Cedar Sense Articles
Barrel Sauna Kit vs Fully Assembled: Which Should You Buy?
Short answer: buy a kit if you’re comfortable with tools, have a helper for a day and want to save money. Buy fully assembled if you want it ready the day it arrives, don’t want a project, or it’s a gift. For barrel saunas, a kit usually saves $1,000 to $3,000 for a similar size.
We’re Cedar Sense, a Minnesota sauna business that sells both: barrel sauna kits that ship to you, and fully assembled barrels we deliver with our own team.
Kit vs fully assembled at a glance
| Kit | Fully assembled | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (barrel, before heater) | From $4,390 | From $6,490 |
| Your time | About a day with two people, plus base and wiring | Base and wiring only |
| Typical wait | SaunaLife kits usually ship in 2 to 4 weeks | Made to order, usually 6 to 8 weeks |
| How it arrives | Boxed or on a pallet, curbside | Set on your base by the delivery team |
| Access needed | Can be carried in pieces through a gate | A clear path wide enough for the whole sauna |
| Risk | Gaps or leaks if rushed | Built and checked before it leaves |
When a kit makes sense
- You’ve built a shed, deck or furniture before and own basic tools.
- Your spot is hard to reach, like a backyard behind a narrow gate or a dock.
- You want to save money or get it sooner.
Good kits we sell: the SaunaLife E7 (4-person, from $5,190), the SaunaLife EE8G (6-person, from $7,190) and the Canadian Timber Tranquility (5 to 6 people with a porch, from $6,990).
When fully assembled makes sense
- You want to use it right away, without a build weekend.
- It’s a gift, or for a vacation rental or business where your time is worth more.
- You want a builder to stand behind the whole sauna, not just the parts.
Our assembled barrels are Minnesota-built Setri barrels, from the 2-person at $6,490 to the 8-person with changing room and porch at $14,490. We deliver them anywhere in the USA.
What you need either way
- A level base: pavers, compacted gravel or a deck, off the ground.
- Power or a chimney plan: most electric heaters need a 240V dedicated circuit and an electrician. Wood stoves need the right chimney clearances.
- A heater sized to the room: use our heater sizing calculator.
Building a sauna from scratch instead of a kit? See our DIY sauna materials page for wood, heaters, doors and full packages.
Common questions
Should I buy a sauna kit or a fully assembled sauna?
Buy a kit if you’re handy, have a helper and want to save money. Buy fully assembled if you want it ready to use, don’t want a weekend project, or it’s a gift.
How long does it take to build a barrel sauna kit?
About a day with two people for SaunaLife kits, longer for bigger kits or first-time builders. Plan extra time for the base and the electrical hookup.
How much cheaper is a sauna kit?
At Cedar Sense, barrel kits start at $4,390 and fully assembled barrels at $6,490, both before the heater. For similar sizes, a kit usually saves $1,000 to $3,000.
How is a fully assembled barrel sauna delivered?
Ours are delivered by our own team on a trailer and set on your prepared level base. You need a clear path wide enough for the sauna to reach the spot.
Do I need an electrician for a sauna kit?
For a hardwired electric heater, yes in most places. Most sauna heaters run on 240V and need a dedicated circuit. Check your local code.
Not sure which way to go? Call or text Mike at 218-760-2041.
