Thinking about building an outdoor fireplace from scratch. Any hard-learned lessons?

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Thinking about building an outdoor fireplace from scratch. Any hard-learned lessons?

kakeweb
I'm finally pulling the trigger on a DIY outdoor fireplace construction project in my backyard. I've been doing a lot of research, looking at design ideas and material guides (found a pretty solid one on stone masonry basics while browsing).

But I know there's a big difference between reading about it and actually doing it. I'm hoping to learn from your mistakes or successes before I pour a foundation or lay the first stone.

For those of you who have built one, what's something you wish you knew before you started? Was it the footing depth, the right type of mortar, chimney draft issues, or something else entirely? Any major pitfalls to avoid?

Thanks in advance for saving me some future headaches!