Buying a second-hand sauna
The short answer
A used sauna can save money, especially an indoor cabin that comes apart in panels. Check the wood for rot and mould, that the heater works and you know its model, and the stones and wiring. Add collection, reassembly and a registered electrician to the price, then compare with new saunas from about €2,099 with a warranty.
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When it makes sense
- Indoor cabins are designed to come apart in panels, so they move most easily.
- Garden saunas are heavier and harder to move, and time outdoors takes its toll on the timber.
- Infrared cabins depend on their panels and electronics; make sure they all work and parts are still available.
What to check
| Part | Look for |
|---|---|
| Wood | Soft or dark patches, mould, musty smell, warped panels, cracked barrel staves |
| Roof (garden) | Leaks, lifting shingles or felt, water marks inside |
| Heater | Model number and manual, rust, limescale or discoloured elements, working controls |
| Stones | Crumbling or discoloured stones and grit under the heater; budget for new ones |
| Infrared panels | Every panel heats, no damaged covers or loose wiring |
| Door and glass | Closes properly, no cracks in the glass |
Costs people forget
- Dismantling and collection, often with a van and two people, or lifting equipment for a garden sauna.
- A base for a garden sauna. See base and siting.
- Reconnection by a registered electrical contractor, which the law requires. See electrical requirements.
- New stones, about €45 to €51 per 20 kg box. See sauna stones.
- No warranty, unless it transfers.
What to ask the seller
- How old is it, where was it bought, and is there a receipt?
- What's the heater's make, model and power?
- Has it been used indoors or out, and how often?
- Will they help dismantle it, and do they have the assembly instructions?
- Does any warranty transfer to a new owner?
Common questions
Is it worth buying a second-hand sauna?
It can be, especially an indoor cabin that comes apart into panels. Factor in collection, reassembly, a registered electrician to reconnect it, and any parts that need replacing, and compare the total with a new sauna that comes with a warranty.
What should I check on a used sauna?
Look for rot, mould or warped panels, cracks in barrel staves, a heater that works and has its manual and model number, crumbling stones, damaged wiring or panels on infrared cabins, and whether the warranty transfers.
Can you move a garden sauna?
Some can be taken apart and rebuilt; others are moved whole with lifting equipment. Barrels and cabins built from staves or logs can be dismantled, but it's a big job. Ask the original seller whether they move or rebuild their own saunas.
Can I reconnect a second-hand sauna heater myself?
No. In Ireland, electrical work must be done by a registered electrical contractor, who will check the heater is suitable and give you a completion certificate.
Sources
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