How Much Does It Cost to Put in a Skylight in 2025?

Skylight Installation Cost Factors

There are several skylight installation cost factors to keep in mind, especially the size, type, and window finish you choose.

Size 

Professional installation costs go up for larger windows, as these are more difficult to install. You may only need to pay $150 for a pro to cut a 16-by-16-inch hole in the roof, but a 48-by-48-inch hole will range from $2,500 to $3,500, depending on the shape and style.

The wrong size could be too small and fail to bring in natural light. For example, a 16-by-16-inch opening might not be enough to light a large, open-space living area. On the other hand, if it's too large, air could escape, or water could leak in.

During installation, a pro must properly align the hole in the roof with the ceiling. Otherwise, the window won’t fit into the spot, and fixing that mistake will require more time and money. Expect to pay about $875 for the cost of skylight repairs.  

Most standard-sized skylights cost $150 to $3,500. The larger the skylight, the higher the price. If your roof opening doesn’t fit one of the below sizes, expect to pay at least 25% more for the unit than the next-closest standard option on this list.

Type

Skylights range from $1,009 and $2,802, depending on the type. Fixed skylights tend to be the least expensive, while high-quality, branded skylights cost more but may last longer. Additional features, like ventilating skylights, tend to cost more than basic models.

Fixed skylights are simple glass structures that essentially act like a window in your ceiling. They can’t be opened, but they’re among the least expensive to install. As the name suggests, ventilating skylights can be opened to increase airflow. Tubular skylights are a unique type—they are small tubes that reflect light into the home through a very small opening, making them the most low-cost way to add a skylight to your home.

Roof Type

Installing a skylight on a flat roof typically costs more than on a pitched roof because it requires more drywall work. The windows for a flat roof or Spanish tiled pitched roofs may cost more, around $1,800 to $2,500 each, due to the added protection against leaks. 

A deck-mounted skylight is more common for pitched roofs of 15 to 85 degrees. This type of skylight mounting allows the window to sit flush with the roof. Curb-mounted skylights are best for roofs with a pitch of at least 60 degrees but may require more time for installation, making this mounting style more expensive.

For roofs with trusses, smaller skylights may fit without an issue. But wider skylights may require you to hire a structural engineer for an additional $100 to $220 per hour to widen the truss to fit a skylight. 

Window Finish 

You can choose to add a finish to your skylights for an additional $20 to $500. There are various options and uses for finishes. For example, window tinting costs $100 to $400, while a low-E coating can help block UV rays and improve energy efficiency for $100 to $250.

Customizations 

Custom skylights cost about $1,500 to $5,000, not including labor. These windows may feature unique shapes and sizes or particular glass patterns or colors, such as stained or etched glass. Some skylight brands include an optional retractable shade that may come in varying colors. 

Custom skylights may be the best option if you have an irregular roof—or if you install them during construction on a new home or commercial building rather than inserting them into a standard, existing roof. 

Because of the complexity of adding custom skylights, labor for this type of project may cost up to $4,000.

Labor

Labor for window installation costs around $300 on the low end. However, more complex jobs, like installing on a flat or very steep roof or handling a large skylight, can significantly increase the costs of the project. Skylight installation will take about one day, though large installations could take as long as a week, depending on the skills and availability of your local skylight installation pro.

Installing skylights costs at least $300 and may go up as high as $4,000 for large, custom jobs. While this can seem like a steep portion of the project cost, it’s essential to hire a window installer to ensure the window fits properly and won’t leak in the near future. The roof type and additional electrical work to add remote-control ventilation features can also add to the installation cost.

Electrical Work

Vented skylights with remote controls may require electrical work ranging between $100 and $400. If you opt for these skylights, include the cost to hire an electrician in your overall budget because most installers will not lay wiring. Some skylight brands offer a built-in solar panel, allowing the vented skylight to operate without any need for additional electrical work.

Commercial vs. Residential

Residential skylights cost between $1,009 and $2,802 to install, while commercial alternatives range between $1,000 and $4,000. Commercial roof windows tend to be bigger and consist of varied materials. Many businesses require safety glass and install these windows to save on lighting bills for large facilities. Safety glass and dome shapes are common for business applications.

Does Installing a Skylight Increase Home Value?

While skylights are an undeniably beautiful addition to any home, they don’t always directly add value to the property as you might expect. While some people will love the extra light and added energy efficiency offered by a skylight, other people may not consider it as high of a priority. For this reason, adding a skylight isn’t a project done solely to increase your home’s value.

Budgeting for the Cost to Put in a Skylight

Adding a skylight to your home can get expensive quickly. Here are a few ways to save on this home improvement project:

• If you want to add light to your home as inexpensively as possible, consider a tubular skylight over a traditional glass one.

• Make the investment in a quality skylight, materials, and labor to save on glass replacement costs and other issues down the line.

• Pay upfront for smart glass installation costs and other energy-efficient features for long-term savings.

• Choose a traditional, square-shaped skylight over a more expensive dome or triangle style.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.