Last updated on February 21st, 2024
Home sauna cost guide
Home saunas can be more affordable than you might think, depending on the size and specification you go for.
In this guide, we’ll look at the average cost of home sauna installation, from installing a kit to building one from scratch. This should give you an idea of basic costs so you can start planning your exciting new project.
How much does a home sauna cost?
The cost of a home sauna depends on the size, type and specification. For example, you can buy a very basic sauna kit for as little as £900. For a larger, high-quality Scandinavian sauna kit, you could end up paying as much as £17,000.
| Low cost | High cost | Average cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of home sauna kit | £900 | £17,000 | £8,950 |
| In-home sauna cost | £3,600 | £14,800 | £9,200 |
| Installation costs | £1,850 | £2,467 | £2,160 |
| Cost of building a custom sauna | £7,500 | £12,000 | £9,750 |
| Electrician per hour | £35 | £45 | £40 |
| Powder fire extinguisher | £7 | £12 | £10 |
| Building regulations | £150 | £250 | £200 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
In-home sauna cost
Many home saunas are installed outdoors, where there’s more space. For example, in a converted garage, shed or outbuilding.
But if you have the room indoors, you can add a sauna to your bathroom or convert a spare room. These saunas are usually very compact and cost between £3,600 – £14,800 depending on the specification.
Home sauna installation cost
As well as the cost of buying the sauna itself, you’ll also need to pay to have it installed by a competent professional. You can put some home sauna kits together yourself if you have basic DIY or carpentry skills. However, you’ll still need a qualified electrician.
Unless you have the relevant experience, it’s recommended to bring in an expert to install the whole sauna. The cost of home sauna installation by a professional tends to be around £2,160 to complete the job.
Cost of building a home sauna
Instead of having a kit sauna installed, there’s also the option of building a custom sauna. As it’s a bespoke build, the cost can vary considerably depending on the size and specifications of the sauna. Plus, where it’ll be installed.
On average though, you could expect to pay up to £12,000 for a custom sauna with a glass front, LED lighting and high-quality finishes.
Outdoor sauna cost
If you’ve not got the space indoors, you could add a sauna to your garden to create an outdoor spa retreat.
| Outdoor sauna | Low cost | High cost | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor sauna (supply only) | £2,500 | £10,000 | £4,000 |
| Outdoor sauna (installation) | £2,000 | £10,000 | £4,000 |
The low costs would cover a small freestanding unit with a simple base/foundation and service connections. The high costs would cover a large barrel-type sauna, a glass front and some landscaping around the front of the sauna.
Ice bath cost
An ice bath is a technique used to allow yourself to submerge in very cold water, it is similar to the cold plunge pools often found in therapeutic spas.
Ice baths have been rising in popularity, with plenty of celebrities now extolling the health benefits of regular freezing submersions. Take inspiration from Joe Wicks and add an ice bath to your home, you can release your inner Wim Hof.
| Ice bath | Low cost | High cost | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice bath (supply only) | £4,000 | £8,000 | £5,000 |
| Ice bath (installation) | £1,500 | £8,000 | £3,000 |
The low costs would cover a small ice bath, pump, filter and chiller unit along with a simple base/foundation and services connections. The high costs would cover a larger, modern ice bath unit complete with built-in temperature control plus some landscaping.
How much does a steam room cost?
If the dry heat of a sauna isn’t your thing, then why not have a home steam room installed? Steam rooms are very similar to saunas, but instead of using dry heat from hot rocks or a closed stove, steam rooms are heated using a generator that is filled with boiling water.
A steam room has many health benefits, including:
- Improving circulation
- Clearing any congestion
- Removing toxins from skin
- Loosening joints and helping with workout recovery
The cost to build a steam room will depend on a range of factors such as the size, design, generator and where you are based geographically (prices tend to skew higher in London and the South East). You also need to think about the placement of your steam room to consider things such as drainage.
| Type of steam room | Low cost | High cost |
|---|---|---|
| Steam shower (including installation) | £1,500 | £5,000 |
| Steam room cost (including installation) | £3,000 | £40,000 |
| Ready made steam unit | £800 | £3,500 |
| Ready made steam unit installation | £3,000 | £5,000 |
As a ballpark figure, the cost of a steam shower for the materials and installation will cost between £1,500 – £5,000 to install. For a fully built in steam room, you’re looking at a higher overall cost, and this can cost anything between £3,000 – £40,000 for the materials and installation. Remember, this includes the tiles, the generator and other features such as the door to keep the steam in. The bigger your steam room, the higher the cost.
If you’re looking for a steam room unit that’s ready made, then you can expect to pay between £800 – £3,500 for the unit and then between £3,000 – £5,000 for the installation, depending on your location.
FAQs
How much does it cost to run a home sauna?
It depends on the setup and size of your sauna, as well as any extra features such as lights. But on average, a home sauna costs between £10 – £30 a month to run.
Do I need planning permission to build a sauna?
If you’re building a new structure or extension from scratch, you may not need planning permission if it falls under permitted development. However, you’ll still need to meet certain conditions, as well as building regulations.
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Working with professional estimators, we collate cost estimates for the common home improvement and repair jobs in the UK.
All the costs are estimates only. For accurate costs for your particular requirements, you are encouraged to reach out to professional tradespeople to receive a quote for your job.
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