A home steam shower cost usually lands somewhere between about $3,000 and $10,000 installed, according to national cost guides, and the steam equipment is only part of that. At the time of writing, SteamSpa Oasis, Royal and Black Series packages on our site are listed from $1,559 to $3,129, and the rest of the budget goes to the sealed enclosure, tile, glass door, a dedicated 240V circuit and plumbing. This guide breaks down each line so you can price your own project before you call a contractor.
Our steam shower vs sauna comparison gives the quick version. Here we go line by line.
What national cost guides say a steam shower costs
Two cost guides we opened give similar pictures. HomeGuide (August 2025) puts the average installed steam shower at $3,000 to $10,000, with a national average of $5,200. It splits that by project type: $2,900 to $6,800 for a prefab insert, $2,300 to $11,700 to convert an existing shower, and $4,000 to $16,500 for a custom build.
Bob Vila’s steam shower cost guide, citing Angi and HomeAdvisor data, gives a typical range of $2,650 to $6,050 and an average of $4,325. It also estimates about $4,300 to convert an existing shower and about $6,500 to add a steam shower from scratch. That guide was last updated in 2023, so treat its numbers as a floor rather than today’s price.
The spread is wide because converting a sealed, tiled shower is a much smaller job than building a new custom stall.
Steam generator price by kW and package
The generator is the one line item you can price exactly. Prices below are from our listings at the time of writing. Package prices are for the Matte Black finish with auto drain included where that is an option.
| Size | Generator only | Oasis Series Package | Royal Series Package | Black Series Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 kW (75 cu ft) | $1,499 | $1,895 | $2,489.89 | $2,375.99 |
| 7.5 kW (190 cu ft) | $1,317.99 | $2,059.89 | $2,654.89 | $2,523.99 |
| 9 kW (255 cu ft) | $1,799 | $2,289 | $2,889 | $2,731.99 |
| 12 kW (430 cu ft) | $1,999 | $2,499 | $3,129 | $2,949.99 |
Cubic foot ratings come from the generator listings. Links: 4.5 kW QuickStart generator, 7.5 kW, 9 kW, 12 kW, the Oasis Series Package, the Royal Series Package and the Black Series Package. The Black Series Package is also listed in 15 to 24 kW sizes, up to $2,992.99 for 24 kW. The Oasis package starts at $1,559 for its lowest priced configuration.
Two things stand out. First, the listed generator-only prices do not rise neatly with size (the 7.5 kW is listed below the 4.5 kW), so compare the exact size you need rather than assuming smaller is cheaper. Second, pick the kW from your room, not your budget. Our steam shower generator size guide walks through the cubic foot math.
Generator only vs a package
Every QuickStart generator listing says it needs a SteamSpa control panel and steamhead to run. Control panel kits on our site are listed from $529.89 to $1,076.94. Add that to a $1,499 4.5 kW generator and you are already past the $1,895 Oasis package price for the same size, which per its listing includes the generator, control panel, steamhead, pressure relief valve, auto drain system and an aroma sample. For most buyers a package is the cheaper route.
What you get as you move up: the Royal package listing adds dual control panels, an LED light, a filter and a drain pan. The Black package listing adds a touchscreen with WiFi app control, Bluetooth, two speakers, chromatherapy and white LED lights and a drain pan.
Small parts to add
- Complete Essentials Installation Kit STMKIT-02: $249.94. The listing includes an inline water filter with three extra cartridges, a 10 to 15 psi pressure reducing valve, a shutoff valve and a 20 in steel flex hose. The generator listings recommend it.
- Stainless steel drainage pan G-DPAN: $119.99, if your package does not already include one.
Steam shower installation cost: the enclosure
The enclosure is usually the biggest variable. Ferguson’s steam shower buying guide explains why: steam has to be held in a completely enclosed space, typically with glass doors that run floor to ceiling, or it escapes into the room, wasting water and energy and causing condensation damage to walls and cabinets. The same guide notes porous materials like marble take longer to heat and need a bigger generator, which raises the equipment line too.
A steam enclosure also needs a vapor-proof membrane, a sloped ceiling so condensation runs down the walls instead of dripping, and a sealed door. We cover those build requirements in the steam shower vs sauna guide linked above; the cost of that waterproofing is usually inside the tile and labor lines below.
- Glass enclosure: $800 to $3,600 (HomeGuide). Bob Vila lists $500 to $1,350 for a glass door and $700 to $1,900 for glass walls.
- Tile: $7 to $25 per square foot, or $800 to $3,000 on average (HomeGuide). Bob Vila puts wall tile for a 36 by 36 by 84 in shower at $640 to $1,400 including labor.
- Installation labor: HomeGuide lists $400 to $800 for a prefab unit, $750 to $2,600 for a conversion and $1,200 to $4,400 for a custom build.
- Exhaust fan: $250 to $500 (Bob Vila). Ferguson also recommends one to clear moisture from the bathroom.
Electrician and plumber costs
The four QuickStart generators in the table above are listed at 240V, and per those listings the draw goes from 19A for the 4.5 kW to 50A for the 12 kW, so a larger generator usually means heavier wire and a bigger breaker. HomeGuide puts a new electrical circuit at $250 to $900 and electrician rates at $50 to $130 per hour. Plumbers run $45 to $150 per hour by the same source; they run the water supply and steam line and set up the pressure reducing valve and drain.
Distance matters. A generator in a closet next to the shower and close to the panel keeps both trades short. A licensed electrician and plumber, and your local code, have the final word on wire size, breaker, permits and steam line routing.
Sample steam shower cost budget
| Line item | Low | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generator package | $1,559 | $3,129 | Our listings |
| Installation kit | $249.94 | $249.94 | Our listing |
| Glass enclosure | $800 | $3,600 | HomeGuide |
| Tile | $800 | $3,000 | HomeGuide |
| New electrical circuit | $250 | $900 | HomeGuide |
| Installation labor (conversion) | $750 | $2,600 | HomeGuide |
| Exhaust fan | $250 | $500 | Bob Vila |
Added up, that is $4,658.94 to $13,978.94. Skip lines you already have: a tiled shower with a sealed glass door can drop the enclosure and tile rows entirely. Your contractor’s written quotes replace these.
Running and upkeep costs
HomeGuide estimates $0.35 to $0.70 in electricity for a 30-minute session; your rate and generator size change that. It also lists repairs at $300 to $750 on average. Scale is what drives most repairs, so filter cartridges and draining matter. Our steam shower maintenance guide covers the routine.
A note on health: wellness claims for steam bathing are the manufacturer’s. If you are pregnant, have heart or blood pressure concerns, or take medication, check with your doctor before using a steam shower.
Frequently asked questions
What is the typical steam shower installation cost?
Labor alone runs $750 to $2,600 for a conversion and $1,200 to $4,400 for a custom build per HomeGuide, before the enclosure, tile, electrical and equipment.
What is the steam generator price for a home shower?
At the time of writing, SteamSpa QuickStart generators on our site are listed from $1,317.99 to $1,999 for the generator alone, and Oasis, Royal and Black Series packages from $1,559 to $3,129.
Is it cheaper to convert an existing shower?
Usually. Bob Vila estimates about $4,300 to convert versus about $6,500 to build from scratch, but only if your shower can be fully sealed.
Do I need a dedicated 240V circuit?
Yes for the QuickStart generators above, which are listed at 240V. HomeGuide puts a new circuit at $250 to $900; your electrician sizes it.
Want help pricing the right package for your room? Call us at 866-777-2590 (Mon to Fri, 9AM to 6PM PST). Shipping is free freight on orders of $999 or more and a $200 flat rate below that, and our return and refund policy has the details. You can also browse the full SteamSpa lineup.
