A dedicated in-home sauna is no longer a luxury reserved for resorts. Thanks to smarter building techniques and AI-powered estimating from CountBricks, Minneapolis homeowners can add this wellness feature without draining the budget. But how much does it really cost to install a sauna? The short answer: it depends on size, heat source, finishes, and the condition of your existing space. The long answer is what this guide is all about.
• DIY sauna kit installed in an unfinished basement: $4,500 – $7,500
• Mid-range custom cedar sauna with electrical build-out: $12,000 – $18,000
• Premium fully tiled steam/sauna combo with integrated lighting and sound: $25,000 – $40,000+
CountBricks clients typically fall in the middle category. Our AI estimate engine reviews live material pricing, local labor rates, and current code requirements to deliver a precise number in minutes. You can request your own instant breakdown at CountBricks.com/services.
Saunas are measured by interior cubic footage. A two-person unit averages 4' x 4', while a party-friendly six-person layout stretches to 8' x 10'. Every extra square foot adds lumber, insulation, heater capacity, and ventilation demands—multiplying material and labor costs. When CountBricks models your space, our blueprint takeoff tool highlights the cost impact of every inch in real time.
Electric heaters dominate the Twin Cities market because they are code-friendly and easy to service. Expect $900 – $1,800 for the unit plus dedicated 240-volt wiring. Wood-burning stoves bring authentic crackle and aroma but require a flue, spark arrestor, and additional fire-blocking—adding $2,000 – $3,500 to the project. Infrared panels run cooler and use less power, yet often need expanded wall space and specialty wiring. CountBricks electricians provide exact load calculations, permit drawings, and signed inspections so you avoid surprises.
• Framing lumber: Spruce or pine framing adds roughly $3 – $4 per square foot of framed wall
• Interior cladding: Clear-grade cedar costs about $5 – $7 per square foot, while hemlock or aspen can shave 10-15% off
• Benches & trim: Custom contoured benches run $40 – $60 per linear foot depending on profile
• Door & glazing: Tempered glass doors start at $600; oversized frameless glass panels can top $1,800
• Lighting & controls: Dimmable LED fixtures rated to 194°F cost $250 – $400 each; smart phone controls add $300+
The least expensive saunas are built in unfinished basements with nearby electrical panels. When carving a sauna into an existing bathroom or attic, framing modifications, new subfloors, and moisture control can double labor hours. CountBricks AI takes these site conditions into account the moment we scan your blueprint or LIDAR room capture.
Below is a sample mid-range estimate for a 6' x 8' electric sauna completed by CountBricks in South Minneapolis:
• Demolition & prep: $1,200
• Framing, insulation & vapor barrier: $2,900
• Cedar cladding & benches: $4,100
• Electric heater & controls: $1,600
• Dedicated 50-amp circuit & rough-in: $1,200
• Ventilation fan & ducting: $700
• Tempered glass door: $850
• Finish carpentry & detailing: $1,350
• Final cleaning & commissioning: $400
Total CountBricks investment: $14,300
You can explore more real-world numbers in our project gallery at CountBricks.com/portfolio.
Our platform listens to your conversation, identifies scope items like “two cedar benches” or “chromatherapy lighting,” and produces an itemized estimate before the meeting is over.
CountBricks AI reads architectural drawings, highlights framing, electrical, and finish quantities, and prices them against live supplier feeds in seconds. Manual errors and hidden contingencies vanish.
From vapor barriers rated for 240°F to GFCI protection near humid zones, our licensed crews build every sauna to meet or exceed Minnesota Residential Code. Final inspections sail through because CountBricks handles permit paperwork start to finish.
• Single point of contact—from first conversation to warm first session
• In-house carpenters, electricians, and tile setters reduce subcontractor delays
• Daily progress updates through the CountBricks client portal
Most basement or garage conversions are completed in 7–10 working days. Complex master-suite integrations may extend to three weeks when plumbing and tile work are involved.
Yes. Even a dry sauna releases moisture. CountBricks designs a balanced fresh-air intake and high-temp exhaust to protect adjacent rooms and maintain warranty coverage.
Absolutely. CountBricks partners with regional lenders offering 0% promotional financing for qualified homeowners. Ask during your consultation for details.
1. Voice consultation and instant estimate generation
2. On-site laser scan and structural assessment
3. Final proposal signing through the CountBricks portal
4. Permit submission and materials ordering
5. Demolition and rough-in framing
6. Electrical and ventilation installation
7. Cedar cladding, benches, and glass door setting
8. Final electrical hookup, testing, and client orientation
If you are still wondering how much to install a sauna in your Minneapolis home, let CountBricks remove the guesswork. Start a voice chat on CountBricks.com/consultation, upload a few photos, and receive a line-item price that reflects today’s material costs—not last quarter’s averages. Wellness is closer than you think.
When the Larsen family purchased a 1950s rambler in South Minneapolis, the unfinished basement laundry room felt wasted. Their dream was a cozy sauna that could double as a mud-season warming station. They opened a voice session on CountBricks.com, described the 11’ x 9’ space, and asked the key question: “How much to install a sauna?” Within eight minutes, our AI produced a $14,650 estimate that balanced comfort and budget.
• Leveraged existing 240-volt dryer circuit, reducing electrical rough-in by $600
• Selected tongue-and-groove aspen instead of western red cedar, saving 12% on wall cladding
• Reused masonry foundation walls as exterior sauna walls with upgraded foil-bubble vapor barrier
1. Day 1: Demo and subfloor leveling
2. Day 3: Framing, insulation, and vapor barrier inspection
3. Day 5: Electrical rough-in and heater delivery
4. Day 7: Bench millwork and glass door installation
5. Day 9: Final electrical hookup, temperature test to 190°F, and homeowner orientation
• Final invoice matched the AI estimate within 1.9% variance
• Utility bills increased by only $9 per month thanks to high-efficiency heater selection
• Property value appraised $21K higher after project completion, offering instant equity
• Invest in a Wi-Fi thermostat so you can pre-heat on your commute home
• Opt for a bench depth of at least 18 inches to allow comfortable reclining
• Add a CFLI (Controlled Fresh-Air Low Intake) vent near the floor—your lungs will thank you
From first tap on the app to first pour of water on the rocks, CountBricks keeps every stage transparent and on schedule. Get your own custom number today at CountBricks.com/consultation and turn unused square footage into a wellness retreat.
