cost
how much is a sauna?
The Barrel sauna index
You've probably seen barrel saunas online for about $6 000, so how much should a slightly more solid sauna cost? $10 000? Not quite.
the high cost of low prices
First of all, that $6 000 barrel sauna isn’t $6 000. Add benches, windows, a porch, a stove, a chimney, and shipping, and you’re already well over $10 000. Then it arrives as a big pile of lumber, and you’ll need to either spend many hours (or days) assembling it yourself or hire someone else to do it. How about the stove? If it’s electric, you’ll need to run a new line, which means getting a permit and wiring it yourself—or paying an electrician. If it’s a wood stove, you’ll have to install the chimney or, again, pay someone else to handle it. All in, we're (very) optimistically looking at at least $12 000, after which you will have... a barrel sauna.1
we demand quality
But you don't want a barrel sauna! You are an individual of taste and culture! You know what makes a good sauna,1 and you want all that for yourself. So... how much are the good ones? You know, the ones with the insulation, the high benches, the heavy stoves, the change rooms - the works. $20 000 maybe?
I'll just do it myself then
Sadly, probably not. If you stick to the basics and buy all the materials yourself (at great prices with multiple independent vendors), perhaps you could pull it off. But a good sauna has a lot of materials,1 and sourcing them all takes time and effort. And speaking of, let's not forget about the time and effort needed to come up with a detailed build plan that implements our dream sauna. Even if you have a plan, even if you manage to get everything you need at a bargain, and even if you do all the work yourself, you’ll still be investing hundreds of hours of your intellectual and physical labor.2 If you value your time at $0, sure, maybe $20 000 is doable. But for most people, that’s not realistic.
it must be done right
What if you don’t have the time or inclination to build it yourself? And what if you’re committed to doing it right—insulated walls, high benches, proper ventilation, and stunning aesthetics? Imagine a Yakisugi exterior, efficient windows, slate floors, clear cedar paneling, a wood-burning stove with 200 pounds of granite stones, a tranquil change room, and a mixed sedum green roof to top it all off. It’s a sauna done the way it should be—beautiful and built to last. It’s not $6 000. It’s not $20 000 either.
well, what do other people charge?
Quality costs a lot. Don't just take my word for it. Take a look at Heartwood Saunas, a dedicated sauna builder in Wales.1 They make truly gorgeous saunas (but take a look through our article2 again and see if you notice anything while you're looking through their gallery). Their saunas range from $50 000 to more than $160 000. Many local builders may charge similar rates—or more, depending on your specifications. With construction costs, materials, and customization, spending $100 000 on a custom sauna isn’t unusual.
tl;dr: $40 000
But quality doesn’t have to mean highway robbery. While our saunas start at $40 000, there’s plenty of room to adjust pricing depending on aesthetic options and add-ons. Regardless of the options you choose, however, you can rest assured that your sauna will be exactly as it should be. It will be well-insulated, well-ventilated, and designed with precision. It will have high benches, properly matched stoves, and carefully considered layouts to optimize performance and comfort. And it will be beautiful.1
seeing is believing
This article is all about money, but here's the most important number for you to take away: $0. That’s how much it’ll cost you to visit our sauna and see for yourself whether it’s for you. You can read every article, watch every video, and calculate any number of scenarios, but nothing will convey the feeling of stepping into a truly nice sauna—the quiet, the heat, the peacefulness. Some people don’t care for it. Others say it’s the greatest experience in the world. There’s only one way to find out which camp you’re in. Come visit, and let us show you what a sauna can really be.
see for yourself
Ready to experience the timeless tradition of sauna for yourself? Step away from the everyday and immerse yourself in a world of heat, steam, and relaxation. Book your free session at our sauna and discover the profound joy of connection, renewal, and wellness firsthand.