you. It’s time to get started!!! Go to Backyard Flare to pick your favorite design.
