How Much Does a Sauna Cost?
Last Updated: January 20, 2022
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Imagine yourself relaxing in your new sauna. All the stresses of life melt away as you build a rolling sweat. You breathe deep and life seems to all come into perspective as time slows down. A sauna is a rejuvenation of your body and mind that is proven to have physical and psychological benefits. It's a healthy way to cleanse your body of toxins and stimulate the body's immune system.
The sauna dates back to the Nordic region of Finland over 1,000 years ago. It has been mimicked similarly in Russia, Japan, and embraced all over the world. They have a tradition of going in the sauna, then rolling in snow. It rejuvenates the mind and body to shock it like that. Whether you use it that way or just to relax at the end of a day, a sauna is a healthy way to relax.
Types of Saunas #
The cost of a sauna will depend on the type of sauna you buy. You can install your sauna indoors or you can install an outdoor sauna. There are fiberglass and tile saunas, hardwood saunas, small 2-4 person saunas, or large 10-12 person saunas. There are also pre-built sauna kits that you can buy that come with everything to install a sauna for the average do-it-yourselfer. Sauna Kits are by far the most cost-effective option. Most saunas can actually last you a lifetime, since you can dismantle them and take them with you wherever you move.
Indoor Saunas Prices #
An indoor sauna can be installed anywhere in your house as long as room allows. A walk-in closet, basement, or garage will work perfectly as your new saunas home. A great advantage of an indoor sauna is that it can be used 12 months out of the year, regardless of the weather. Indoor saunas are generally more expensive than outdoor saunas, however, since you need the sauna to conform to the space you choose, the sauna has to be vented, and nearby spaces have to be protected from heat and moisture. An average 2-4 person indoor sauna will cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000. Labor, along with the electrical work involved for the heater, will usually be around the same price as your sauna cost. A typical 5-7 person sauna will cost $3,000 to $5,000 with labor typically costing $2,000 to $4,000.
Outdoor Saunas Prices #
An outdoor sauna building is typically a freestanding wood sauna. Cedar saunas and redwood saunas are the most popular due to the wood's resistance to heat and moisture. This is where a precut sauna kit can really save you money. Whether you build it yourself or hire a professional, you save on labor costs with a kit because most of the work is done for you. All's that is required is to assemble it. A typical 5-7 person wood sauna building kit costs between $2,500 to $3,500, and a professional should be able to install it for $1,000 to $1,500, including electrical work. A custom built sauna is more expensive, but you can add several features and customize the interior and exterior however you want. A typical 5-7 person custom sauna could be as little as $4,000, or as much as $7,000. Labor costs will be higher as well, sometimes as much as you paid for the custom sauna.
Sauna Accessories #
Most saunas will not come with accessories such as sauna rocks, water bucket and ladle, a hygrometer or a thermometer, etc. These are typically sold separate.
Don't forget to consider the electrical work that will be involved for the heater unit. An electrical contractor will be able to give you an accurate bid if you give him the sauna plans and a location.
Last of all, you need to factor in the cost of running the sauna. For the typical sauna user running it about 5 times a month will add a $5 to $10 bill. The cost can be as much as $40 a month if the sauna is being used constantly.
Fill out the form below to talk to a licensed professional in your area today about getting your sauna project underway.
