Skylight installation cost by type
| Skylight type | Installed price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tubular (sun tunnel) | $500–$1,500 | Light tube for closets and hallways |
| Fixed (does not open) | $1,000–$4,000 | Lets in light but does not open |
| Vented, manual opening | $1,500–$3,900 | Opens manually |
| Vented, solar or electric | $2,400–$7,250 | Opens by remote; solar models avoid wiring |
| Replace an existing skylight | $800–$3,500 | Swaps the unit in an existing opening |
Three things set a skylight bill: whether you are cutting a new opening or replacing a unit in an existing one, the type of skylight, and the ceiling and roof it has to go through. Sources put replacement anywhere from 20% to 30% less to about half the cost of a new opening, because the roof framing, flashing and interior shaft are already in place.
A new opening is a small construction project
Cutting a skylight into a finished roof means cutting through the roofing and decking, framing the opening, setting the unit, integrating the flashing and, unless the ceiling is vaulted, building a light shaft through the attic. Cutting a brand-new opening adds $500 to $1,500 over a standard installation for the framing and roof work, according to one guide, and a light shaft for a flat ceiling is extra, at $1,000–$2,500.
Flashing is the critical detail
Guides call flashing the critical factor in skylight performance and say to use the manufacturer's flashing kit made for your model. Kits cost about $108 to $298 depending on the skylight size and roof material. If your roof is due for replacement, one guide says adding or replacing skylights during the re-roof saves $500 to $1,500 in labor. See roof replacement cost and roof repair cost.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is this a new opening or a replacement, and is framing included?
- Is the manufacturer's flashing kit used, and who warrants the flashing?
- Does the price include the light shaft and interior drywall finishing?
- What glazing is the unit (double-glazed, Low-E), and what is its warranty?
- Can the work be timed with a roof replacement?
Methodology and sources
We price each skylight type as an installed total, adjust the labor share for your state's roofer wages, and price the light shaft separately. Read how we estimate costs.
- HomeGuide: skylight installation cost — fixed, vented, solar, tubular
- Calculated Home: skylight installation cost — new vs replacement
- Home Genius Exteriors and Clear Home Projects — new openings, light shafts, replacement
- First State Roofing: skylight installation costs and 12 Stones Roofing — by type, powered models, labor
- Lifetime Building Supply: Velux skylights and Roof Vista — flashing kits, skylights during a re-roof
- Roofing Calculator HQ — benchmark for a typical job
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2181, Roofers) — state labor index
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide |
|
| Clear Home Projects |
|
| Lifetime Building Supply | a sun tunnel as a new installation $500-$1,500 |
| Home Genius Exteriors |
|
| First State Roofing |
|
| 12 Stones Roofing |
|
| Calculated Home | unit prices are $150-$800 for fixed units inside installed prices of $1,500-$4,000 |
Common questions about skylight installation costs
How much does skylight installation cost?
A typical job (fixed skylight) comes to about $2,000 nationally, within a range of $1,000 to $4,000. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 7 published cost pages from 7 publishers, last checked Oct 3, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 7 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.
- HomeGuide: tubular sun-tunnel skylights $500-$1,000 installed
- Clear Home Projects: tubular skylights $600-$1,500 installed for a new opening
- Lifetime Building Supply: a sun tunnel as a new installation $500-$1,500
- Home Genius Exteriors: fixed and tubular units run lower; tubular $500-$1,500
- First State Roofing: fixed skylight $1,200-$2,400
- 12 Stones Roofing: electric or solar venting $4,500-$8,500 installed
- Calculated Home: unit prices are $150-$800 for fixed units inside installed prices of $1,500-$4,000