Shining Light on the True Cost of Skylights: What You Need to Know

Skylights provide many outstanding benefits to homeowners. For example, they offer natural light that may be difficult to access if the home is in a shady neighborhood. Skylights also enable homeowners to save money because they become less reliant on electricity and indoor lighting. Skylights also enhance the health and well-being of a home’s residents. They deliver an improved ambiance that makes interior spaces feel brighter.

Many homeowners enjoy preserving privacy while still accessing natural light. Depending on the neighborhood, the homeowner may want to avoid drawing the blinds to obtain sunlight. Additionally, real estate professionals say that skylights increase a home’s resale value. Prospective home buyers consider skylights a desirable feature and may pay a premium to purchase a home with one or more skylights.

Let’s discuss the cost of skylights.

Understanding The Cost Of Skylights

Today, homeowners should expect to pay between $1,000 and $7,000 for a skylight, including the materials and installation. Because so many different types of skylights exist, homeowners have countless options at all price points. 

However, homeowners should be cautious about who they hire to install the skylight. Most roofing companies do not routinely add skylights to roofs. Thus, homeowners should carefully vet each contractor to ensure they are properly qualified.

1. Product / Material Costs

Typically, a skylight costs between $250 and $6,000 or more. On the low end, a fixed curb mount skylight will cost from $250 to $1,000. On the more expensive end, pyramid-shaped, electric “fresh air,” remote-controlled, vented, and solar-powered skylights provide enhanced indoor lighting and additional features for homeowners.

2. Installation / Labor Costs

A homeowner should expect to pay between $300 and $3,000 to install a skylight. Naturally, the more complex the skylight design, the more time-intensive the installation. Generally, a tubular skylight is the easiest to install. Additionally, adding a skylight to a vaulted ceiling typically requires less time than a flat roof.

3. Insurance Costs

If you’re considering a skylight installation, remember that adding a new skylight could impact your homeowner’s insurance premium. Will you pay more for insurance? Could you generate savings? It’s difficult to say. Some insurers view a skylight as a liability. Others are indifferent or view skylights favorably.

4. Repair Costs

Adding a new skylight requires the homeowner to consider the cost of repairing the roof should an issue arise. Hopefully, this potential issue will not occur because the skylight was installed correctly at the outset. Regardless, a skylight can be an entry point for moisture intrusion even if it was precisely installed and watertight initially.