Before ordering, check the sauna’s requirements against your space and confirm what the package includes. This guide sets out the questions to ask when comparing options.
ConceptTraditional saunas use a heater to warm the air and room. Infrared cabins use radiant panels that warm the surfaces they reach more directly, while the surrounding air remains cooler. The experience and operating temperatures differ.
Compare the exact models, the space available and the manufacturer’s installation requirements before deciding.
Plan the route into the property as carefully as the sauna’s final position. Narrow doorways, stairs, tight corners, parking and heavy components can affect how the installation is organised. Share photos and measurements before delivery.
The site assessment also considers the base, drainage, weather exposure and the position of the power supply. Different models are intended for different settings; some need shelter and some are for indoor use. Check the requirements of the exact model.
A builder or landscaper handles any required groundwork, while an electrician assesses and quotes the electrical work separately. Confirm that preparation is complete and delivery is scheduled before agreeing an installation date.
“Kit” can mean different things. A panel-built package may arrive with pre-built panels, while a custom-cut package supplies components for installation on framed walls.
Before comparing prices or timelines, check whether the quote covers a freestanding panel-built room, a materials package for a built-in room, or the completed installation. Confirm dimensions, inclusions, site preparation and finishing work for the exact package.
Choose based on the type of heat you prefer and the requirements of the exact model. A traditional sauna heats the air and room; infrared uses radiant panels. Check the manufacturer’s dimensions, electrical requirements and installation instructions for each option before ordering.
Use the dimensions and installation requirements for the exact model, then check both the proposed position and the route used to bring it in. Send photos and measurements of doorways, stairs and tight access points. A site consultation can help identify whether the location and preparation are suitable.
Running costs depend on the heater or infrared system, how long it operates and your electricity tariff. Compare the manufacturer’s information for the exact model and consider how often you expect to use it. Warm-up time and operating conditions also affect the total, so a single hourly price would not suit every sauna.
Compare the timber, the sauna’s construction and the care required in its intended setting. Ask the supplier which finishes are suitable, how exposure to weather affects the product and what maintenance is needed. A timber name alone does not tell you how the complete sauna will perform at your property.
Compare the cost and scope of the completed installation. Check whether the package includes a panel-built room or materials for a room built on site, then confirm who supplies the framing, finishes and installation.
Ask what is included, what site preparation is required, which electrical and ventilation requirements apply, who installs the system, how warranty support works, and whether replacement parts are available. Request the installation manual for the exact model before ordering so the site requirements can be checked.
A consultation may help when you are comparing products, unsure whether a model suits the space, or need the installation requirements reviewed before ordering. It is a separate paid service, so request the current scope and price before booking.
Book a pre-purchase consultation before you commit to a sauna or ice bath.