Skylight Installation Cost (2026)
Updated October 2026
Replacing an existing skylight costs $800–$3,000 installed (about $1,800 typical), but cutting a brand-new opening roughly triples the labor: $3,000–$5,500 for a fixed unit, $3,500–$7,000 for manual venting, and $4,500–$8,500 for electric or solar-powered venting. A sun tunnel lands at $600–$1,100 installed. The unit itself is often the small part of the bill — the roof cut, flashing kit and interior light shaft drive the price.
Prices checked 2026-10-25 — sources cited below.
Replacement vs a new opening: the price gap
The single biggest cost decision is whether an opening already exists. A same-size replacement reuses the cutout, framing and light shaft — VELUX puts the average swap at $800–$2,200 and Sunsquare at $1,200–$3,000. This Old House's expert-reviewed national average for a skylight project overall is $1,800. Creating a new opening adds structural framing, a drywall shaft through the attic, and often wiring — Sunsquare's realistic scenario for a new 2×4 ft fixed unit on an asphalt roof is $3,000–$5,000, and an electric venting unit in a kitchen lands in the $4,500–$8,500 band once motorization, rain sensing and wiring are included (Sunsquare).
What drives the cost
- The skylight unit. At Home Depot retail (RoofSmart's Oct 15–16, 2026 price check), VELUX fixed units run $344–$1,107 plus tax, manual venting $916–$1,711, and solar/electric venting $2,005–$2,689.
- Labor and complexity. This Old House ranges labor at $300–$2,500 — roof cutting, framing, flashing, sealing and interior finish. Steep pitches, tile/slate/metal roofs and multi-story access push it up.
- The light shaft. A vaulted ceiling needs no shaft; a flat ceiling under an attic needs a framed, insulated, drywalled tunnel, plus paint.
- Flashing and waterproofing. A proper kit is required to keep the manufacturer's no-leak warranty. RoofSmart quotes $224 for flashing on a sun tunnel job.
- Powered operation and wiring. Electricians add cost for electric models; solar models avoid wiring and may qualify for the 30% federal clean-energy credit on product and labor.
- Repairs that avoid replacement. VELUX puts glass replacement at $300–$800 and motor replacement at $110–$510 — worth checking before a full swap.
Choosing between skylight types
Fixed skylights maximize light at the lowest cost. Manual venting adds airflow for baths and kitchens. Powered venting adds rain sensors and remote control — and, on solar models, a federal tax-credit path. For hallways, closets and windowless bathrooms, a tubular sun tunnel delivers daylight through a 10–14 inch penetration at a fraction of the cost. This Old House prices skylight materials by type at fixed $200–$1,200, tubular $200–$500, and vented $400–$2,000.
Where skylight money goes wrong
Most skylight horror stories are flashing failures, not glass failures. Deck-mounted units sit low on the roof and rely on the flashing kit; curb-mounted units sit on a raised frame that shingles wrap. Bob Vila puts the average new-skylight project at about $1,860 (range $1,000–$2,700) — and a leaky install can cost more in decking and drywall repair than the unit saved. Budget for the interior finish too: the shaft, drywall and paint on a new opening are real line items that unit-only quotes exclude.
Planning work on the roof itself? The new roof cost guide covers whole-roof budgets, and the roof cost calculator estimates replacement by material and size. Installing skylights during a roof replacement is usually the cheapest path, since flashing integrates with the new shingles.
FAQs
How much does skylight installation cost?
Replacing an existing same-size skylight runs $800 to $3,000 installed, with a national average of about $1,800. Cutting a brand-new opening costs far more: $3,000 to $5,500 for a fixed unit, $3,500 to $7,000 for manual venting, and $4,500 to $8,500 for electric or solar-powered venting. A tubular sun tunnel is the budget path at $600 to $1,100 installed.
Why does a new skylight cost so much more than a replacement?
A same-size swap reuses the existing roof cutout, framing and light shaft, so the job is mainly a unit swap plus a new flashing kit. A new opening adds roof cutting, structural framing, flashing, an interior light-shaft build, drywall and paint — and wiring if the unit is powered — which roughly triples the labor.
How much does the skylight unit itself cost?
At Home Depot retail (prices checked October 15–16, 2026 by RoofSmart), VELUX fixed skylights run $343.68 to $1,107.14 plus tax, manual venting $915.56 to $1,711, and solar-powered or electric venting $2,005.20 to $2,689. Sun tunnels run about $379 to $572 for the unit. A proper flashing kit is required for the no-leak warranty — RoofSmart quotes $224 for flashing on a sun tunnel job.
Can I replace just the glass instead of the whole skylight?
Often yes. VELUX puts glass replacement including labor at $300 to $800, and a cracked pane can sometimes be repaired with silicone and weather tape for around $300. If the frame or flashing is worn, full replacement is the better spend.
Do solar-powered skylights qualify for a tax credit?
Solar-powered venting skylights and solar blinds may qualify for the 30% U.S. federal residential clean-energy credit, which applies to both the product and installation labor. That can make a solar unit cheaper out of pocket than an electric one, which also needs an electrician's wiring.
When should I install skylights during a roof replacement?
At the same time as the roof replacement. Contractors integrate the flashing and sealing with new shingles, which reduces labor and protects warranties. Retrofitting into an existing roof is the more expensive scenario shown in the bands above.
Skylight costs at a glance
| Type | Installed, per skylight | Unit only (retail) | Cited bands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement (same-size swap)Typical is This Old House's national average. | $800–$3,000 (typ. $1,800) | $344–$1,107 | VELUX $800–$2,200 · Sunsquare $1,200–$3,000 |
| Fixed skylight, new roof openingStandard ~2×4 ft unit, asphalt roof, one story. Typical = band midpoint. | $3,000–$5,500 | $344–$1,107 | Sunsquare $3,000–$5,500 |
| Manual venting, new openingTypical = band midpoint. | $3,500–$7,000 | $916–$1,711 | Sunsquare $3,500–$7,000 |
| Electric / solar venting, new openingSolar models may qualify for the 30% federal clean-energy credit on product and install. | $4,500–$8,500 | $2,005–$2,689 | Sunsquare $4,500–$8,500 |
| Tubular skylight / sun tunnelRoofSmart cites $816 installed + $224 flashing — inside the band. | $600–$1,100 | $379–$572 | Sunsquare $600–$1,100 |
Source: VELUX, This Old House, Sunsquare and RoofSmart, retrieved October 25, 2026. Retail unit-only prices are Home Depot prices plus tax as checked by RoofSmart Oct 15–16, 2026. Bands are never averaged; midpoints are labelled as midpoints.
Sources
- VELUX - How much does it cost to replace a skylight?
- This Old House - Skylight installation cost (2026)
- Sunsquare - Skylight prices for product and installation (2026)
- RoofSmart - VELUX skylight guide: types, features and costs
- Bob Vila - Skylight installation cost
All sources fetched live October 25, 2026. Angi and HomeAdvisor returned HTTP 403 during that pass and are not cited (treated as unknown). Figures gathered 2026-10-25; see the dataset file for the full source log. Estimate only — get local written quotes.