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Build a luxury DIY cold plunge from start to finish with this step-by-step plan. This is a complete build plan with shopping list, assembly diagrams, cut plans and supplemental video tutorials for each step in the process. Everything from framing to plumbing is included. You will be able to build a cold plunge that can hang with the $10K+ options out there. Details on the project are below. All digital download sales are final.
Dimensions:
Compatible Chillers:
Plan Features:
*Rough estimate on total cost to build is $3,000 depending on chiller.
All digital download orders are final and non-refundable.
I know where my skills lie and its not in wood working. I opted to trade some car detailing with my contractor for him to help me with the build and it turned out great!
I opted for the larger 48" length tank since I'm 6'4". Gives me plenty of room over the 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank I was using before. One heads up I would give anyone looking to order the rectangle tanks of either size is that the shipping of the tank will be a couple hundred bucks depending on where in the U.S. you live so keep that in mind while.pricing your build out.
Also, one initial mistake I made thinking I was going to filter more stuff was buy a non-pleated 5 micron filter. This was essentially choking the flow of my system down making my pump pulse instead of flowing freely. Joe made me aware of this so once I changed the filter to a pleated 30 micron one, everything flowed smoothly.
I'd also like to thank Jow for being so responsive throughout my build. Not sure how many emails he gets on a regular basis but of the 3 or so emails I sent, I dont think a response took longer than a day, so thanks Joe!
Thrilled with how my cold plunge turned out. Plan is easy to follow overall and the videos help you through some of trickier parts.
Joe was extremely helpful throughout the build process. Far exceeded my expectations. Previously ran a chest freezer conversion for 3 years before it gave out on me and this is 1,000 times better in quality and the overall plunge experience. I already bought the sauna plans and will be a follower for all future DIY plans.
Don’t even hesitate if you are on the fence of buying the plans… worth every cent!
Joe has created these easy to follow plans and videos that take you through the entire process saving you hours of time and money! He also responds to emails immediately when you need help.
I can’t thank him enough. My cold plunge has been running strong for almost 2 years without an issue.
Why Being Cheap Cost Me More for my cold plunge💸
I know my way around a shop. Tools, plumbing, woodworking — no problem. So when I set out to build a cold plunge, I figured I’d wing it instead of buying plans.
Big mistake.
🔁 15+ trips to the hardware store
🚫 A mountain of returns
⏳ Countless delays second-guessing every step
The worst part? The procrastination. I kept hesitating, not wanting to mess it up — and ended up wasting time and materials anyway.
Just look at this stack of receipts (yep, real photo). That’s the true cost of going it alone.
If I could do it over, I’d start with the plans here from DIY Cold Plunge. Joe’s guide is proven, tested, and regularly updated — and it would’ve saved me so many headaches.
Thinking of building your own? Don’t make my mistake.
I'm building cold plunge #2 WITH plans this time!
The short version:
Hi! I'm Joe, and I've helped thousands of people save thousands of dollars by building DIY Cold Plunges and Saunas.
I've got proven, beginner friendly plans and products to bring home BIG health benefits.
Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out 👍
Great ozone generator. Easy setup and works perfectly with a venturi. I struggled with keeping my plunge sanitized for months and this fixed all of that immediately. Highly recommended.
Awesome product! Straightforward plans, easy to follow, no BS. Will update when I actually build it.
I purchased the sauna plan after building a cold plunge last year. Both plans are very detailed, easy to follow, and include videos. So now I have both a sauna and a plunge for less than what others are selling one for. I have a great shop, but even without one this build can be easily
done with rudimentary tools and woodworking skills. The build is complete, waiting on the preorder heaters to ship.
I’m a hobbyist woodworker. Overall, I’m very happy with this build! I think it’s my most complex woodworking project to date. The materials list was great, the diagrams were clear, and the videos very helpful. Joe was quickly responsive when I emailed him with questions. I had a good time making this, and I’m impressed with the end-product. I’m proud that I built this, and I’m so excited for daily sauna sessions!
A couple things I would do different if I made this again: I would not use dimensional 2x4 and 2x6 fir lumber as it was thicker than the other framing wood that I bought, or I would plane it down to be the same thickness as the other wood. This caused my framing to bulge wherever it was used, and I didn’t realize it would be an issue until it was too late. This made fitting the siding to each panel difficult, and I wound up with some gaps and overhangs in some areas. I installed some trim to go along each edge to hide the imperfections at the seams. The jet black Varithane stain that Joe used wasn’t taking to my siding, so I had to buy black exterior paint instead.
Finding some of the materials was also a little difficult. Nobody had 5/4” cedar planks, and I drove all over to find decent 1x6 clear cedar, and it was pretty expensive at a specialty wood store. Finding the R15 value Rockwool at my Home Depot was pure luck… they don’t carry that anymore, but someone had recently returned one package, and there it was waiting for me.
I don’t think the materials list calls out a 1 ½” hole saw, so I had to go out and buy that right before I needed it. Not everyone has a nail gun, but luckily my friend let me borrow his.
My receipts came out to $1826.86, which is 50% more than the ~ $1200 stated, but I noticed items like the bulbs, cedar TNG, backrest, grommet cover, sauna oil, paint, and some misc supplies and tools were left out of his calculation. Plus things cost more in California. This still costs 1/3 of similar-style commercial infrared saunas. I would definitely recommend this project for someone who is good with tools and building stuff.
My friends are all asking me about my new sauna! It’s attention-getting for sure.