Just like everything else, the materials that make up a skylight succumb to old age and begin to fail. This isn’t a bad thing, though, it just means it’s time for a replacement.
Luckily, you already have the opening, which makes a replacement cheaper than a new installation. However, it still won't be cheap.
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has taken pride in being transparent about everything cost related. Because of this, let’s break down how much it costs to replace a skylight.
This article answers the following questions:
- How much does a skylight replacement cost? (general and specific to type)
- What impacts the cost of a skylight replacement?
How much does a skylight replacement cost?
A skylight replacement costs anywhere from around $2,000 up to $5,000. However, there are a wide variety of skylights that each come at their own price point to replace.
Using VELUX as an example, let’s look at replacement costs for the most common types of skylights. The price ranges below are pulled directly from VELUX’s website for a single skylight replacement, including the product itself and estimated labor costs.
Just keep in mind these are only estimates, and you’ll get the actual price for your skylight replacement after talking to a local roofing contractor.
How much does a fixed skylight replacement cost?
VELUX’s fixed skylights are sealed and won’t open, which is where the “fixed” in the name comes from. While they won’t let fresh air in, fixed skylights are a great way to provide natural light without obstructing your roofline.
You can expect a fixed skylight replacement to cost around $1,800-$3,300.
How much does a manual vented skylight replacement cost?
VELUX’s manual “Fresh Air” skylight is a vented skylight that opens to allow fresh air in. It’s opened manually with a handle or rod, depending on if you can reach it.
You can expect a manual vented skylight replacement to cost around $1,900-$3,600.
How much does an electric vented skylight replacement cost?
VELUX’s electric “fresh air” skylight is a vented skylight that opens and closes using electricity by connecting it to a power source. You’ll get a standard remote to open and close this skylight, but it can be upgraded to add voice control, automatic control, and smart home automation.
You can expect an electric vented skylight replacement to cost around $3,000-$4,900.
How much does a solar-powered vented skylight replacement cost?
VELUX’s solar-powered “Fresh Air” skylight is like the electric vented skylight, except it uses the sun’s power to open and close. It can also be upgraded to add voice control, automatic control, and smart home automation.
You can expect a solar-powered skylight replacement to cost around $2,900-$4,800.
What impacts the cost of a skylight replacement?
Now you have an idea of how much a skylight replacement costs. Remember, the above costs are based on VELUX’s estimation to replace one skylight.
But VELUX isn’t a roofing contractor or doing the actual work, which is why the ranges are so wide. That’s why you need to know what impacts the cost of a skylight replacement to determine where you’ll fall on the range.
Obviously, the type plays a big factor, but so does the size, adding accessories, and more.
The labor and time it takes to replace your skylight
For any roofing or skylight project, labor and time have a huge impact on the final cost. The more time and manpower it takes to replace your skylight(s), the higher the labor costs.
The reason I’m listing this factor first is because it plays into everything else we’ll cover. And remember, the price ranges above do have labor factored into them.
However, there’s no fixed labor cost because every company is different (we’ll get to this in a little bit). Because of this, it’s impossible to tell you how much labor and time impact the cost of a skylight replacement.
The size of the skylight
After type, the most obvious factor that impacts the cost of a skylight replacement is size. The bigger the skylight, the more it costs.
If you’re replacing a current skylight, you’re most likely getting the same size. However, upgrading to a bigger size makes a replacement much more expensive.
Not only will the bigger skylight itself cost more, but the labor costs also increase. This is because fitting the new one into the existing opening requires construction that goes beyond a standard replacement.
Adding accessories to your replacement skylight
You can add a wide variety of accessories to a skylight, like blinds (darkening, light-filtering, venetian), remote controls, smart automation, and more. So, the more bells and whistles you add to your new skylight, the more it costs.
There can also be a small labor cost associated with blinds if the installers have to add them to the skylight before installation. Adding accessories gets expensive very quickly if you aren’t careful.
So, be mindful of your budget and wants vs. needs when picking your replacement skylight.
The complexity of the skylight replacement
Anytime you’re getting work done, the complexity of the job always factors into pricing. So, the more complex the skylight replacement, the more it impacts the cost.
For example, a steep roof pitch makes a skylight replacement harder, takes longer, and requires safety precautions, which increases the price. There are also things like building a curb or making custom flashing to seal the skylight completely.
No matter the reason, the complexity of your skylight replacement will factor into the final cost.
The roofing contractor you hire to replace your skylight
As I said in the very beginning, there’s no fixed cost for labor across the board. The labor costs associated with your skylight replacement depend on the local roofing contractor you hire.
Because of this, the roofing contractor you hire has the biggest impact on the cost of a skylight replacement. And it’s not just their specific labor costs; their overhead costs are also included in pricing.
Common operating costs that are wrapped into a roof replacement, roof repairs, a skylight replacement, and anything else are:
- Building cost and utilities, shop, and truck yard
- Advertising and promotions
- Vehicles (fuel and insurance)
- General liability insurance
- Workers compensation insurance
- Licenses and bonds
- Training
- Payroll and payroll taxes
- Taxes (Federal and local government)
No matter what work you get done or what service you need, operating expenses will always factor into an estimate or final cost.
Need a skylight replacement in Nashville, TN?
Now you have an idea of how much a skylight replacement costs and the factors that impact it. But remember, you won’t get an accurate estimate for your specific skylight replacement until after talking to a roofing contractor.
So, do your research, find a great local roofer, and get your skylight replaced. Just know that it’s crucial to find a roofer that has plenty of skylight experience.
To find a great roofer in your area, get this Checklist of Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor.
But if you’re local to Nashville, Tennessee, don’t hesitate to contact us for your skylight replacement.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has replaced skylights in Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee areas for over 30 years. We’re trusted and certified by the leading skylight brand in the country (VELUX) to install their products.
Request a Quote today for your skylight replacement needs in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, or another surrounding Middle Tennessee area.
