There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a fire going in the backyard on a crisp Delaware night. Good company, no agenda, just warmth and wood smoke. Of course, such a setup doesn’t just magically happen on its own; it takes a lot of planning, quality products, and a person who knows what they’re doing. That’s where Site Prep LLC comes in. We’re a fire pit installation service and outdoor fireplace construction service in Wilmington, DE, with every project handled by a fire pit installer from the moment we meet to discuss the project until the moment you enjoy it for the first time.
Site Prep LLC: Wilmington’s Go-To Fire Pit Contractor
We are not a general contractor who just happens to install fire features as a secondary activity. Site Prep is a licensed fire pit contractor and hardscaping company that has spent enough time in the Wilmington, DE market to understand the local soil, codes, and homeowners. We control the entire process: the evaluation, the permitting, the drainage system, the construction, the clean-up. All of it.
Our staff is experienced in the full gamut of materials and configurations:
- Concrete, gravel, crushed stone, natural stone, fireproof brick, artificial turf
- Round, circle, square, rectangular, and fully custom shapes
- Standalone fire pits, seating wall setups, integrated patio and deck designs
- Full outdoor fireplace builds as part of a larger landscape or hardscape project
One company, one crew, one point of contact. No passing the job off halfway through.
Fire Pit Designs That Work for Any Backyard
Concrete Fire Pits
If you want clean lines, modern looks, and extreme durability, a concrete fire pit may be the way to go. We can build it in a variety of shapes, including round, square, and rectangular. We can also make it smooth or rough.
Natural Stone and Brick
Builds If you want a fire pit that has a more classic or organic feel, natural stone or fireproof brick may be the way to go. These types of fire pits hold heat well and look great with gravel or crushed stone used to direct water flow around the fire pit without trapping it underneath.
Custom Builds
With Seating Walls But a fire pit with a seating wall made out of stone that goes around it is a different animal altogether. This turns a generic outdoor area into a specific outdoor room. When you add a paving stone or gravel surface, the whole thing feels designed, not haphazard.
If the land needs to be excavated or a drainage system put in before we even start constructing the fire pit, our excavation services team will take care of that for you without you having to do a thing.
Outdoor Fireplace Installation: A Step Up in Design and Impact
While a fire pit brings people together, an outdoor fireplace draws attention to itself. It serves as a focal point in your backyard, provides directional heat, and brings a presence that affects the way a space feels, especially as part of a larger landscape or hardscape design.
Site Prep constructs outdoor fireplaces utilizing brick, stone, and concrete block construction. As a seasoned outdoor fireplace builder, we strive to design our fireplaces to complement the existing exterior of the residence and tie in with whatever existing outdoor patio or deck may be in place.
The main differences you should know about before making a decision:
- Outdoor fireplaces emit warmth in every direction with a chimney to vent smoke upward
- Fireplaces are far more impactful in terms of aesthetics and design
- Both options need to be assessed in terms of site preparation; fireplace construction always requires a permit
- Fireplace installation is far more involved in terms of foundation work and time commitment
Still undecided about which direction might work better for your outdoor space? We’ll cover both options in the initial consultation.
Four steps, no guesswork:
How We Work: From First Visit to First Fire
1
We come out, take a look at your location, assess grades and drainage, and talk with you about what you’re looking for. It’s also where we determine what permits are required and what might impact your fire pit’s design and installation – such as location in relation to your home, basement egress, deck structures, and property lines.
2
The look, size, materials, and seating configuration – it’s all done before we start. You’ll know what you’re getting.
3
The base, drainage system installation, grading – it’s all done before we begin. It’s not something you’ll necessarily see, but it’s what makes your fire pit hold up over time versus cracking in a couple years.
4
The build, cleaning up the area, explaining how it all works – it’s all done before we leave. You won’t have to guess how anything works.
They Look Amazing!
Recently Completed Fire Pit installation In Wilmington, DE
Why Wilmington Homeowners Choose Site Prep for Fire Features
- Licensed and insured – no exceptions!
- Permit process handled – we do all the research to ensure you’re in compliance!
- Full service – we do it all from start to finish!
- Many options available – concrete, stone, brick, gravel, fireproof brick, artificial turf!
- Easy to understand pricing – no padding at the end!
- Local knowledge – we know the soil conditions, drainage patterns, and permitting requirements in the Wilmington area!
Site Prep LLC also offers concrete driveways, parking pads, excavation services – so if you have multiple projects in the works, we can work with you to complete them all at once!
Ready to build something worth gathering ’round to enjoy? Contact us today to arrange for a free consultation to discuss your Wilmington fire pit or fireplace needs.
FAQs Fire Pits & Outdoor Fireplaces in Wilmington
That depends on the scope of the project. If the fire pit is simple and in the ground or above the ground in a backyard in the Wilmington area, then the answer is no. But if the fire pit is a permanent structure with concrete and a seating wall, then the answer is yes. Site Prep can assist with the permitting process for all of our permanent fire pit installations. We are familiar with the building codes in the Wilmington area and don’t take any shortcuts with the permitting process.
This is a bit more than most people would guess. A simple gravel fire pit with a concrete ring is on the lower end of the price spectrum. A natural stone fire pit with a seating wall and drainage system is a much more involved process. While most fire pits in the Wilmington DE area range between $800 and $5,000+, the price can vary widely.
Most building codes and fire safety standards require at least a 10-foot clearance from any structure, be it the home itself, fences, basement exits, decks, or overhead obstructions. We verify this during our assessment.
In most instances, yes. The assessment will be done based on the condition and depth of the existing concrete to ensure it is suitable for installation without further reinforcement. It is one of the common installations.
An outdoor fire pit has no back, so the heat and light go in every direction, which is great for a group setting. An outdoor fireplace has a back wall and a chimney, which directs the heat forward and controls the smoke much better. An outdoor fireplace also has much more “wow factor” and a longer build-out time, but it also changes the backyard in a way that a fire pit just cannot.
A typical fire pit project in the Wilmington area usually takes one to two days to install. An outdoor fireplace project usually takes about three to five days, depending on the project and the conditions at the site. We’ll give you a honest estimate, not a wish-list estimate that falls apart once we get started!
