Your skylights aren’t going to last forever. This is because the materials that make up your skylight will eventually start to succumb to old age and begin to fail.
This isn’t a bad thing though, it’s what’s supposed to happen. When your older skylight starts to show signs of old age (around 15 years), it just means that it’s time for a replacement.
You already invested in a skylight before, and you know the price you paid. But the price you’ll pay to replace your skylight is going to be different from the cost to install a new skylight.
So, how much does it cost to replace your skylight(s)? Because we want you to be as informed as possible when going through the skylight replacement process, we’re going to break it down for you.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been replacing skylights in the Nashville area since 1990. You can count on our experience and workmanship to ensure your skylight stays leak-free for the life of the materials. That’s why VELUX certified us to install their products.
By the end of this article, you’ll learn how much it’ll cost to replace your VELUX skylight and 4 factors that impact the cost of your replacement. And at the very end, we’re going to give you a great tool to help you find a great roofing contractor for your skylight needs.
How much does it cost to replace your VELUX skylight?
VELUX offers a wide variety of skylights for you to choose from, but there are some that we see the most.
For this article, we’re only going to discuss the prices to replace some of the most common VELUX skylights. Even though we’re only going to talk about 3 here, these price ranges give you a good idea of how much you can expect to pay for your skylight replacement.
The price ranges below are based on a single skylight replacement, including the product itself and the labor it takes to 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 replace your skylight.
DISCLAIMER: All of the prices are ESTIMATES ONLY, you’ll get the actual price for your skylight replacement 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.
- Replacement cost per 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.
- Replacement cost per 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.
- Replacement cost per skylight: $900-$2,400
Remember, these price ranges are based on replacing one skylight and VELUX’s (not your local contractor) estimated labor to replace them. To learn more about these skylights in more detail, read this article on the 4 most common types of VELUX skylights.
4 factors that impact the cost of replacing your VELUX skylight(s)
Now that you have an idea of how it’ll cost to replace your skylight, you’re ready to learn 4 things that impact the price of your replacement. The amount of labor, getting a bigger skylight, and more factor into the final cost of replacing a skylight.
1. The labor and time it takes to replace your skylight
For any roofing project, the more time and manpower it takes to complete the project, the more the price rises. I already mentioned that labor plays into the cost of your skylight replacement because it was included in the price ranges above.
Be aware, if you get a new skylight, the labor cost will be more expensive than a replacement because it takes more construction and more time to install it. For example, 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.
No matter what skylight or roof work you need, if it takes time and manpower, it’s going to impact the final cost.
2. The roofing contractor you hire to replace your skylight
You just learned that the more labor and time it takes to replace your skylight, the more the cost goes up. The actual labor cost of your replacement 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 of your skylight. If you hire the cheapest contractor, then you’re going to get the cheapest labor to replace your skylight.
The last thing you want is your newly replaced skylight leaking 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 a roofing contractor, do your research and look for a local company with a strong history of replacing and installing skylights. To help you find a great contractor to replace your skylight, read this article on why it’s important to hire a local roofing contractor.
3. Upgrading to a bigger 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.
But you also have to think about how upgrading to a bigger skylight will impact the cost of your replacement. Remember, if you get a new skylight, the cost will be higher because it takes more construction and more time to install it.
If you’re replacing your old skylight with a bigger skylight, some construction will be required to fit the new one into the existing opening. This leads to more labor and time, which causes the price to go up.
4. Adding accessories to your replacement skylight
VELUX offers a variety of accessories to add so you can get the skylight that fits your needs. These skylight 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 don’t have to worry about this price factor.
Find a great roofing contractor to replace your skylight(s)
Now you have an idea of how much your VELUX skylight replacement will cost and 4 things that impact that price. The price you’ll ultimately pay to replace your skylight will vary from contractor to contractor.
Remember, don’t try to find the lowest price in your area. I understand a lot of homeowners are concerned about pricing, and a cheaper contractor can be tempting on a tight budget. But you can’t put a price on quality.
If you shouldn’t hire a contractor based solely on cost, what should you look for? To help you find a great roofing contractor to install or replace skylight(s), we developed a free checklist.
Our 16 question checklist contains the main questions every homeowner needs to ask a roofing contractor and the right answers to look for. It gives you the power to tell the difference between a great roofing company and one that might take advantage of you.
While some of the questions won’t have anything to do with skylights specifically, they still help you determine if a contractor does things the right way and if you can trust them. But if you’re local to Nashville, skip the research and call us for your skylight replacement.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been installing, replacing, and repairing skylights for the residents of Nashville since 1990. We’re trusted and certified by the leading skylight brand in the country (VELUX) to install their products. If you’re local to Nashville, don’t hesitate to contact us for all of your skylight needs.
Get your free Checklist of Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor so you can find a great company to replace your skylights.
