Bringing more natural light into your home is one of the most rewarding home improvements you can make. On average, a complete professional skylight installation costs between $880 and $7,250 per unit. This includes both the skylight product and installation labor. A straightforward skylight replacement typically ranges from $2,000 to $5,250.
We’ll be the first to admit that those are some pretty wide price ranges. The wide range is because many factors go into determining the price of skylight installation or replacement. Now, let’s get into the details of how those costs break down.
How Much Does Professional Skylight Installation Typically Cost?
Professional skylight installation costs typically range between $880 and $7,250 for standard residential projects. Depending on the type of skylight you’re installing, the labor costs make up about half of your total project investment. Skylight installation consists of precise roof cutting, then installing the skylight and watertight flashing. Interior work can include framing, drywall, finishing, trim, and paint.
Here is a quick look at the typical price ranges for popular VELUX skylight models, including both the product and professional labor:
Skylight Type Replacement Installation Cost Range New Installation Cost Range VELUX Sun Tunnel Skylight Find a local installer for more detailed pricing $880 - $2,280 VELUX Fixed Skylight System $2,000 - $3,600 $2,800 - $5,000 VELUX Manual Fresh Air Skylight System $2,200 - $3,900 $3,200 - $5,900 VELUX Electric Fresh Air Skylight System $3,000 - $5,250 $4,000 - $7,250 VELUX Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylight System $2,900 - $5,150 $3,900 - $7,150
Labor does make up a significant percentage of a project’s costs. But hiring a professional skylight installer is more often than not a better value than the DIY route. Professional skylight installers ensure your roof and skylight warranties aren’t voided by incorrect installation practices. With secure installation and your warranty intact, you get lasting peace of mind with your new skylight too.
How Much Does a Skylight Installation Cost on Average?
A homeowner spends around $3,000 on average on a standard skylight project. Your exact price tag depends mainly on whether you are replacing an existing skylight or adding a brand new one where none existed before.
In this section, we’ll discuss averages for skylight projects involving one skylight unit. Average project costs can be higher when multiple skylights are installed or replaced.
1. Average Skylight Replacement Cost: approx. $2,800
Replacing an old skylight is faster and more budget-friendly than new cut-ins because your contractor can use the existing opening in your ceiling. Your installer simply swaps out the skylight unit, installs modern flashing on the roof, and reseals the exterior.
2. Average New Skylight Installation Cost: approx. $4,600
Adding a new skylight requires a bit more carpentry than a replacement does. Your installer needs to cut an opening in your roof and frame structural support headers between rafters before installing your skylight and flashing on the exterior. New skylight installation also involves more interior work. Inside, your installer will construct a drywall light shaft through your attic space, including all mudding, sanding, and painting needed for a finished look.
3. Average Tubular Skylight Installation Cost: approx. $1,500
The VELUX Sun Tunnel® Skylight, a tubular style skylight, is the most affordable and least invasive way to bring natural light to dark areas in your home. A tubular skylight is made up of highly reflective aluminum tubing that channels sunlight directly from the roof to the room below. The smaller tubing fits neatly between standard roof rafters and attic obstructions, so it doesn’t have as much extensive labor involved as traditional skylights.
Skylight Replacement vs. New Installation: What’s the Difference?
Before we get into the specific factors that impact skylight project costs, let’s talk about the general differences between the two main types of projects: a direct replacement or a brand-new cut-in. Understanding the difference between a replacement and a new cut-in is essential for budgeting your project.
Skylight Replacement Costs
A skylight replacement is the easiest way to refresh your room, eliminate old drafts, and upgrade to a modern, energy-efficient Skylight System. Key cost factors of a skylight replacement include:
- Existing Openings: Your installer fits the new unit directly into the current roof opening.
- Protects Interior Finishes: If your current skylight is being replaced for age and not because of any damage, your existing drywall shaft will stay in place and shouldn’t need to be reworked or repainted.
- Pairs Great with Re-Roofing: Replacing your skylights when you replace your roof allows you to coincide your roof and skylight warranties. Reroofing around an existing skylight can also cause damage to the skylight. So, you can save more on labor by having everything done at the same time.
New Skylight Installation Costs
A new skylight installation lets you transform any dark space in your home into a daylit retreat. Key cost factors of a new skylight installation include:
- Framing and Carpentry: Your installer will cut into your roof deck and safely frame an opening through your ceiling joists and roof rafters.
- Drywall Light Shaft: Inside your home, your installer will build, insulate, and paint a custom drywall tunnel that connects the new skylight to your ceiling to hide the attic space between.
- Electrical Work: If you opt for an electric venting skylight, like the VELUX Electric Fresh Air Skylight System, the skylight’s wiring will be directly connected to your home’s power. Your installer may do this, or they may call in an electrician to complete the work.
What Factors Impact Your Skylight Costs?
Every home is unique, so several practical details influence your overall skylight project cost, like roof pitch and materials, ceiling height, attic space, and skylight type.
- Roof Pitch and Shingle Material: Steep roofs require extra safety staging. Additionally, specialized materials like tile, metal, or slate take more time to flash than standard asphalt shingles.
- Ceiling Height and Attic Space: You can install a skylight regardless of your ceiling type, but it will affect your installation. Cathedral ceilings need minimal drywall framing. Flat ceilings with deep attics require a longer drywall tunnel, which adds labor. What’s in your attic is also a factor. Stored items and other movable objects can be cleared out then replaced around the new skylight. Your installer will work around HVAC units or other immovable features, which may limit where a new skylight can be installed.
- Fixed or Venting Skylights: Fixed Skylights provide bright, natural light, often at a more accessible price. Venting skylights also open to allow for natural airflow, so their price reflects this added feature. With the higher price point for product, venting skylight jobs tend to run higher overall costs than Fixed Skylights. If you are installing manual venting or solar-powered venting skylights, there shouldn’t be any additional labor for installing venting. No wiring is required to operate those models, so the installation process is typically the same as that of a fixed skylight. Electric-powered venting skylights require wiring, which adds to overall costs as well.
- Skylight Shades and Accessories: Any add-ons and accessories will naturally increase the cost of your project. VELUX Skylight Systems are built with a skylight shade already installed and come with pre-paired remotes, which helps mitigate some of these extra costs.
How to Plan Your Skylight Project in 4 Simple Steps
Now that you have an idea of what your skylight project could cost, here is a simple plan for taking you through the next steps of getting started with installation:
- Choose the room you want to transform. Walk through your home and identify any dark rooms or spaces that need better light or that would benefit from natural ventilation.
- Pick your skylight model. Consider the features of each type of skylight and determine whether fixed, venting, or Sun Tunnel skylights would best fit your space’s needs.
- Run your numbers. Use the VELUX Project Calculator to get an estimate tailored to your roof pitch and ceiling style.
- Talk to the experts. If you’re ready to get started with an installer, find one near you with the VELUX Installer Locator to get started on a roof assessment and quote. If you’d like to talk more about your project while still in the planning stages, schedule a free virtual consultation with a VELUX Design and Product Advisor. They can help you choose the best skylight for your home and better understand the scope of your project costs. Then, they can connect you with a local installer to get started.
*Disclaimer: All calculations are based on the estimated costs for both the product and installation. These estimates were generated assuming a typical installation and use national averages. Actual installation costs will vary from these estimates based on common variables in roof construction and shaft construction. Local delivery costs and applicable sales tax not considered for these estimates. These numbers are provided as estimates only. You must consult your contractor for validation of the actual price paid for your product and installation costs. These numbers are not intended to be used in your tax process.
