How Much Does a Home Sauna Cost?

Cost to Build a Sauna by Type

The total price fluctuates according to type, with larger and more complicated options falling on the high end of the $3,000 to $6,000 range, or exceeding it in certain scenarios. Materials, unique features, and the location of the sauna also come into play with determining the price.

In-Home Sauna Cost

Indoor saunas cost $3,000 to $6,000, on average, but some units price out at $9,000 or more, depending on installation complexities. Indoor units are more expensive than outdoor saunas, as pros must vent the area and protect nearby areas from an abundance of heat and moisture. Indoor saunas work in various locations throughout the home, including walk-in closets or basements. 

Cost of Building an Outdoor Sauna

Installing a sauna outdoors cost $3,000 to $6,000, and this range is rarely exceeded as outdoor units are not constrained by space limitations and other obstacles that plague indoor saunas. Specialty high-quality woods, such as cedar and redwood, ensure that the cost falls on the high-end of this range. Outdoor saunas are built as freestanding wood units, making them a great centerpiece for your outside living area, but require a foundational concrete slab as part of the installation process. 

Prefab Sauna Prices

Prefab kits cost $70 and $120 per square foot, so a standard 8-foot by 5-foot sauna that holds four people simultaneously prices out at around $2,800. These prefab kits cost much less than custom options, as most components arrive pre-built. Professionals are still the best bet for installing a prefab sauna, however, unless you have serious experience with your home’s plumbing system. 

There are many companies making prefab sauna units, including Finlandia, Sunlighten, and Sunray, among others. 

Custom Sauna Room Costs

Installing a custom-built sauna costs, on average, $7,100, with size, accessibility, and manufacturing materials all impacting this final price. Custom saunas are available in a wide variety of wood types, including cedar and redwood, in addition to fiberglass and acrylic. Custom saunas use a lot of wood during construction, which impacts the price significantly.

Installing a door or windows also inches up the final price. The benefits of a custom sauna are significant, as they allow you to add any feature you like and build a unit in any size or shape you like. 

Dry vs. Wood Burning Saunas

Wood-burning saunas are the less expensive option here, costing $3,000 to $6,000. Dry saunas include electric, gas, and infrared models, and cost $2,300 to $20,000 or more depending on the size and type. 

However, wood-burning saunas are more expensive to operate than dry saunas. You’ll pay just 12 to 50 cents per hour to run a dry sauna, and operating a wood-burning model comes in at two to three times that amount.

Infrared Sauna Costs

Infrared saunas cost between $1,500 to $6,900 and rarely exceed this price range as most infrared models come as prefab kits. Infrared options don’t generate too much moisture during use, freeing you up to choose inexpensive types of wood for construction. This is an efficient technology, so you’ll see some slight savings with your monthly energy bill when compared to other types. 

Residential Sauna Cost Factors

Beyond construction materials and sauna type, there are also cost factors worth considering for residential customers. 

Location in Home

Where you choose to place the sauna impacts the cost depending on how much renovation is necessary to complete a successful installation. Saunas work well in many locations throughout the home, such as garages, bathrooms, basements, and more. Before deciding on a location, talk to your pro about any potential obstacles with placement and come up with a game plan for protecting nearby areas from increased heat and moisture. Placing units in pre-built outbuildings is another option.

Size

The larger the sauna and the more people it comfortably sits, the higher the overall cost. 

A small two-person 4-by-4-feet unit costs around $2,000, while a 4-person 8-by-5-feet model costs an average of $4,200. Saunas cost anywhere from $50 to $200 per square foot, so calculate the cost of your preferred size before going ahead with a purchase and installation. 

Electrical Work

Most saunas require an electrical connection to operate, even wood-burning models, as they need a 220-volt circuit in the existing electrical panel and a 220-volt receptacle to prevent overloads. Some infrared saunas require just a single 110V outlet. Hiring a local electrician to update your electrical system to accommodate a sauna costs $300 to $800, though some installation pros wrap this up with the overall estimate and some saunas come with built-in conduits to reduce these costs. 

Labor

Labor costs for a prefab kit come in at $300 to $1,500, on average, while professional assembly of a pre-cut sauna kit costs $1,500 to $2,500. Custom builds fluctuate quite a bit, depending on size, sauna type, local rates, and accessibility. Generally speaking, labor accounts for 30 to 50% of your total bill when installing a sauna. The other primary cost is, of course, the sauna itself. Beyond assembly, you’ll need to account for labor costs with drain installation and putting in necessary electrical outlets. Hiring an electrician costs $40 to $100 per hour and hiring a plumber costs $45 to $150 per hour. 

Type of Wood

The type of wood chosen for the sauna significantly impacts the price, with pine, cedar, and spruce coming in as relatively budget-friendly options. High-end types of wood, such as Nordic white spruce and redwood, are more expensive and increase the overall cost of installing a sauna by four to six times.

Heater

A sauna heater costs $200 to $4,600, depending on type and size. Your heater’s size should be 1 kW for every 50 cubic feet of room in the sauna, though outdoor saunas require larger heaters than indoor saunas to account for the winter months. Electric and infrared heaters are the best options for indoor saunas, to minimize the risk of fire, while outdoor saunas integrate with every heater type. As a note, some building codes do not permit wood-burning saunas, so check with local regulatory agencies before going ahead with the installation. 

Extras

Saunas are not one-size-fits-all affairs, as there are plenty of extras and accessories available for modern homeowners. Most saunas arrive with at least one bench but adding other fixtures drive up the price. For instance, installing another bench costs $100 to $200, while installing a touchscreen control panel costs $250 to $800.

Here are some common sauna extras with price ranges.

Sauna vs. Steam Room or Shower

Installing a steam room costs between $1,000 and $5,000. Putting in a steam room/shower is cheaper, at $2,000 to $4,000. Rather than heating rocks or water, a steam room or steam shower generates hot mist and sprays it throughout the room for a therapeutic effect. However, steam rooms and steam showers max out at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas dedicated saunas go up to 190 degrees Fahrenheit.

Installing a DIY Sauna Kit vs. Hiring a Pro

DIY sauna kits are available at a cost of $800 to $1,200, but consulting a pro is beneficial even with a pre-built kit. These kits require electrical considerations and a connection to your plumbing system, in addition to an active drain. Sure, you’ll save some money by going the DIY route, but only undertake this task if you are intimately familiar with your home’s plumbing and electrical systems. Otherwise, you risk damaging these systems during the installation process. 

FAQs

What is the ROI of installing a sauna at home?

This fluctuates wildly and really depends on your buyer. Some potential buyers view saunas as an enviable luxury, while others see them as a waste of space and a maintenance headache. If you opt for a high-grade sauna made from quality materials and components, you’ll see some kind of ROI, but the actual amount varies. 

How much does running a sauna cost?

The cost of running a sauna depends on the size and how much you use it, though they don’t use too much energy compared to other home appliances. Relaxing in an electric indoor sauna for 20 minutes costs just $0.25 to $0.50 while running a wood-burning sauna for 20 minutes costs $4 to $8, as this requires 15 to 20 pieces of firewood. 

How much does it cost to repair a sauna?

Sauna repairs cost $180 to $700, depending on the repair issue, the type of sauna in your home, and the materials. For instance, prefab saunas are cheaper to repair than custom builds and wood sauna repairs are cheaper than other types. 

What are common sauna dimensions?

Sauna rooms come in a variety of sizes, from 4 by 4 feet to 8 by 12 feet. You’ll need an 8-by-5-foot unit to fit four people and a 4-by-4-foot unit to fit just two people. 

How much does it cost to build a salt room?

Installing a salt room in your home ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the size. Salt rooms allow for halotherapy, otherwise known as dry salt therapy, which is a therapeutic process. Small personal halogenerators are available for a few hundred dollars but are not as effective as a dedicated salt room.

How much does it cost to remove a sauna?

Removing a sauna costs $75 to $100 per hour, with large and complicated builds falling on the higher end of this spectrum. You’ll pay more for the removal of a custom unit than a prefab unit, as the former is more complicated. Some pros charge a disposal fee in addition to a removal fee, so make sure ahead of time.