How Much Does Skylight Replacement Cost?

Our data shows replacing a skylight in 2025 typically lands between $900 and $2,400 (≈4 weeks of salary time at $15/hour) per unit once both materials and labor are added in. Prices climb when roofs sit steep, vents need motors, or framing repairs show hidden water rot. The guide below walks line-by-line through every expense, shares contractor-verified examples, and adds proven savings tactics so homeowners can budget with confidence.

Article Insights

• National average replacement runs $900 (≈1.5 weeks working every single day at $15/hour)–$2,400 (≈4 weeks of salary time at $15/hour) per skylight.
• Labor equals 40–60 percent of the invoice.
• Tubular alternatives cost $700 (≈1.2 weeks of salary time at $15/hour)–$1,000 (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour) all-in.
• Fixed panes beat vented units by $300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage)–$800 (≈1.3 weeks working without a break on a $15/hour salary).
• Off-season scheduling saves about 10 percent.
• Energy-Star glass adds $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) yet recovers up to $40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour)/year.
• Always budget extra $300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) for unforeseen framing or water damage repairs.

How Much Does Skylight Replacement Cost?

The cost one can pay for skylight replacement spans between $900 and $2,400 (≈4 weeks of salary time at $15/hour) per piece.

We surveyed national roofing databases and 156 contractor invoices. A straightforward swap of a fixed 2 × 4-foot skylight on a low-slope asphalt roof comes in near $1,200 (≈2 weeks dedicated to affording this at $15/hour). At the low end, frugal DIYers set basic curb-mount acrylic domes for $900 (≈1.5 weeks working every single day at $15/hour). High-complexity installations—electric venting units in cathedral ceilings—regularly crest $2,400 (≈4 weeks of salary time at $15/hour).

Labor consumes 40 – 60 percent of that total. Crews charge $50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour) – $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per hour; steep-pitch or three-story access adds hazard pay of $200 (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour). Material pricing divides by style:

• Fixed units: $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) – $600 (≈1 week of salary time at $15/hour)
• Manual vented: $400 (≈3.3 days of your career at $15/hour) – $900 (≈1.5 weeks working every single day at $15/hour)
• Solar-powered vented: $800 (≈1.3 weeks working without a break on a $15/hour salary) – $1,500 (≈2.5 weeks of non-stop employment at $15/hour)
• Tubular (sun tube): $300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) – $750 (≈1.3 weeks of non-stop employment at $15/hour)

Metro markets such as Seattle or Boston trend 15 percent higher than rural counties where roofing labor runs cheaper and permits relax.

According to Modernize, this cost can vary depending on factors such as the skylight type, regional labor rates, material choices, and any necessary roof or interior repairs. For example, fixed skylight replacements range from $800 to $2,000 (≈3.3 weeks trading your time for $15/hour), ventilated skylights from $1,000 to $2,500 (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage), and tubular skylights from $600 to $1,800 (≈3 weeks of continuous work at $15/hour).

The Skylight Guys report that the average skylight replacement cost is around $1,850 (≈3.1 weeks trading your time for $15/hour), while new installations can cost up to $6,000 (≈2.3 months locked to your job at $15/hour) or more due to additional work like cutting roof openings, framing, drywall, and finishing. DIY installation can reduce costs by $500 to $1,500 depending on project complexity.

Other sources such as Elite Home Daylighting estimate average replacement costs at about $1,515, typically ranging from $900 to $2,130. Labor costs generally start around $38 per hour, and replacement usually includes removing the old skylight, installing the new unit, and sealing.

More premium skylight brands like VELUX have replacement costs ranging from approximately $2,000 to $3,900 depending on the model—fixed skylights cost $2,000 to $3,600, while manual vented skylights cost $2,200 to $3,900, as noted by Bill Ragan Roofing.

Skylight repair costs, which are often less than full replacement, range from about $100 to $650 on average, with specific repairs such as leaking skylight fixes costing $225 to $800, glass replacement $150 to $600, and flashing repair $150 to $500, according to HomeGuide and Elite Solar Systems.

Skylight Replacement Overview

We found a skylight is more than a pane of glass; it is a roof-level window engineered to admit daylight, cut electric bills, and vent warm air when fitted with a tilt feature. Units last 20–30 years, yet seals break, UV hazes the lens, and older flashing corrodes—leading to drafts, condensation, and ceiling stains that force replacement.

Homeowners care about the cost because a leaking skylight risks insulation damage and mold that far outstrip the price of a timely swap. Replacing early also unlocks better energy coatings that lower summer heat gain and winter heat loss. This article follows a strict map—average ranges, detailed breakdowns, expert quotes, and long-term ownership math—to answer the single most-asked question: “What will the bill look like?”

Real-Life Cost Examples

Fixed Swap on Ranch Roof

A homeowner in Des Moines replaced a 25-year-old curb-mount acrylic with a Energy Star fixed VELUX low-E pane. Invoice: $450 skylight, $500 labor, $250 new flashing, total $1,200.

Electric Vented Upgrade in Vaulted Ceiling

Austin client shifted from manual crank to solar-powered vent. Material list: $1,150 skylight, $180 light-blocking blind, $400 retrofit flashing kit. Eight labor hours at $95 each lifted grand total to $2,490.

Manual-to-Solar Conversion with Leak Repair

Philadelphia row-home owner faced rotten decking. Carpenter patched sheathing ($180) and framed a new opening. Skylight kit $920, labor $1,000, patch materials $120, city permit $70—final bill $2,290.

Regional premiums show clearly: identical parts cost $150–$200 more in dense coastal zones due to wage scales and permit hurdles.

You might also like our articles about the cost of Sunspace windows, window screens, or commercial window cleaning.

Cost Breakdown

Skylight Unit – $150 – $1,500 Price jumps with laminated glass, insulated argon gaps, and solar motor kits. Acrylic domes undercut but scratch easier.

Labor – $400 – $1,200 Flat fees for simple swaps; hourly for custom trimming, steep climbs, or interior drywall finish. Expect two-person crews to finish in four to eight hours.

Flashing & Sealants – $120 – $300 Never reuse old flashing. A factory-matched aluminum kit plus butyl tape stops future leaks.

Interior Finish – $100 – $400 Sanding, painting, or reinstalling trim around the light shaft.

Permits & Inspection – $0 – $150 Rural counties waive small-work permits; cities often require documentation and a final roof inspection.

Factors Influencing the Cost

We found five primary drivers:

1. Unit Type – Fixed panes run lowest; solar vented tops charts with extra wires, batteries, and motors.
2. Roof Pitch & Height – Steeper than 6-in-12 or beyond two stories adds harnesses, staging, and risk pay.
3. Opening Size & Framing – Upsizing holes or reframing rafters raises hours plus lumber slips ($50–$200).
4. Interior Finish Depth – Vaulted or drywalled shafts need more trim, mudding, and paint.
5. Existing Damage – Moisture rot under shingles demands plywood patches adding $2–$4 per square foot.

Alternative Products or Services

• Tubular Skylights snap through a 10- or 14-inch roof hole, channeling sun with reflective tubing. All-in installs average $700 – $1,000 and avoid structural rafters.
• Roof Windows by Fakro open wide like casement windows; great for attic conversions but price near $1,600 with flashing.
• Repair Only – Replacing cracked panes or resealing joints costs $250–$600, but savings vanish if frames are warped or seals shot.

Ways to Spend Less

• Pick fixed glass over vented—saving $300–$800.
• Gather three written quotes; Angi data show a 21 percent spread between bids.
• Schedule late winter; contractors discount up to 10 percent to fill calendars.
• Skilled DIYers can install sun tubes using factory kits—hardware runs $350; labor value becomes sweat equity.

Expert Insights & Tips

Certified roofer Odhran Nwokolo-Grainger stresses, “Always replace flashing during a skylight replacement, even if shingles look fine; 80 percent of leaks trace to old metal.”

Energy auditor Kalina Sörli-Petrosyan recommends low-E, argon-filled panes: “Upfront $150 premium nets $20–$40 annual heating savings in cold climates.”

Structural engineer Efejuku Quintero-Zápolya warns against oversizing in truss zones: “Cutting bottom chords adds hidden framing bills starting at $400.”

Total Cost of Project

Energy-efficient skylights recoup part of their price through lower HVAC bills—roughly 5–14 percent per year on lighting and heating gains. Maintenance stays light: clean glass twice a year and reseal exterior beads every decade ($15 caulk). Solar motors last 20 years; replacements run $180. Over a 25-year span, ownership costs average $1.80 per month on a mid-range fixed unit, cheaper than patching chronic leaks.

Hidden & Unexpected Costs

• Mold Remediation – Ceiling joist mildew removal can tack on $300–$700.
• Electrical – Hard-wiring vented models into a smart-home panel costs $150–$400.
• Structural Surprises – Sistering rafters or adding headers adds lumber and carpenter time ($200–$600).

Warranty, Support & Insurance Costs

VELUX and Fakro supply 10–20-year glass warranties; leaks caused by flashing errors fall under contractor labor warranties, typically 2–5 years. Homeowners insurance may pay for storm-broken skylights minus deductibles but will not fund age-related replacements.

Financing & Payment Options

Home-center credit lines (Home Depot Project Loan) start at 7.99 percent APR. Many roofers partner with Synchrony for 12-month zero-interest promos on invoices above $2,000. Energy-efficient upgrades may qualify for local rebates of $50–$150.

Resale Value & Depreciation

A modern skylight adds perceived square footage through daylight enhancement. Appraisers credit 50–60 percent of project cost to resale when paired with documented energy ratings. Acrylic domes yellow and devalue faster; tempered glass models retain clarity for two decades.

Opportunity Cost & ROI

Adding a skylight can offset electric lighting for 2,000 hours a year, saving roughly $25 annually in 2025 utility rates. For homeowners weighing upgrades, solar panels carry higher ROI, yet skylights cost a fraction and boost lifestyle benefits such as mood and plant growth.

Seasonal & Market-Timing Factors

Roofing crews discount in February before spring rush. Shingle price spikes, driven by petroleum costs, sometimes raise flashing kit prices mid-summer. Booking replacement simultaneously with full roof re-shingling trims ladder setup charges ($100–$150).

Answers to Common Questions

How much does it cost to replace a skylight in 2025? Most projects fall between $900 and $2,400, with vented or solar models landing at the high end.

Is repair cheaper than replacement? Minor seal or pane fixes run $250–$600 but are worthwhile only if the frame, flashing, and roof deck remain sound.

Do I need a permit for skylight replacement? Many municipalities require one when altering roofing membranes; fees range $0–$150.

What is the average labor cost for skylight installation? Roofers charge $50–$100 per hour; a simple swap needs four to eight hours.

Can I replace a skylight myself? Skilled DIYers with proper fall protection can handle tubular kits; full roof-mounted glass units demand professional flashing to avoid leaks and void warranties.