How Much Does Skylight Replacement Cost in 2024?

Skylight Replacement Cost Factors

Several factors will impact the final cost of replacing a skylight, particularly the type and size of the skylight, the slope or pitch of the roof, the height and accessibility for your local skylight installation pros, and any extra features you choose to add.

Type

Depending on the style and type of skylight you choose, you may pay more or less than the average skylight replacement cost. There are three common types of skylights: fixed, tubular, and ventilating.

• Fixed Skylight: This is the traditional skylight, which provides ample sunlight through the roof of your home. Fixed skylights cost $200 to $1,600 to install, depending on the size.

• Tubular Skylight: A tubular skylight is much less expensive than other types because it actually isn’t a window alone. Tubular skylights are small tubes made of reflective metal, which act as a funnel for sunlight entering your home. They cost about $450 to $1,150 installed.

• Ventilating Skylight: As the name suggests, ventilating skylights look like a fixed skylight, but can be opened to let air in the home. Ventilating skylights are the most expensive option, at $400 to $2,000.

Slope or Pitch

Unlike regular window replacement costs, the cost of installing a skylight is affected by the roof of your home. Most skylights are only designed to be installed on roofs with a pitch (also called slope) of 15% to 60%. If your roof has a steeper slope than that, you can expect to pay more for skylight installation—as much as an extra 20%.

Size

Naturally, a larger skylight will cost more to purchase than a small one. While you might be tempted to get a large skylight to maximize the sunshine inside, larger skylights actually decrease energy efficiency in addition to costing more, so it’s often better to limit the size.

Height and Accessibility

If your skylight is particularly high up or hard to access (whether from the inside or outside), you can expect to pay more in skylight installation costs. Skylights are harder to access in ceilings that are higher than one story, or if there are fixtures (such as a bathtub) obstructing the work area.

If your skylight is very challenging to access, you can expect to pay up to 30% more in labor costs for repairs and replacement alike. This is because difficult-to-access skylights take more time to reach and require enhanced safety precautions to be worked on safely.

Additional Features

You might opt for extra features with your skylight, such as upgrading a fixed skylight to a ventilating one, ordering a skylight with a custom size and shape, or installing a feature that allows you to close blinds with a remote control. These are appealing features, but you should expect to pay more for any skylight add-ons.

Additional Skylight Replacement Cost Factors

Beyond factors like skylight size and type, there are a few extra cost factors of skylight replacement to consider: Insurance, labor, and permits.

Insurance

Depending on your home insurance policy, you might be able to get coverage for a leaking skylight, which can significantly lower your costs. With that said, installing a skylight might affect your existing insurance policy, possibly increasing your premiums slightly. We recommend talking to your insurance rep to discuss your options before replacing a skylight. 

Labor

On average, the labor cost of replacing a skylight is between $30 and $80 per hour. However, this number can increase if you’re looking to install a skylight that is custom-shaped, particularly large, or in a hard-to-access area. Depending on the project, you might also have to hire a roofing expert to fit your roof around the skylight, which will cost a minimum of $150 to $300.

Permits

Depending on whether it's a repair or replacement, and on your location, a building permit to install or work on a skylight will likely cost between $100 and $500.

Skylight Replacement Cost by Part

It’s possible that only certain parts of your skylight need replacing, and other parts can stay. Replacing any one part of a skylight is almost always cheaper than an all-new installation, but some parts still cost a lot more than others.

Glass

Window glass replacement costs vary greatly depending on the choices you make, and the same is true for skylights. Typically, skylight glass replacement costs between $150 and $600, but this price can increase if you’re using special glass types. For example, energy-efficient smart glass costs much more than a standard double-pane window. 

If your skylight is very hard to access, or if the whole unit must be removed in order to replace the glass, this part can become even more expensive to replace.

Motor

Depending on the brand, size, and complexity of the skylight motor, you can expect to pay between $350 and $700 to replace the unit. This price can vary depending on your skylight type as well. For example, solar-powered motors for ventilating skylights are particularly expensive when compared to other, more common skylight motors.

Hand-Operated Mechanism

If your skylight needs a new hand-crank, you can expect to pay between $10 and $70 for the part itself, plus around $90 to $240 in labor costs to install it.

Frame

It’s uncommon to replace a skylight frame without replacing the entire unit. More often, a damaged or leaky frame will be repaired instead. This usually consists of sealing, caulking, or patching damaged sections. In some cases, your skylight repair pro might recommend replacing parts of the frame, but this is less common. Skylight frame repair usually costs $150 to $600 for a standard skylight.

Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping is a material that helps keep moisture from entering your home around the edges of your skylight. It’s usually made from rubber gaskets or special foam tape and typically costs $75 to $300 to replace.

Flashing

Flashing is a more durable (and expensive) alternative to standard weatherstripping. With flashing, a combination of caulking, tape, and sometimes specialized foam is used to completely seal the edges of your skylight. Installing flashing costs $150 to $500 for most standard skylights.

Skylight Repair Cost by Problem

Depending on the issue you’re dealing with, the cost to repair your skylight can vary greatly. The two most common skylight problems are leaks and cracked glass.

Leaks

Leaking is the most common problem faced by homeowners with skylights. Typically, a leaky skylight is a sign of failing sealant, weatherstripping, or flashing. It can also cause frame damage over time. Most skylight leak repair projects can be completed for $225 to $800, depending on your exact skylight and the extent of the problem.

Cracked Glass

Another common problem is cracked glass in your skylight, which might happen from falling tree branches or other debris. Not only does this let water into your home every time it rains, but it also allows air to escape from inside, reducing energy efficiency. While a professional can quickly patch up the crack with caulk and tape, this is a temporary solution. Ultimately, you’ll need to pay for skylight glass repair, which will be $150 to $600, depending on the size of the skylight and the type of glass you choose.

Skylight Replacement vs. Repair

Generally speaking, skylight repair costs between $150 and $600, with simple weatherstripping damage or a broken hand crank costing even less. If your skylight expert says the unit can be repaired relatively simply, it’s a good idea to go ahead with repairing your skylight rather than paying thousands for an all-new one.

However, there are some situations where skylight replacement is the better option. If the frame is starting to give way, it’s only a matter of time before other parts of the skylight become damaged, presenting a danger to your home and the people in it. If you’re noticing mold between the panes, persistent leaks or drafts, or if the entire unit has to be removed from the roof in order to replace certain parts, it might be worth making the investment in a new skylight instead of paying for ongoing repairs.

Does Skylight Replacement Increase Home Value?

Assuming they’re properly installed, skylights can add value to your home. Not only do skylights make interiors more beautiful with the addition of natural light, but they can also reduce energy bills in the daytime—more sunlight means less need for artificial lights. 

Of course, a skylight must be properly oriented in order to save more energy than it costs. If your skylight is facing east, it will catch the sun in the morning to warm the house through the day. If it faces west, it will get sunlight during the afternoon and evening, heating the home during the night. If you position it southwards, you’ll get sunshine virtually all day, which can save a lot of money on heating, but might be uncomfortable in the warmer months without a shade.

In order to boost your home’s value with a skylight, you’ll need to carefully consider the climate you live in and where it makes the most sense to put the unit. We also recommend investing in high-quality, energy-efficient glass panes to reduce heat leaking through the skylight.

Budgeting for Skylight Replacement

Skylight replacement is relatively inexpensive, but it can still add up. Add on the fact that a broken skylight must be repaired immediately, and it’s clear to see why this project can sometimes be a financial strain. Here are a few tips to reduce the cost of replacing a skylight:

• If you have plans to replace or redo your roof, consider installing new skylights at the same time, as this will cut down on labor costs.

• Be proactive about replacing old skylights—not only are they at risk of failing, but they could also be costing you extra money on your utility bills.

• Keep skylight size to a minimum to reduce material and labor costs, as well as to cut back on energy waste.

• Consider installing a hand-powered mechanism over a more expensive motor to control a skylight shade.

• Stick with standard skylight shapes and sizes whenever possible to reduce costs.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.