Skylight Installation Cost: By Type & Size (4 References)

Skylight installation costs $1,000 to $4,200 per skylight, with national averages of $1,523 to $2,900 depending on the reference.¹²³⁴ A tubular sun tunnel is the budget option at $500 to $1,000 installed (HomeGuide); replacing an existing skylight runs $800 to $2,400 (HomeGuide).² Prices below are national averages* for 2026.

*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on skylight type and size, roof material and pitch, labor rates, and permits ($50 to $400, Angi).¹

$1,920

national average, Angi

$1,600 – $4,200

new install, HomeGuide

$150 – $300

per sq ft, Angi

$500 – $1,000

tubular installed, HomeGuide

Quick math: the averages spread wide — $1,523 (Fixr), $1,800 (This Old House), $1,920 (Angi), $2,900 (HomeGuide). Fixr and Angi include small tubular jobs that pull the average down; HomeGuide centers on standard framed skylights where labor alone is $1,200 to $3,200, our reading of the scopes.¹²³⁴

Cost by skylight type (installed)

Type	Angi	HomeGuide
Tubular / sun tunnel	$900 – $2,100	$500 – $1,000
Fixed	$1,200 – $2,400	$1,500 – $4,000
Vented / ventilating	$1,500 – $3,500	$1,600 – $4,700
Custom	$2,500 – $5,500+	—

Angi’s tubular band sits above HomeGuide’s because it includes wiring and larger tubes, our reading; the unit itself is cheap either way — $150 to $500 (HomeGuide, This Old House).¹²⁴

Unit-only prices (Fixr)

Unit	Fixr price
Reflective tube	$229 – $417
Fixed	$295 – $537
Ventilated	$574 – $1,044

Frame material moves the unit price most: vinyl $150 to $1,000, metal $200 to $1,500, wood $300 to $2,500 (This Old House).⁴ The venting mechanism roughly doubles a comparable fixed unit, our arithmetic from Fixr’s bands.³

Where the money goes

Item	Cost	Source
Skylight unit	$150 – $2,000	HomeGuide
Installation labor	$500 – $1,500 (Angi) / $1,200 – $3,200 (HomeGuide)	both
Framing / carpenter	$300 – $800	Angi
Demolition & prep	$200 – $700	Angi
Permits	$50 – $400	Angi
Inspections	$100 – $250	Angi
Drywall / painting finish	$200 – $600	Angi

Labor estimates disagree because of roof complexity: steep pitches and tile or metal roofs slow the work and raise disposal costs (Angi).¹ Electricians add $50 to $120 per hour for motorized or lit units (Angi).¹

New install vs replacement

Project	HomeGuide
New skylight (cut new opening)	$1,600 – $4,200
Replace existing skylight	$800 – $2,400

Replacement costs roughly half a new install because the opening, flashing, and interior finish already exist (HomeGuide), our reading.²

Worked examples

Example 1 — tubular sun tunnel, hallway. $500 to $1,000 installed (HomeGuide); Fixr’s low-end job, a reflective tube in a powder room, came in at $647.²³

Example 2 — standard fixed skylight, bedroom. $1,200 to $2,400 (Angi) to $1,500 to $4,000 (HomeGuide) depending on roof; ~$1,920 typical (Angi).¹²

Example 3 — large vented unit with new framing. $1,500 to $3,500 + $300 to $800 carpenter = $1,800 to $4,300, our arithmetic (Angi).¹

FAQ

Can I DIY a skylight? You can save $500 to $1,500 in labor (Angi), but improper flashing is the classic leak-and-water-damage failure, and code violations risk the resale — professional install is our judgment for anything beyond a tube.¹

What’s the cheapest skylight? A tubular sun tunnel: $150 to $500 for the unit, $500 to $1,000 installed (HomeGuide).²

Do I need a permit? Usually yes: $50 to $400, plus $100 to $250 if inspections are required (Angi).¹

Which type leaks least? Fixed units — no operable parts or seals to fail (HomeGuide, Fixr), their shared claim.²³

Vented worth it? In hot climates, yes — venting lets trapped heat escape a vaulted ceiling and eases AC load (Fixr).³

Sources

Angi, How Much Does Skylight Installation Cost? (2026 data, 1,577 projects).
HomeGuide, How Much Does a Skylight Cost to Install? (2026).
Fixr, How Much Does It Cost to Install or Replace a Skylight?
This Old House, How Much Does Skylight Installation Cost?