How Much Does Skylight Installation Cost in 2026?
By Michael JohnsonUpdated 10 sources comparedHow we estimate
Most homeowners pay $1,000 to $3,000 to install a skylight, with a national average of about $2,000 per unit. That figure is the median of the national averages from HomeAdvisor ($1,907), LawnStarter ($2,115), HomeGuide ($2,900) and Fixr ($1,523). The price depends mainly on whether you're cutting a new opening or replacing an old unit, the type of skylight (fixed, venting or tubular), and how much interior work the ceiling needs.
- Typical cost
- $1,000–$3,000
- National average
- $2,000
- Full range
- $450–$7,250
The typical range covers one standard-size fixed or manual venting skylight, or a like-for-like replacement, on a pitched shingle roof, including the unit, flashing and labor; tubular skylights cost less, while new openings with an attic light shaft or electric and solar venting units can reach the national high. Prices are per skylight installed.
Skylight installation cost by type
The table compiles installed prices (unit, flashing and labor) for one standard-size skylight on a pitched roof. The QuoteRuler range is where the sources overlap.
| Skylight and job | Installed range in sources | QuoteRuler typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed, new opening | $1,500–$4,000 (HomeGuide); $1,700–$2,500 (Thumbtack, VELUX examples) | $1,500–$3,500 |
| Venting, manual, new opening | $1,600–$3,900 (HomeGuide); $2,000–$2,800 (Thumbtack) | $1,600–$3,900 |
| Venting, electric or solar, new opening | $2,400–$4,700 (HomeGuide); $2,700–$3,500 solar (Thumbtack) | $2,400–$4,700 |
| Tubular skylight (sun tunnel) | $500–$1,000 (HomeGuide); about $640–$1,370 (LawnStarter unit plus labor) | $500–$1,400 |
| Replacement, same opening | $800–$2,400 (HomeGuide); $800–$2,200 (LawnStarter, Thumbtack) | $800–$2,400 |
National averages differ because of scope. HomeGuide's $2,900 average is the highest because it focuses on new installations and includes many attic jobs that need a light shaft. Fixr's $1,523 average (last updated January 2025) is the lowest and leans on simpler jobs. VELUX's own project calculator runs higher than every cost guide, from about $2,000 for fixed units to $7,250 for electric venting models, which is why our national high sits there.
Estimate your cost
Choose the skylight and whether it goes into a new or existing opening, then pick your roof type and tick any extra work.
Ranges come from the sources listed at the end of this guide. The labor portion is adjusted for your state with BEA price data. Your final price depends on site conditions and local codes.
Fixed vs. venting vs. tubular skylights
- Fixed skylights don't open. They're the cheapest traditional option, with units at $150 to $800 (HomeGuide) or $200 to $1,200 (This Old House), and the least likely to leak.
- Venting skylights open to release heat and humidity, which makes them popular in bathrooms and kitchens. Manual units cost $300 to $1,200; electric and solar-powered units cost $1,100 to $2,000 (HomeGuide). Electric models may need an electrician, which Fixr prices at $435 to $793.
- Tubular skylights, often sold as sun tunnels, use a small rooftop dome and a reflective tube to pipe daylight into a ceiling diffuser. They fit between rafters, so there's no framing or drywall shaft. The Department of Energy notes they minimize heat loss and gain but give no view or ventilation.
New opening vs. replacement
Replacing a skylight in the same opening typically costs $800 to $2,400, roughly half the price of a new installation. A new opening means cutting the roof deck, framing a header if a rafter is cut, flashing and reroofing around the unit, and finishing the ceiling. HomeAdvisor adds that custom or oversized openings cost at least 25% more than standard sizes.
Light shaft (chase) and drywall
If there's an attic between the roof and the ceiling, the crew must build a light shaft: a framed, insulated, drywalled and painted tunnel from the roof to the room. HomeGuide prices a skylight in a roof with an attic at $2,600 to $5,700, about $1,000 to $1,500 more than one on a pitched roof without an attic. Thumbtack likewise puts a chase at about $1,500 extra. Vaulted ceilings, where the roof is the ceiling, skip this cost.
Cost by size
| Size | Installed, new (HomeGuide) | Unit only (This Old House) |
|---|---|---|
| About 21–25 in. x 38–41 in. | $1,400–$4,100 | $300–$600 |
| About 30–33 in. x 30–33 in. | $1,450–$4,300 | $300–$800 |
| About 30–33 in. x 46–49 in. | $1,600–$4,300 | $300–$1,000 |
| About 46–49 in. x 46–49 in. | $1,700–$4,600 | $500–$1,900 |
Size matters less than you might expect: labor, flashing and interior work make up most of the bill, so a larger unit adds only a few hundred dollars.
Labor vs. materials
Labor is the bigger share of a typical skylight job. HomeGuide puts labor at $1,200 to $3,200 against unit prices of $150 to $2,000. This Old House and HomeAdvisor give a wider labor range of $300 to $2,500, which includes simple replacements. LawnStarter lists $1,175 to $3,250 of labor for a fixed skylight, but only $350 to $550 for a tubular one. Roofers charge about $50 to $100 an hour, carpenters $40 to $80 and electricians $50 to $100 (HomeAdvisor).
We use a labor share of 60% for our state adjustments. For a typical $1,800 to $2,000 fixed skylight with a $700 to $800 unit, labor is roughly 60% of the total. The share is lower for tubular skylights and higher for new openings with a light shaft.
What drives the price up or down
- New opening vs. replacement. The single biggest factor, often doubling the cost.
- Attic light shaft. Adds about $1,000 to $1,500 (HomeGuide, Thumbtack).
- Venting and power. Electric and solar units cost about $700 to $900 more installed than manual ones (HomeGuide).
- Roof type and pitch. Flat roofs cost more: $2,100 to $4,800 versus $1,600 to $4,200 for pitched roofs (HomeGuide), and LawnStarter's figures show a similar premium. Our calculator uses 1.25 times for flat roofs, between the two sources' ratios. Thumbtack adds that curb-mounted installations raise the price.
- Roofing material. Tile, slate and metal roofs need more careful cutting and specialty flashing, which raises labor (HomeGuide), though no source puts a dollar figure on it.
- Glazing and options. Laminated, impact or triple-pane glass adds $100 to $250 per window, and blinds add $100 to $500 (HomeGuide).
- Structural work. Cutting more than one rafter may need an engineer, at $100 to $500 per hour (HomeGuide).
Skylight installation cost by state
Labor rates for roofers and carpenters vary widely by region. The table below starts from our national range, compiled from the sources above, and adjusts only the labor portion (60%) using the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities for each state.
| State | Typical range | Average | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $940–$2,800 | $1,900 | -6.0% |
| Alaska | $1,000–$3,050 | $2,000 | +1.0% |
| Arizona | $1,000–$3,000 | $2,000 | +0.7% |
| Arkansas | $920–$2,750 | $1,850 | -8.1% |
| California | $1,100–$3,250 | $2,150 | +7.6% |
| Colorado | $1,000–$3,050 | $2,000 | +0.8% |
| Connecticut | $1,000–$3,050 | $2,050 | +2.2% |
| Delaware | $1,000–$3,000 | $2,000 | -0.4% |
| District of Columbia | $1,050–$3,200 | $2,150 | +6.5% |
| Florida | $1,000–$3,050 | $2,050 | +2.1% |
| Georgia | $980–$2,950 | $1,950 | -2.0% |
| Hawaii | $1,050–$3,150 | $2,100 | +5.2% |
| Idaho | $950–$2,850 | $1,900 | -5.2% |
| Illinois | $990–$3,000 | $2,000 | -0.7% |
| Indiana | $950–$2,850 | $1,900 | -4.7% |
| Iowa | $930–$2,800 | $1,850 | -6.7% |
| Kansas | $940–$2,800 | $1,900 | -6.0% |
| Kentucky | $940–$2,850 | $1,900 | -5.7% |
| Louisiana | $930–$2,800 | $1,850 | -7.0% |
| Maine | $980–$2,950 | $1,950 | -1.7% |
| Maryland | $1,000–$3,050 | $2,050 | +2.4% |
| Massachusetts | $1,050–$3,150 | $2,100 | +4.9% |
| Michigan | $970–$2,900 | $1,950 | -3.5% |
| Minnesota | $990–$2,950 | $2,000 | -1.0% |
| Mississippi | $920–$2,750 | $1,850 | -7.6% |
| Missouri | $950–$2,850 | $1,900 | -4.9% |
| Montana | $940–$2,800 | $1,900 | -5.9% |
| Nebraska | $940–$2,850 | $1,900 | -5.8% |
| Nevada | $980–$2,950 | $1,950 | -1.8% |
| New Hampshire | $1,050–$3,100 | $2,050 | +3.2% |
| New Jersey | $1,050–$3,150 | $2,100 | +5.3% |
| New Mexico | $940–$2,850 | $1,900 | -5.8% |
| New York | $1,050–$3,150 | $2,100 | +4.6% |
| North Carolina | $960–$2,900 | $1,950 | -3.5% |
| North Dakota | $930–$2,800 | $1,850 | -6.8% |
| Ohio | $950–$2,850 | $1,900 | -4.9% |
| Oklahoma | $930–$2,800 | $1,850 | -7.0% |
| Oregon | $1,050–$3,100 | $2,050 | +2.8% |
| Pennsylvania | $980–$2,950 | $1,950 | -1.5% |
| Rhode Island | $1,000–$3,050 | $2,000 | +0.8% |
| South Carolina | $960–$2,900 | $1,900 | -4.1% |
| South Dakota | $930–$2,800 | $1,850 | -7.1% |
| Tennessee | $960–$2,850 | $1,900 | -4.5% |
| Texas | $980–$2,950 | $1,950 | -1.7% |
| Utah | $970–$2,900 | $1,950 | -3.0% |
| Vermont | $980–$2,950 | $1,950 | -2.0% |
| Virginia | $1,000–$3,000 | $2,000 | +0.4% |
| Washington | $1,050–$3,150 | $2,100 | +5.2% |
| West Virginia | $940–$2,800 | $1,900 | -6.1% |
| Wisconsin | $960–$2,900 | $1,900 | -4.1% |
| Wyoming | $940–$2,850 | $1,900 | -5.5% |
Expect the high end of your state's range for new openings in finished ceilings and for flat-roof installations.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
A tubular skylight is the most DIY-friendly option, since it needs no framing. A full skylight is a different job. It means cutting the roof deck, possibly cutting a rafter, and getting the flashing exactly right. Flashing is where skylights leak, and the Department of Energy recommends professional installation following the manufacturer's instructions, including a curb, proper flashing and sheet waterproofing under the roofing.
Hire a licensed roofer or general contractor for any new opening, and pull a permit ($100 to $500, per HomeGuide) when your city requires one, which is common when framing is altered. A poor install can also void the skylight's warranty. If an existing skylight leaks, see our roof repair cost guide: resealing or reflashing ($300 to $800) may be enough if the unit itself is sound.
How to save money on a skylight
- Install with a new roof. Thumbtack says adding skylights during new construction or a roof replacement can cut installation cost by about half. It's also the time to replace an aging unit so the flashing lasts as long as the new roof. See our roof replacement cost guide.
- Consider a tubular skylight for hallways, closets and small bathrooms. At $500 to $1,400 installed, it costs a fraction of a full skylight.
- Keep the same opening when replacing. Changing size or location adds framing and drywall work.
- Don't count on a tax credit. The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit used to cover 30% of qualifying ENERGY STAR Most Efficient skylights, up to $600. The IRS confirms the credit isn't allowed for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Check for local utility rebates instead.
- Choose ENERGY STAR certified units. ENERGY STAR skylight criteria vary by climate zone, so pick a model certified for your region to limit heat gain and loss.
- Size it sensibly. The Department of Energy suggests skylight glass no larger than 5% of the floor area in rooms with many windows, or 15% in rooms with few. Oversizing raises cost and summer heat gain.
- Get three quotes that specify the same unit, flashing kit and interior finish.
How to compare skylight quotes
A fair quote should list:
- The exact brand, model, size and glazing, and whether it's fixed, manual, electric or solar.
- The flashing kit (manufacturer-matched for your roofing material) and any underlayment or waterproofing membrane around the frame.
- Framing work, including any rafter cut and header.
- The interior finish: light shaft framing, insulation, drywall, tape, paint and trim.
- Electrical work for powered units, and who does it.
- Permit fees, cleanup and disposal of the old unit.
- Both the manufacturer's warranty and the installer's leak warranty.
Red flags: a price for "skylight installed" with no mention of flashing or interior finishing; sealant or roofing cement offered instead of a proper flashing kit; no permit on a new opening; or a quote far below the others that leaves out the shaft.
Hidden costs people forget
- Light shaft finishing: drywall, paint and trim inside the room, about $1,000 to $1,500 when there's an attic.
- Insulating and air-sealing the shaft in the attic, which the Department of Energy recommends to prevent heat loss and condensation.
- Shades or blinds: $100 to $500 per skylight (HomeGuide), useful on south- or west-facing units.
- Electrical work for electric venting units: $435 to $793 (Fixr).
- Roof repairs around an old skylight once it's removed, such as rotted decking. If you're unsure of the roof's condition, a roof inspection before cutting in is cheap insurance.
- Interior water damage if an old skylight has leaked for a while.
Bottom line
Expect to pay $1,000 to $3,000 for a typical skylight, with about $2,000 as a national midpoint. Replacing a unit in the same opening costs $800 to $2,400, and a tubular skylight costs $500 to $1,400. New openings with an attic light shaft, flat roofs, and electric or solar venting units push the price toward $4,000 to $7,000. The 25C tax credit ended after 2025, so the best savings come from bundling the job with a roof replacement and comparing itemized quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a skylight?
Replacing a skylight in the same opening typically costs $800 to $2,400 (HomeGuide), with LawnStarter and Thumbtack's figures close behind at $800 to $2,200. That's well below a new installation because no rafters are cut and no new interior shaft is built. Changing the size or moving the skylight costs more.
How much does a tubular skylight (sun tunnel) cost?
Tubular skylights usually cost $500 to $1,400 installed. HomeGuide lists $500 to $1,000, while LawnStarter's unit and labor figures add up to about $640 to $1,370. VELUX's own calculator shows its Sun Tunnel at $880 to $2,280 installed. They fit between rafters and need no drywall shaft, which keeps labor low.
How much does it cost to add a skylight to an existing roof?
Cutting a new opening for a standard fixed skylight typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 installed, and HomeGuide's range runs up to $4,000. If there's an attic between the roof and the ceiling, building a drywall light shaft adds roughly $1,000 to $1,500. Venting skylights cost more, especially electric or solar models.
Is there a tax credit for skylights in 2026?
No. The IRS says the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C), which covered 30% of qualifying ENERGY STAR Most Efficient skylights up to $600, is not allowed for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Some utilities or states may offer rebates, so check the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder with your ZIP code.
Do skylights leak?
A properly flashed skylight shouldn't leak, but flashing and seals are the most common failure points as they age. The Department of Energy recommends mounting skylights on a curb, installing proper flashing and adding sheet waterproofing under the roofing around the frame. Fixing a leaking skylight typically costs $300 to $800 (Fixr, Angi).
Is it cheaper to install a skylight during a roof replacement?
Yes. With the old roofing already removed, the crew saves time on cutting in, flashing and reroofing around the unit. Thumbtack says installing skylights during new construction or alongside a new roof can cut the installation cost by about half, and it's also the best time to replace an aging skylight so its flashing matches the new roof.
How much does a VELUX skylight cost installed?
VELUX's project calculator shows installed estimates of about $2,000 to $5,000 for fixed skylights, $2,200 to $5,900 for manual Fresh Air models, $2,900 to $7,150 for solar-powered and $3,000 to $7,250 for electric models, covering both replacements and new openings. HomeGuide puts installed VELUX fixed and venting units at $1,350 to $5,400.
Sources
We compared these sources to build the QuoteRuler range. State figures adjust the labor portion (60% of the total) using the BEA Regional Price Parities.
- Skylight Installation Cost — HomeGuide. Used for: National average $2,900 (min $500, max $5,700); new installation $1,600–$4,200; replacement $800–$2,400; unit $150–$2,000; labor $1,200–$3,200; installed by type (fixed $1,500–$4,000; manual venting $1,600–$3,900; electric $2,500–$4,600; solar $2,400–$4,700; tubular $500–$1,000); installed by size; pitched roof $1,600–$4,200, flat roof $2,100–$4,800, roof with attic chase $2,600–$5,700; VELUX installed $1,350–$5,400; permit and inspection $100–$500; blinds, tint and impact glass add-ons. Page shows no update date..
- How Much Does It Cost to Install a Skylight? — HomeAdvisor (Angi Inc.). Used for: Average $1,907; normal range $1,010–$2,805; full range $450–$5,260; small fixed unit from $450; installation labor $300–$2,500; roofers $50–$100 per hour, carpenters $40–$80, electricians $50–$100; custom or oversized openings cost at least 25% more..
- How Much Does a Skylight Cost? — LawnStarter. Used for: Title references 2026. Average $2,115; typical $1,185–$3,170; extremes $490–$4,100; unit prices (tubular $290–$820, fixed $170–$1,240, ventilated $340–$2,200) and labor by type (tubular $350–$550, fixed $1,175–$3,250, ventilated $1,300–$3,725); pitched roof $1,100–$2,065 vs. flat roof $1,875–$3,075; equivalent replacement $800–$2,200..
- 2026 Skylight Installation Cost Guide — Thumbtack. Used for: Updated October 23, 2026. Average range $633–$2,829; VELUX examples for new installation vs. replacement (fixed $1,700–$2,500 vs. $800–$1,200; manual Fresh Air $2,000–$2,800 vs. $1,100–$1,500; solar Fresh Air $2,700–$3,500 vs. $1,900–$2,200); adding a chase about $1,500 more; installing during new construction or with a new roof can cut cost by about half..
- Skylight Installation Cost — This Old House. Used for: Updated March 30, 2026. Average $1,800; range $1,000–$3,000; material cost by type (fixed $200–$1,200, tubular $200–$500, vented $400–$2,000); material cost by size; labor $300–$2,500; permits can reach $500 or more (based on Fixr and Angi estimates, so not counted as independent)..
- How Much Does It Cost to Install or Replace a Skylight? — Fixr. Used for: Updated January 31, 2025. National average $1,523; average range $1,080–$1,966; material costs by type and glazing; electrician work for electric units $435–$793. Fixr's repair guide lists skylight leak repair at $300–$800..
- Skylight Project Calculator — VELUX USA. Used for: Manufacturer's installed estimates (product plus typical installation, national averages, excluding delivery and sales tax), covering new and replacement jobs: fixed $2,000–$5,000; manual Fresh Air $2,200–$5,900; electric Fresh Air $3,000–$7,250; solar-powered Fresh Air $2,900–$7,150; Sun Tunnel $880–$2,280..
- Skylights — U.S. Department of Energy (Energy Saver). Used for: Sizing rule of thumb (no more than 5% of floor area in rooms with many windows, 15% in rooms with few); glazing types; slope guidance; curb mounting, flashing and sheet waterproofing; tubular skylights reduce heat gain and loss but provide no view or ventilation; look for NFRC and ENERGY STAR labels..
- Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit and OBBB FAQs — IRS. Used for: Section 25C not allowed for property placed in service after December 31, 2025; the IRS credit page lists exterior windows and skylights meeting ENERGY STAR Most Efficient requirements with a $600 annual cap through 2025..
- ENERGY STAR Key Product Criteria: Residential Windows, Doors and Skylights — ENERGY STAR (EPA). Used for: Skylight certification criteria vary by climate zone (U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient)..
- Regional Price Parities by State, 2023 — U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Used for: state cost adjustments.