Frequently Asked Questions

How much will it cost?

We really don’t mean to be cagey — but it does depend a lot on design, materials, location, and other factors. The range we’ve seen, even in a relatively small sample of projects, is quite broad. 

By and large, indoor installations come in a bit lower. We’ve done one for under $12K but have also seen a similar project run over $20K.

Free-standing outdoor sauna projects tend to be pricier because building the structure itself doubles the labor time. With a lot of client collaboration (see below) we’ve been able to keep an outdoor build at around $15K, but a project like this can easily cost twice that or more if there are a lot of special requests.

NOTE: Our price estimates do not include stove or stove installation.

How long will it take?

From your initial inquiry to ladling water onto the stones in your new hot room, it could be anywhere from six months to a year. A custom build with a personalized design and ethically sourced materials is a slow-cook process (visit our Sauna Project Timeline page for details). This ensures you’re getting exactly the sauna you want! And it will be a fixture for your family and community for decades and beyond — being deliberate pays off.

Midwinter inquiries are common, for obvious reasons, and this works perfectly for us. It means we can be developing designs when it’s icy out and be ready to build in the warmer months. Our active season is typically May to October. We do not recommend wintertime installations — we can handle cold weather ourselves, but wood (including precious paneling) and other materials require special handling and perform less well when installed under these conditions.

The build itself will feel fast, once all the planning and preparation is complete — an installation typically takes either about three weeks (indoor) or six weeks (outdoor), assuming a two-person crew working five days a week.

I’m not in the Twin Cities metro. Do you travel?

We are willing to travel for a sauna build, yes, but please be aware of the logistical questions and additional costs this tends to entail. It has worked in the past for us to stay or camp on site if it is a remote job (in northern Minnesota, for example). Our maximum range is approximately a four hours’ drive in any direction from Minneapolis.

We also expect clients on remote jobs to work directly with local suppliers in their region for most materials procurement; we “know the territory” in the Twin Cities metro, but you’re the expert on where to get the things you need where you are.

We can work at remote sites for phases of maximum three weeks at a time. In other words, we could do an indoor installation within one visit, and would split an outdoor installation over two visits. If we stay off-site in paid accommodation we would expect the client to cover this expense, as well as gas.

I’m on a tight budget. Do you have lower-priced options?

Healing spaces should be affordable and accessible. Part of our mission as sauna builders is to make the sauna experience available to people and communities who might not have ready access to what is becoming seen in some circles as an exclusive “luxury” product.

We will work with you to find ways of bringing costs down. Frequently what this looks like is a deeper collaboration between us; you and your family and friends can participate in and contribute to the project in a number of ways that can knock substantial amounts off the sticker price — and that will make the sauna more special, too.

Do you offer more than just saunas? What if I want a deck or a cold plunge or something like that, or a loungier changing room?

Let’s get wild. We have experience in general construction and home renovation, so we can do more extensive projects — and we are always excited to try new things. We follow the latest trends in sauna construction around the region, and are constantly impressed with the things people come up with when they have the resources to try something different. 

How about an integrated deck under an extended roof overhang? An external-feed stove that doubles as a fireplace in the changing room? A hot room that can double as a guest room, with benches that convert to beds? What about sheltered firewood storage as part of the structure?

This is why we foreground custom designs and collaborative planning — every build is unique. Be creative with us! We will work with you to make your ideas a reality.