Are you ready to add more natural light to your home with a new skylight or sun tunnel? If so, you’re probably trying to learn as much as possible before jumping in and reaching out to a roofing contractor.
While there's a lot to consider, your biggest question is probably, "How much is a skylight going to cost me?"
We here at Bill Ragan Roofing want to help you understand everything that goes into your skylight purchase. Because pricing is a main concern for most homeowners, we're going to break down the budget you'll need for a new skylight.
By the end of this article, you'll learn a rough price estimate for your new skylight and what factors affect the cost. And at the very end, grab the checklist of Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor to help you find a reputable company for your skylight needs.
The cost of the most common types of VELUX skylights
While there are a few good skylight brands out there, there’s one that has taken the industry over, VELUX. Since they’re the leading brand in the industry, the rest of this article will be covering their 4 most popular products.
Even though we’re only going to talk about 4 here, these price ranges give you a good idea of the price you'll pay for a new skylight or replacement skylight. These price ranges are based on a single skylight, including the product itself and the labor it takes to install or replace it.
These prices are pulled straight from VELUX’s website, but they don’t know what every contractor charges for their labor. The actual labor cost will depend on the local roofing contractor you hire to install your skylight.
DISCLAIMER: All of the prices are ESTIMATES ONLY, you’ll get the actual price for your skylight after consulting with a local contractor.
1. Solar-powered “Fresh-Air” skylight
VELUX’s solar-powered “Fresh Air” skylight is a vented skylight that uses the sun’s power to open and close.
- New skylight: $2,800-$5,700
- Replacement skylight: $2,000-$3,600
2. Manual “Fresh-Air” skylight
VELUX’s manual “Fresh Air” skylight is a vented skylight that opens and closes by hand.
- New skylight: $2,100-$4,600
- Replacement skylight: $1,200-$2,700
3. Fixed skylight
VELUX’s fixed skylights are sealed and won’t open, but they’re a great way to provide natural light without obstructing your roofline.
- New skylight: $1,900-$4,200
- Replacement skylight: $900-$2,400
4. Flexible sun tunnel
Sun tunnel skylight prices are a little different than the other skylights. While these price ranges include most of the same factors as the others, it’s based on the length of the reflective tubing and acrylic dome plus the labor for installation.
- 10” Sun Tunnel: $650-$2,150
- 14” Sun Tunnel: $650-$2,150
Remember, these price ranges are based on one skylight and VELUX’s (not your local contractor) estimated labor to install them. To learn more about these skylights in more detail, read this article on the 4 most common types of VELUX skylights.
What affects the cost of your new skylight?
Now that you have an idea of what your new skylight will cost, you’re ready to learn what affects the price of it. The amount of labor, the size of your skylights, and more factor into the final cost of replacing or installing a skylight.
The labor required for installing your skylight
For any roofing project, the more time and manpower it takes to complete the project the more the price rises. You just learned that labor plays into the cost of your skylight because it was included in the price ranges above.
However, you need to understand the amount of work that goes into installing a new skylight to understand the cost. When installing a new skylight, a roofing contractor has to cut drywall, make framing for the skylight, put back the drywall, flash the skylight, and then get a painter to apply the finishing aesthetic touches.
The amount of construction, labor, and time it takes to complete installation makes the labor cost of your new skylight go up. Be aware, if you get a skylight replacement, the labor cost won’t be as much because it takes less construction and it’s more fitting the new skylight to the existing opening.
The contractor you hire to install your skylight
You just learned that the more labor and time it takes to complete your skylight installation, the more your skylight’s cost goes up. The labor cost of your skylight investment will depend on the local roofing contractor you hire.
Be aware, if you pay for cheap labor it’s going to show in the final quality. If you hire the cheapest contractor, then you’re going to get the cheapest labor to install your new skylight.
The last thing you want is your skylight investment to be ruined because it wasn’t installed properly. That’s why it’s crucial to hire a contractor that doesn’t cut corners and will follow all the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Before picking up the phone to call an installer, do your research and look for a local contractor with a strong history of installing skylights. To help you find a great contractor, read this article on why it’s important to hire a local roofing contractor.
The size of your skylight
Skylights come in different sizes to add the desired amount of natural light to your home. The bigger the skylight size, the more it’s going to cost.
You also have to think about the size in terms of labor and construction. The larger the size, the more construction and labor it takes to install, which adds to the cost of your new skylight.
Keep in mind, if you’re replacing your skylight with a bigger skylight, then some construction will be required to fit the new one. Remember, the more time and manpower it takes to complete a project is always going to make the cost of it go up.
Adding accessories to your skylight
VELUX offers a variety of accessories to add so you can get the skylight that fits your needs. These skylights accessories are blinds (darkening, light-filtering, venetian) and remote or manual controls.
You can even get a decorative light diffuser if you want a sun tunnel. No matter what kind of accessories you get, the more bells and whistles your skylight has will make the cost go up.
Remember, you must pick the skylight that’s right for you and your situation. If you don’t need or want accessories, you can keep costs down by avoiding them altogether.
Ready to add more natural light to your home with a skylight?
Now you know what price ranges to expect when you start looking for your new skylight. Remember, the amount of labor and time play a huge role in the cost of your new skylight besides the product itself.
Now that you know how much it's going to cost you, are you ready to pick up the phone to call an installer? If you are, make sure you find a great roofing contractor that has a strong reputation of installing skylights in your area. We have a great tool to help you out if you're struggling to find one, the checklist of questions to ask a roofing contractor.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been providing high-quality skylights and sun tunnels for the residents of Nashville since 1990. Our workmanship and attention to detail ensure your skylight stays leak-free. That’s why the leading skylight brand, VELUX, certifies us to install them.
If you're local to Nashville, don't hesitate to contact us for all your skylight needs.
If you aren't local to Nashville or just don't think we're the right fit, get this checklist of 16 Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor so you can find a great one for your skylight needs.
