The average home sauna costs $3,100, but depending on size, features, and type, you can expect to pay between $1,500 and $10,000.
Home saunas are a great way to get your sweat on without having to leave the comfort of your home. They also help your body recover after workouts and may even play a part in helping circulate blood. The type of wood, size, and whether you go for a custom-built or prefabricated sauna will cause the price to sit between $1,500 and $10,000.
The cost of building a sauna depends on a number of factors. Prefabricated models tend not to fluctuate much in price, but with a custom build, the sky's the limit. Higher-end materials and complicated installations will raise the price. Here’s how the cost of a home sauna breaks down.
Most home saunas cost $50 to $200 per square foot. Prefab models tend to fall on the lower end of the spectrum, costing less than $120 per square foot. Custom models fall on the high end and may even exceed $200 per square foot.
Four-person sauna: $2,000–$8,000
Two-person sauna: $800–$3,200
You’ll need to hire someone to help you install your sauna—whether you’re paying a pro to do the job start-to-finish or hiring an electrician and plumber to do the groundwork. Labor is typically 30% to 50% of the total cost of the project. Expect to spend:
$300 to $1,500 in labor costs for a prefabricated sauna kit.
$1,500 to $2,500 in labor costs for a precut sauna kit.
$45 to $200 per hour in labor costs for a fully custom sauna.
You’ll need to hire a professional plumber to hook up your sauna—and this impacts the total cost of your bill. The typical cost of a plumber is between $45 and $200 per hour, and how many hours depends on how much work the installation requires. Most homeowners can expect to spend $350 to $1,750 installing new pipes.
The cost of an electrician is typically between $50 to $100 per hour, and most homeowners spend between $300 to $800 on electrical work during sauna installation. These costs may be wrapped into your total estimate, rather than itemized.
Even if your sauna burns wood, it probably still needs an electrical connection. Most models require a 220-volt circuit, though some infrared models will work with a single 110V outlet. You may or may not need to upgrade your electrical panel.
Because many home saunas come prefabricated, the installation cost of the sauna itself will stay relatively the same no matter where you live. The only real factor that comes into play is the cost of labor in your area.
Here’s a cost breakdown of a 40-square-foot, four-person sauna in the following states:
| State | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| New York | $4,500 |
| Florida | $3,300 |
| Illinois | $4,700 |
| Colorado | $3,100 |
| Arizona | $3,300 |
| California | $4,000 |
| Minnesota | $4,000 |
Indoor saunas can cost around $3,000 more than outdoor saunas because they often require additional renovations to accommodate increased moisture levels and humidity inside your home. Infrared saunas—which don’t need additional plumbing and don’t produce humidity—can help keep installation costs low.
Indoor saunas typically cost $3,000 to north of $9,000. When you’re building a sauna in a closet, basement, or really anywhere inside your home, you’ll need to install a ventilation system to deal with the excess heat and moisture. This can dramatically increase the price of the job. The cost of a ventilation fan is usually $250 to $600, but it can cost as much as $2,000 to $4,000 for an entire ventilation system with ductwork.
Most outdoor saunas cost $3,000 to $6,000. They’re less expensive and less limited than indoor saunas. You don’t have the same space requirements, and the humidity generally takes care of itself. That said, for a freestanding outdoor sauna, you will need to pour a concrete slab for a foundation. Concrete slabs cost an average of $6 per square foot, which adds up depending on size.
Prefabricated sauna kits, which are most common, are budget-friendly at $2,500 to $7,000. Custom saunas are more expensive but have a wider range of options. Expect to spend $4,000 to more than $10,000 on a custom build.
The cost of a home sauna has a lot to do with wood, since acrylic and fiberglass types are far less common. Wood prices fluctuate based on the rarity of the tree and the shipping point. You’ll spend a lot more on a rare, exotic wood than you would something more common. Pine, cedar, and spruce are typically more budget-friendly than Nordic white spruce or Redwood (which could cost four to six times more).
Installing a window will also increase the price of materials by $100 to $300, depending on the size.
There are a few different types of saunas—from wood-burning models to infrared saunas. The more complicated your sauna is to install, the more it costs. Expect to spend as little as $1,500 on a small infrared sauna or more than $10,000 on a large, dry sauna.
A standard prefab kit is just a base upon which to build. You can deck out your sauna with all sorts of accessories that add to the overall relaxation experience (and make your sauna easier to use). Here are some common accessories and their associated costs.
| Sauna Add-On | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Benches | $100–$200 |
| Backrests | $50–$75 |
| Doors | $700–$1,200 |
| Fog-free mirrors | $25–$450 |
| Control panel | $250–$800 |
| Aromatherapy machines | $25–$100 |
| Chromatherapy lights | $50–$300 |
| Speakers and sound system | $150–$900 |
| Thermometer | $20–$80 |
Depending on who you buy the sauna from, they may offer a warranty. A warranty for a sauna will cost around $300 to $1,200, depending on the lifespan of the warranty. Inquire about a warranty with the company you purchase from, as sauna repairs can range between $170 to $600, which may make the warranty worth it.
When you build your sauna, you’ll need to choose the type of heat. Most modern saunas create heat using an electric or gas stove filled with lava rocks. You can run water over the stones to create more steam. Others burn wood or use infrared technology. Each type has different price points and benefits.
| Type of Sauna | Cost |
|---|---|
| Dry Sauna | $2,500–$10,000+ |
| Wood-Burning Sauna | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Infrared Sauna | $1,500–$7,000 |
Dry saunas are the standard type of modern sauna, and they cost anywhere from $2,000 to more than $10,000. It’s not uncommon for a custom build to surpass $20,000 depending on the features.
These models run on electricity or gas, which heats a stove filled with rocks. The heated rocks make the room warm—and some saunas also have the option of running water over the stones to ramp up the steam.
Pros:
Precise temperature controls
Heats up quickly
Sleek, modern design
Relatively simple installation compared to other sauna types
Interior and outdoor options
Cons:
Increased monthly electric bill
May require electrical upgrades
Shorter recommended sessions (15 minutes)
Wood-burning saunas are a traditional option and typically cost between $3,000 and $6,000. These saunas use a wood-burning stove to heat rocks that fill the sauna with warmth. Sometimes, they also come with water that you can ladle over the rocks to create extra humidity in the form of steam. Though these may save money upfront, wood-burning stoves are more expensive to run than dry saunas.
Pros:
Budget-friendly upfront cost
Traditional ambiance
Ideal for remote locations or those without easy electrical access
Great humidity control, since you can use more or less water
Cons:
Often unsuitable for indoor use
Takes time to start and heat up
Creates very high temperatures that are difficult to regulate
Shorter recommended sessions (15 minutes)
Requires extra maintenance for fire safety
More expensive to run than electric and gas options
Infrared saunas cost $1,500 to $7,000, though homeowners pay an average of $4,200. This is a different take on heating altogether. Instead of heating a room, an infrared sauna directly heats your skin. Comparing infrared saunas to traditional saunas, you'll find infrared options are often friendlier on the wallet, but they have a wealth of other benefits.
Pros:
Budget-friendly and typically come in prefab kits
No humidity or plumbing, so they’re easier to install indoors
High energy efficiency
Longer sessions (up to 60 minutes) thanks to lower heat
15-minute startup time
Many models are plug-and-play and come with extra features
Cons:
Dry heat isn’t suitable for every individual
Lacks traditional ambiance
Cannot be installed outdoors in extreme climates
Some handy homeowners can install a prefab infrared sauna kit on their own. A small one- to two-person kit costs as little as $1,000 to $1,500, and you can easily put that in your desired location. You may not even need a permit (but check with your local municipality to be sure).
That said, you should hire a sauna installer near you to take care of any installation that requires plumbing and electrical work. You’ll need to ensure that the sauna drains properly and doesn’t short out while you’re inside. It also needs a proper seal, or your sauna will turn into your home’s new heater instead.
If you hire a contractor, labor will generally cost $45 to $200 per hour on top of the cost of materials. Complicated installations that require a plumber and electrician will take longer and cost more. You’ll also likely need a permit, which only a pro can acquire. In that case, DIY isn’t an option.
You won’t be able to budget much on the base price of a sauna, but there are some choices you can make if you don’t want to stretch your budget. These tips will help you save money on building a sauna.
Prefabricated infrared kits are the most budget-friendly type of home sauna. You won’t have to install electrical upgrades if you pick an option that runs on a 120V outlet. You also won’t need to pay for plumbing hookups, since infrared doesn’t use steam. A pro can assemble an infrared sauna in a suitable space in as little as three hours, keeping labor costs ultra-low.
Ditch high-end materials and go for something standard. Cedar is one of the sturdiest softwoods—and it’s also one of the least expensive. Pine is even more affordable.
To keep costs low, skip add-on features. Instead of installing an entire sound system, use a portable Bluetooth speaker. Instead of opting for high-end aromatherapy options, try using a simple essential oil diffuser. There are DIY ways to make your home sauna feel like a luxury spa without splurging on extras.
A steam shower gives you the steamy benefits of a sauna without the price of a full installation. As an upgrade to an existing shower, steam showers only cost $500 to $2,000. You just need to install a steam generator, rather than do an entire renovation.
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Some homeowners consider a home sauna to be a luxury item, which means you may notice an immediate return on investment for the value of your home. But when it comes time to sell, whether it increases your home’s value or not depends on the person buying—they may not want the added cost of maintaining and heating a sauna.
Most people will opt to put their home sauna outside near a pool or on a screened-in porch so the heat doesn’t move into the rest of the house. If your house has enough room, you may choose to put it in a bathroom so you can shower right after.
It will take several hours or more to build a sauna. A prefab kit will take anywhere from three to 20 hours to install, depending on complexity and your skill level. If you’re doing a custom build, it can take more than 50 hours—especially if you need to add ventilation, ductwork, and other renovations.
