skylight installation costs

5 Variables That Determine Skylight Installation Costs

Skylights can be an incredible addition to any residence, bringing in sunlight and possibly even fresh air. But, how do you determine how much a skylight installation will cost? While every home and homeowner differs, there are a few common variables that impact the cost of your skylight. While there are many more variables that can impact skylight installation, these five are some of the biggest drivers of price variances. At Ranch Roofing we are as transparent as possible with our skylight pricing for skylight replacements. Due to the home-specific nature of skylight installation, high-quality roofing companies offer variable skylight pricing structures. Importantly, while looking for a skylight contractor, they should be transparent about their pricing and process. To help, the following outlines the major variables that impact skylight installation costs.

Style Affects Skylight Installation Costs

It goes without saying that more advanced skylights are going to be more expensive. Although there are three main types of skylights for homes, sizes do vary. For example, if sizes are the same, then a fixed skylight offers homeowners the lowest cost. Next, vented skylights. Finally, the most expensive are solar-vented skylights. The type of skylight remains the major driver of the total installation cost. For reference, fixed skylights offer the lowest skylight prices because they have the least number of moving parts. Plus, these are fantastic for bringing light into your home in areas that may be difficult to best utilize the venting feature. On the other hand, solar venting skylights are very simple to use, but due to the technology they possess, are much more expensive.

Cost to Replace Vs Install a Skylight

When replacing a skylight with the same size as the existing unit reduces the overall installation costs as well. For example, the installation process is much simpler than a complete installation of a new skylight, which requires new carpentry. In a new installation, shingles need to be removed, and new areas of waterproofing will be required to ensure your roofing system remains impenetrable. This is another major variable that can drastically affect skylight installation costs.

Be Mindful of Skylight Sizing

Much like the windows of your home, larger pieces of glass are more expensive than their smaller counterparts. Skylight prices increase as they get larger. Plus, the labor costs increase as the work required to install them becomes more difficult as well. However, larger skylights bring in substantially more natural light and fresh air than smaller ones, which creates a necessary tradeoff for homeowners that are exploring their options with new skylights.

How Much Work is Required Inside of the Home?

While not directly related to the work of actually installing a skylight, carpentry inside of your home is another variable that impacts the overall skylight installation cost. There are many smaller variables that fit within this area, which causes this often-overlooked area to be very important when exploring your options. To be able to fully enjoy your new skylight, you should be very aware of the lesser-known installation costs that can drastically impact your new skylight installation costs.

Skylight Costs Vary by Project

Skylight installation requires significant prep work. Therefore, installing a skylight when replacing your roof offers a reduction in the overall skylight costs. For example, most roofing companies offer free or reduced labor costs when installing a skylight during a larger roofing project. Conversely, installing a skylight on a healthy roof can increase the overall skylight costs. This is a factor that all homeowners should be aware of when exploring skylight installation costs


As a whole, skylights can be the cherry on top of any home project. Their benefits to health and well-being are endless and truly make your house feel like a home. Ranch Roofing is a leader in Boston area skylights. For more questions or to schedule a free estimate, don’t hesitate to reach out to be connected with a member of our expert sales team for an on-site consultation.