Skylight replacement typically runs $800 to $2,000 or more each when the skylight goes in during a reroof. Replacing one on its own as a repair usually costs $1,200 to $3,000. These are area ranges, not a quote, and a lot of leaking skylights do not need replacing at all.
The short version
- A skylight replaced during a reroof typically runs $800 to $2,000 or more each.
- A stand-alone skylight replacement typically runs $1,200 to $3,000.
- Fixing the seal and flashing around it typically runs $900 to $2,000, and often solves the leak.
- Fogged glass between the panes means the glass unit has failed. Leaks around the edge usually mean flashing.
- Interior damage, like a stained ceiling, is never part of the roofing price.
What does it cost to replace a skylight?
It typically costs $1,200 to $3,000 to replace a skylight as a repair, and $800 to $2,000 or more each when it is done during a roof replacement. National guides land in the same neighborhood: This Old House says a professionally installed skylight costs between $1,000 and $3,000 (opens in a new tab) on average.
Why is the stand-alone number higher? Because one person has to come out, open the roof around the old unit, fit the new one and rebuild the waterproofing, all for a single skylight. On a reroof the roof is already open and the crew is already there.
| Job | What it typically runs |
|---|---|
| Skylight replaced during a reroof | $800 to $2,000 or more each |
| Skylight replaced on its own | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Skylight reflash (new flashing, same skylight) | $900 to $2,000 |
| Finding where a leak comes from | $150 to $400 |
| Minimum repair visit | $350 to $550 for a smaller company, $550 to $900 for a larger one |
Keep in mind that these are typical ranges for the Ellicott City area. Your roof, your skylight and your access decide the real number.
Do you need a new skylight, or just new flashing?
Often you need the flashing, not the skylight. Flashing is the metal that sits around the skylight and steers water away from the opening. When it fails, the skylight drips even though the glass is perfectly fine.
Our skylight repair page says the same thing: a dripping skylight does not always need replacing. A reflash typically runs $900 to $2,000, which is less than a replacement and a good deal less than the ceiling it saves.
Replacement makes sense when the skylight itself is the problem. The Department of Energy says a unit should be replaced if it is damaged, relatively old (opens in a new tab), or no longer meets what you need from it. It lists three signs: failed insulated glass, leaks at the frame joints, and leaks at the gaskets or weather stripping.
How can you tell if the glass has failed?
Look for fog or water droplets between the two panes of glass. The Department of Energy describes it as condensation between the inner and outer panes (opens in a new tab), and it means the sealed glass unit has failed. You cannot wipe it off, because it is inside.
Condensation on the room side is a different matter. That is usually humid indoor air, and it can happen on a skylight that is working fine. If you are not sure which you have, we can tell during a visit.
What makes skylight replacement cost more?
The skylight itself, the roof around it and the work needed to get to it all move the price. Size and type matter first, and This Old House lists size, quality of materials, complexity of installation (opens in a new tab) and extra features as the main drivers.
A few things we see add to a bill:
- A venting skylight. One that opens costs more than a fixed one, which is generally less expensive (opens in a new tab) than venting models.
- Wet wood under the old unit. If the decking (the plywood the shingles sit on) is soaked, it typically adds $150 to $500 or more.
- A steep or cut-up roof, or poor access. A hard-to-reach skylight takes longer.
- Shingles that do not match. Patches around an old skylight show, and discontinued shingles can mean a bigger repair.
Older units are the usual suspects. This Old House notes that older skylights were notoriously leaky (opens in a new tab) and often had single-pane glass that fogged up inside.
Is it cheaper to replace a skylight during a reroof?
Yes, and it is the cheapest time to do it. When we put in a new roof, new flashing goes in around skylights as part of the job unless it is specified as reuse. A skylight replacement itself is quoted separately, at that $800 to $2,000 or more each, and we strongly recommend doing it then.
The reason is simple. A new roof with an old skylight leaves the oldest, most leak-prone part of the roof right in the middle of the new work. If your roof is near the end of its life, our guide to what a roof replacement costs shows where a skylight fits in the bigger number. And if you are choosing between a skylight and a smaller light, solar tube skylights cost less and leave a smaller hole.
What does the price not include?
Skylight prices cover the roof side only. Those ranges do not include:
- Drywall, paint or insulation inside. Interior repairs are never included.
- Wet decking found once the old unit is out.
- Detaching and resetting solar panels, if they are near the skylight.
If water has been coming in for a while, the ceiling usually shows it last. By the time there is a stain, the wood and insulation above it have often been wet for a long time. Fixing a skylight early is cheaper than fixing what it leaks onto.
Common questions
Can you replace just the glass in a skylight?
It depends on the make and age of the skylight, and on whether parts for it still exist. We would need to see it. On an older unit, replacing the whole skylight is often the simpler answer.
How long does it take to replace a skylight?
A single skylight is usually a matter of hours on site, not days, as long as the weather is dry. Roof work needs a dry roof, so rain pushes it back. Wet wood or a shingle problem found when the old unit comes out can add time.
Does homeowners insurance pay for a leaking skylight?
It depends on your policy and on why it leaked. Your policy and your adjuster decide, so ask them before work starts. We can write down what we find, but we cannot say what a claim will pay.
What to do next
If your skylight drips or the glass has fogged, start with a free roof inspection. We will tell you whether it needs new flashing or a new unit. If you are adding or swapping one, see our skylight installation page for how it should be sealed into the roof.
