What does a sauna cost in New Zealand?
The honest answer is "it depends", but that's not much help when you're planning. Here's a realistic starting point, and what moves the price up or down.
Get a quote for your saunaFrom around $25,000–$30,000.
For a custom sauna built into an existing space, such as a spare room, a garage corner or a pool house, a realistic starting point is around $25,000 to $30,000 including GST, and it goes up from there.
That covers the full room, properly built: insulation, a real vapour barrier, heat-rated cable, ventilation, sauna timber walls and ceiling, benches made in our workshop, a door, lighting and a heater sized to the room.
We can't give you one number for every sauna because no two are the same. Every FinnSauna sauna is designed for its space, and the same "two-person sauna" can be very different jobs depending on where it goes and what you want in it.
Six things that matter most.
1. Is there an existing structure?
Building inside an existing room is the starting point above. A standalone outdoor sauna needs its own building, base, roof and cladding, so it costs more.
2. Indoor or outdoor
Outdoor saunas also need weatherproofing and often a longer power supply run. Indoor saunas are usually simpler.
3. Wood-fired or electric
An electric heater needs a suitable power supply. A wood-fired stove needs no power, but adds a flue, heat shields and usually building consent.
4. Size
A bigger room needs more timber, more bench and a bigger heater.
5. Timber and finish
Spruce, aspen, thermally modified alder or Respect panelling all differ in price. Our timber guide explains the choices.
6. The level of standard
Glass walls, feature stone, infrared panels for a hybrid, smart controls, auto-dose water systems and fibre-optic lighting all add to the cost. A steam room is a different build again, fully waterproofed and tiled.
What the heater costs on its own.
The heater is one of the biggest single items. These are our own current prices, including GST, for the heater only:
- Electric heaters: from about $1,350 for small rooms, up to $17,000 or more for large and commercial units
- Wood-fired stoves: about $2,400 to $6,800, plus chimney and protection
- Infrared panels for a hybrid: about $1,900 to $2,100 each
- Steam generators: from about $7,900
Building your own? You can buy heaters, controls, timber and accessories from us and we'll help you choose the right size. Ask about a product.
Cheaper to run than you think.
All electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. What it costs depends on how far the sauna is from your switchboard and whether you need a new circuit. Bigger heaters sometimes need three-phase power, so we check your supply early.
Running costs are modest. With power at around 40 cents per kWh, an 8 kW heater running flat out costs about $3.20 an hour. Once the room is hot, the heater switches on and off to hold the temperature, so a typical session costs less. Infrared panels use a fraction of that, and a wood-fired sauna just needs firewood.
A well-built sauna, looked after properly, should last decades. Spending a bit more on what goes behind the walls is the best value you'll get.
The quickest way to a number.
Send us a few photos of the space and rough measurements, or a drawing if you have one. Tell us indoor or outdoor, wood-fired or electric, and anything you'd love to have. That's usually enough for us to give you a price.
We work all over New Zealand from our workshop in Whangaparāoa, Auckland. See the saunas we've built for ideas.
Saunas we've built.
Pool house pair
A sauna and steam room built onto a family pool house, with nothing held back.
Cabinet sauna
A compact sauna built into custom joinery, with a frameless glass front and a slim Harvia heater.
Fully loaded hybrid
A fully loaded hybrid sauna in Omaha, with every piece of modern sauna technology built in.
Common questions.
How much does a home sauna cost in NZ?
For a custom sauna built into an existing space, a rough starting point is around $25,000 to $30,000 including GST, going up with size, outdoor building work, timber, heater and extras.
Why does an outdoor sauna cost more?
It needs its own building: a base, roof, cladding and weatherproofing, plus a power supply run or a wood-fired stove with a flue.
How much does it cost to run a sauna?
At about 40 cents per kWh, an 8 kW heater at full power costs about $3.20 an hour, and less once the room is hot.
Can I save money by building it myself?
Some people do. We sell heaters, timber and accessories. Just don't skimp on the vapour barrier, heat-rated cable and ventilation. Here's why.
Do you sell sauna kits?
No. Every FinnSauna sauna is custom built. Kitsets cost less upfront, but are made to a standard size for no particular space.
Send us a few photos of the space and rough measurements. That is usually enough for us to tell you what is possible and give you a price.
Get a quoteOr call 0800 FINNSAUNA. Looking for a heater or timber? Product enquiry.