Additional saunas costs are usually associated with the type of sauna, or seller, and you’re sauna location. Here’s a list of potential unforeseen sauna costs:
- Transport: Local or overseas transport of saunas can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.
- Accessories: Bucket & ladle, sauna hats, and additional accessories can cost tens to hundreds of dollars.
- Labour: Professional building and installation can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.
- Insurance: Covering saunas in your homeowner’s insurance can cost $100 to $300.
- Additional Features: Customizing your sauna can cost hundreds of dollars.
- Permits and Compliance: Building permits, electrical permits, and inspections can cost hundreds of dollars.
Factors Affecting Sauna Costs
When accounting for each detail of your saunas specifications, the total cost can vary significantly. Here are the key factors that affect the total cost of your sauna:
Size
Sauna sizes range from accommodating one person to 20+ people. Large designs will be more costly as they’ll need more material, take longer to install, and be heavier to transport.
Indoor vs Outdoor
A sauna located outdoors can be up to 30% more expensive than an indoor sauna. That’s because they are heavier for transport, require stronger materials, need extra utilities and site preparation.
Barrel vs Square
A barrel and square sauna are two common designs for outdoor saunas, however barrel’s tend to be pricier. Although they are usually smaller, they require precise craftsmanship to get their distinctive curvature.
Material
Generic prefab saunas typically come with standard-grade pine wood. Opting for higher quality material such as red wood or hemlock can be up to three times as expensive, but will be more durable and heat efficient.
Prefab vs Custom vs DIY
Prefabricated saunas are the cheapest option because they are mass-produced in factories. DIY save on professional installment, putting them in the mid-tier price range. Custom saunas are the most expensive, offering features and quality.
Brand
Purchasing your sauna from a reputable brand is typically more expensive than unknown brand, such as one from Amazon. However, using the reputable brand is a pretty safe bet to not get a defective product.
Maintenance
Maintenance expenses is the cost of upkeep to keep your sauna in a usable condition. You’ll have to account for electricity usage, sauna frequency, indoor vs outdoor, woodburning vs electric, cleaning protocols, and wood quality.
Additional Costs
Additional costs of having a sauna can include transport, accessories, labour, insurance, additional features, and permits and compliance. In some cases, additional costs can exceed the cost of the sauna.