Skylight installation cost in 2026 runs $1,014–$2,828 per skylight, with a national average of $1,920 (Angi, updated Sep 8, 2026, from 1,577 verified projects) — or $1,600–$4,200 on HomeGuide’s wider 2026 range. The skylight type sets the band: tubular $500–$1,500, fixed $1,500–$4,000, manual venting $1,600–$4,700, solar/electric venting $2,400–$5,500, custom $3,000–$9,000. The roof type sets the ceiling: $1,600–$4,200 on a pitched roof vs $2,100–$4,800 on a flat roof — the curb is the difference. And there is no federal tax credit in 2026: §25C and §25D both ended for property placed in service after December 31, 2025, even though some dealers are still advertising the expired 30%.
Table of Contents
Nobody prices a skylight like a window — because it isn’t one. A window sits in a wall someone already framed. A skylight means cutting a hole in your roof, framing it, flashing it against water, and running an interior shaft through the attic — which is why the unit on the quote ($350–$1,100 at retail) can be a quarter of what you actually pay. Two quotes for the “same” fixed skylight can differ by $2,000, and both can be honest: one assumed a simple deck-mounted install on a pitched roof, the other a curb-built install on a flat roof with a custom shaft.
Three traps define this market. First, the unit price is a decoy — installation labor ($500–$1,500), the opening and structural work ($400–$1,500), and the waterproofing system ($200–$600) are where the money goes. Second, the 2026 market moved under buyers: VELUX started bundling solar-powered room-darkening shades with most skylights in April 2026 (adding $250–$750 to the base price), and VELUX raises prices 3–7% every March/April. Third, the old 30% credit is gone — and at least one dealer is still advertising it as live (verified this week; named below).
This guide prices every skylight type installed, decomposes the invoice into unit vs hole, splits pitched vs flat roof costs, tracks the VELUX 2026 change, prices repair vs replacement, and kills the stale credit claim with a dated verification.
Skylight installation cost by type: the 2026 ladder
| Type | 2026 installed range | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Tubular (sun tunnel) | $500–$1,500 | Reflective tube from roof to ceiling diffuser — light, not a view; installs in ~2 hours |
| Fixed | $1,500–$4,000 | Non-opening glass; the least leak-prone design — no moving seals or operators (energybs.com, Oct 2026) |
| Venting manual | $1,600–$4,700 | Opens with a hand crank or handle for airflow |
| Venting solar / electric | $2,400–$5,500 | Powered opener + remote; VELUX solar models now ship with bundled shades |
| Custom | $3,000–$9,000 | Non-standard sizes, ridge installations, walk-on roof windows |
The ladder above uses contractor-anchored 2026 ranges (HomeGuide 2026 via energybs.com; buildsandbuys.com; NJ/PA read via americanqualityremodeling.com, Oct 2026; prrotectroofing.com, 2026). HomeGuide’s wider headline band is $1,600–$4,200 per new skylight, averaging $2,900 — the upper end covers custom sizes, attic shafts, and harder roofs.
Tubular pricing in detail. Solatube dealer-installed pricing (up to 5 ft of tubing, 2026): 10-inch round $1,145; 10-inch square $1,295; 14-inch round $1,345; 14-inch square $1,495 (solbrightskylightsmn.com). RoofSmart (getroofsmart.com) installs sun tunnels at $816 + tax plus $224 + tax for flashing. DIY kits start around $200 — but the install itself is licensed-roofer work at height, not a weekend project. Accessories run separately: Solar NightLight $65, Solar Daylight Dimmer $395, Vent Kit $349.
The regional reads. NJ/PA: fixed $1,500–$4,000 installed, tubular $500–$1,100, vented motor/solar $2,400–$4,700 (americanqualityremodeling.com, Oct 2026). Charlotte: $1,500–$5,000 for a new install, most common $2,000–$3,500, labor $60–$120/hr (roofmedic.com, 2026). Tennessee: $1,011–$2,808 national, average ~$1,909; industry typical $1,000–$3,000, average $1,800 (jeffwoodsconstruction.com, updated Sep 4, 2026). This Old House’s national average sits at ~$1,800.
Replacing in an existing opening is a different job: $800–$2,400 — the roof cut, framing, and shaft already exist, so it’s a unit swap, not an install (HomeGuide 2026).
Unit vs installed: why the hole costs more than the skylight
The single most misunderstood line on a skylight quote is the unit price. HomeGuide 2026 unit-only bands: fixed $150–$800; venting manual $300–$1,200; venting electric $1,100–$1,600; venting solar $1,100–$2,000. Then the installer adds: installation labor $500–$1,500, permits $50–$400 (Angi, Sep 2026), creating the opening plus structural reinforcement $400–$1,500, waterproofing system $200–$600, at $50–$120/hr labor rates. A $580 unit on a $2,800 invoice is normal — the hole is the product, not the glass.
The VELUX unit-price ladder at Home Depot (Oct 2026, verified):
| VELUX model | Unit price (unit only, + tax) | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| FS deck-mounted fixed (14 standard sizes) | $580.01–$1,107.14 | Includes solar room-darkening shade |
| FS C12 (21 x 70-1/4) | $1,004.97 | Deck-mounted fixed, shaded |
| FS A06 (14.5 x 45.75) | $580.01 | Deck-mounted fixed, shaded |
| FCM curb-mounted fixed (1430 to 3171) | $343.68–$1,201.62 | Curb unit only — curb built on site |
| VCM 2246 curb-mounted manual venting | $989.00 | Manual operator |
| Deck-mounted venting range | $1,027.39–$1,580.76 | Electric/solar venting |
| Curb-mounted venting range | $915.56–$1,711.30 | Electric/solar venting |
Online unit anchors (us.findthedeal.org, crawled Nov 2026): VELUX FCM 2222 with solar room-darkening shade $345.13; FS 21×54 $712.59; VS manual venting $968.08. Brand bands: VELUX $150–$2,000; Fakro $220–$3,500; Solatube tubular $140–$500 (HomeGuide 2026). Compare any unit-only number against the size: a 21×38-inch unit runs $200–$1,200; a 46×46-inch unit runs $500–$1,600.
The decomposition math to carry into every quote: for a fixed skylight, the unit is roughly 20–35% of the installed total; labor, the opening, and flashing are the rest. When two quotes differ by $1,000 on the same unit, the difference is almost always in the flashing labor and the shaft finish — ask for those lines by name.
Pitched vs flat roof: skylight installation cost on two roof types
This is the split that explains the wildest quote gaps. HomeGuide (via americanqualityremodeling.com, Oct 2026): pitched roof $1,600–$4,200 installed; flat roof $2,100–$4,800. A second contractor read puts pitched at $1,100–$2,065, noting flat roofs require curb construction to prevent leaks (prrotectroofing.com, 2026).
The curb is the cost driver. On a pitched roof, a deck-mounted skylight flashes directly into the shingle course — the standard, cheaper install. On a flat roof, the skylight must sit on a raised curb (typically 4+ inches) that keeps standing water away from the flashing line, plus additional waterproofing membrane around the curb. The flat-roof component math (newenglandmetalroof.com, 2026): fixed materials $150–$1,000 + install $300–$1,500 = $450–$2,500; vented $300–$1,500 + $500–$2,000 = $800–$3,500; tubular $200–$600 + $250–$1,000 = $450–$1,600; custom $2,000–$6,000+.
The honest read for buyers: if your flat-roof quote is ~$1,000–$1,500 more than a pitched-roof equivalent, that’s the curb and the extra waterproofing — not padding. If it’s $3,000 more, get a second quote. And when a roof is due for replacement, installing the skylight during the re-roof saves real money: the flashing integrates into the new roof system in one pass instead of cutting into a finished roof. See our roof replacement cost guide for the re-roof numbers.
2026 freshness: the VELUX bundle change and unit-price ladder
The 2026 angle nobody owns nationally is what VELUX did in April. Starting April 2026, most VELUX skylights ship bundled with solar-powered room-darkening shades — this adds $250–$750 to the base price but is typically cheaper than buying the shade separately (buildsandbuys.com, 2026). The corollary: fixed skylights WITHOUT shades are now special order with longer lead times. If a quote on a fixed VELUX comes in hundreds higher than a 2024 quote, the shade is probably the reason — ask for the unbundled breakdown before assuming the installer raised margins.
The timing trick that actually works. VELUX raises prices every March/April by 3–7% — ordering in February locks the old pricing (buildsandbuys.com, 2026). This is one of the few legitimate seasonal discounts in home services: same unit, same installer, 3–7% less if the order lands before the annual increase.
VELUX’s own tax statement matters too. VELUX stated it can no longer certify that solar-powered skylights qualify for the federal Residential Clean Energy Credit under §25D — the credit expired for property placed in service after December 31, 2025 (roofmedic.com, 2026). When the manufacturer itself says the credit angle is dead, dealer pages still advertising it are officially stale.
The unit-price ladder to anchor your shopping (Home Depot, Oct 2026, all + tax): entry deck-mounted fixed FS A06 at $580.01; mid-range FS C12 at $1,004.97; the 14-size FS range at $580.01–$1,107.14; curb-mounted fixed FCM from $343.68 (1430) to $1,201.62 (3171); manual venting VCM 2246 at $989.00. Online anchors (Nov 2026): FCM 2222 with solar shade $345.13; FS 21×54 $712.59; VS manual venting $968.08. These are unit-only numbers — installed cost adds the labor, opening, and flashing lines from the previous section.
Skylight installation cost for repair vs replacement: the 50% rule
Every leaking skylight forces the same decision: repair or replace. The repair price ladder (2026): leak repair $225–$800; flashing repair $150–$500; reseal/recaulk $75–$250; cracked glass or dome $300–$800; full unit replacement $900–$2,500 installed (HomeGuide, Feb 2026 — borderline stale, used here for range confirmation only; jeffwoodsconstruction.com, TN, updated Sep 4, 2026; Philadelphia read via enthrallinggumption.com, updated Oct 6, 2026). Seattle-local Angi data runs higher — average repair $806, range $388–$1,223 (flagged as local, not national). Flashing-component detail: full flashing replacement $400–$900; step flashing per section $300–$700; re-sealing accessible flashing $150–$350 (archexteriors.com; Modernize flashing guide, 2026).
The 50% rule: if repair costs exceed 50% of a new installation, replacement is the smarter move. And the age line: a skylight over 15 years old that’s leaking: repair is rarely the right call (jeffwoodsconstruction.com, 2026). The unit’s seals and flashing have aged together; fixing one while the other is dying buys months, not years.
Why leaks happen. One publisher claims “90% of skylight leaks are due to improper flashing installation” — that figure is unattributed, so treat it as a single-publisher claim, not established fact (buildsandbuys.com). But the directional truth is solid across contractors: flashing is the #1 leak source by a wide margin (universalroofs.ca, attributed Canadian contractor claim), because proper skylight flashing must be woven into the shingles — apron pieces below, step flashing on the sides, a saddle (cricket) above to divert water (jeffwoodsconstruction.com, 2026). This is also why a roof inspection catches skylight problems early: flashing is on the checklist. See our roof inspection cost guide for what a real inspection covers. And on the envelope side, skylights are windows’ roof-bound siblings — our window replacement cost guide prices the vertical-glass version.
The interior-damage adders decide urgency: interior water damage adds $300–$1,200 on top of the repair (Philadelphia read). A $400 reseal that waits six months becomes a $1,600 drywall-and-paint job. If you see a stain, the quote can’t wait.
Skylight installation cost and tax credits: the $0 answer for 2026
Through 2025, §25C covered qualifying windows/skylights at 30%, capped at $600 for the category. §25C terminated for property placed in service after Dec 31, 2025; §25D ended the same date. A 2026 skylight install gets NO federal tax credit (energybs.com, Oct 13, 2026).
And here is the verified stale callout: shastasunlight.com — a California Solatube dealer, page crawled and verified 2026-11-04 — is STILL advertising a “30% Federal Tax Credit on the new Solatube ISn with Solar Electric NightLight,” with “30% Tax Credit Savings” columns ($268–$415 on tubulars) and “After 30% Tax Credit” prices ($627–$970), plus 30% claims on solar attic fans. Those columns show prices that are wrong in 2026: there is no 30% credit to deduct. The credit they’re subtracting died December 31, 2025 (OBBBA, P.L. 119-21; IRS FS-2025-05) — and VELUX itself has said it can no longer certify solar skylights for §25D.
The rule of thumb for every dealer page this year: if it advertises a federal tax credit on skylights without the words “through 2025” or “placed in service before January 1, 2026,” treat every price column as untrustworthy. For the full credit-kill list across all home energy equipment, see our 2026 energy tax credits guide.
Key takeaways
– Skylight installation cost 2026: $1,014–$2,828 (Angi avg $1,920, 1,577 projects) or $1,600–$4,200 (HomeGuide); tubular $500–$1,500, fixed $1,500–$4,000, vented manual $1,600–$4,700, vented solar/electric $2,400–$5,500, custom $3,000–$9,000.
– The unit is 20–35% of the bill — labor ($500–$1,500), the opening + structural work ($400–$1,500), and waterproofing ($200–$600) are where the money goes.
– Flat roofs cost $2,100–$4,800 vs pitched $1,600–$4,200 — the curb is the cost driver; installing during a re-roof saves real money.
– VELUX April 2026: solar-powered room-darkening shades now bundled (+$250–$750); fixed units without shades are special order; VELUX raises prices 3–7% every March/April — order in February.
– Repair ($225–$800 leak; $150–$500 flashing) vs replace ($900–$2,500): the 50% rule — and a leaking skylight over 15 years old should be replaced, not repaired.
– $0 federal tax credit in 2026 — shastasunlight.com (verified 2026-11-04) is still advertising the dead 30%; ignore “After 30% Tax Credit” price columns.
Sources & methodology
Cost figures compiled November 2026 from 2026 published cost guides and contractor data: angi.com (updated Sep 8, 2026, 1,577 verified projects); energybs.com (Oct 2026, HomeGuide 2026 table); buildsandbuys.com (2026, VELUX change + price tiers); americanqualityremodeling.com (Oct 2026, NJ/PA read); prrotectroofing.com (2026); roofmedic.com (2026, Charlotte read); jeffwoodsconstruction.com (updated Sep 4, 2026, TN read); getroofsmart.com (2026, VELUX Home Depot ladder + RoofSmart pricing); solbrightskylightsmn.com (2026, Solatube dealer pricing); solatube.com (published Mar 16, 2026); us.findthedeal.org (crawled Nov 2026, online unit prices); newenglandmetalroof.com (component breakdown); Modernize (Aug 31, 2026 tubular guide; 2026 flashing guide); archexteriors.com (2026); enthrallinggumption.com (updated Oct 6, 2026, Philadelphia read); a1roofproct.com (Jul 2026, CT read); allthingsbend.org (HomeGuide repair ranges). Repair ranges from homeguide.com (updated Feb 2026) are borderline stale — used for range confirmation only; headline install figures come from Angi Sep 2026 / energybs.com Oct 2026. Angi’s Seattle repair page ($806 avg) is local data, not national. Stale-credit callout verified 2026-11-04 on shastasunlight.com. Tax: IRS FS-2025-05, OBBBA P.L. 119-21. No Canadian/Australian data used in US figures. Skylight-adjacent pricing referenced from our article 6 (roof replacement), article 28 (window replacement), article 32 (roof inspection); OBBBA master list from our article 5.
Disclaimer: Prices are 2026 US national averages and vary by region, roof type, skylight type, and contractor — get 3 written, itemized local quotes. Tax information is general and not tax advice — confirm with a tax professional. Skylight installation is licensed roofing-contractor work at height: roof penetration, structural framing, and flashing integration. This article covers cost and decision information only, never installation instructions.
How much does a skylight installation cost in 2026?
$1,014–$2,828 per skylight (Angi, updated Sep 8, 2026, average $1,920 from 1,577 verified projects) — or $1,600–$4,200 on HomeGuide’s wider 2026 range, averaging $2,900. Type sets the band: tubular $500–$1,500, fixed $1,500–$4,000, manual venting $1,600–$4,700, solar/electric venting $2,400–$5,500, custom $3,000–$9,000. Pitched roofs run $1,600–$4,200; flat roofs $2,100–$4,800.
Is a tubular skylight (sun tunnel) worth it?
For light, yes; for a view, no. A tubular skylight costs $500–$1,500 installed (Solatube dealer pricing: 10-inch round $1,145, 14-inch square $1,495, up to 5 ft of tubing) and installs in about two hours — a fraction of a fixed skylight’s $1,500–$4,000. It floods a dark hallway, closet, or bathroom with daylight and blocks most solar heat gain. It doesn’t open, ventilate, or give you sky to look at. Budget brands (Natural Light $500–$900) undercut Solatube ($750–$1,500) but check the ENERGY STAR certification.
Fixed vs vented skylight — which costs more?
Vented, by the operator and the controls. Fixed runs $1,500–$4,000 installed; manual venting $1,600–$4,700; solar/electric venting $2,400–$5,500. The unit-only gap is smaller (fixed $150–$800 vs venting manual $300–$1,200) — the installed gap widens because powered venting adds wiring and controls. Since April 2026, most VELUX skylights ship bundled with solar-powered room-darkening shades (+$250–$750), which lands in the vented column’s pricing.
How much does it cost to replace an existing skylight?
$800–$2,400 — replacing a skylight in an existing sound opening is a unit swap, not an install: the roof cut, framing, and shaft already exist. The 50% rule applies: if the repair quote exceeds half of a new install, replace. And a leaking unit over 15 years old should be replaced, not repaired — seals and flashing age together.
Can I get a tax credit for a skylight in 2026?
No. Through 2025, §25C covered qualifying skylights at 30% (capped at $600 for the category), but §25C terminated for property placed in service after December 31, 2025 — §25D ended the same date. Some dealers are still advertising the dead credit: shastasunlight.com (verified 2026-11-04) shows “After 30% Tax Credit” prices on tubulars and solar attic fans. Those price columns are wrong for 2026. VELUX itself has said it can no longer certify solar skylights for §25D.
How much does skylight leak repair cost?
Leak repair $225–$800; flashing repair $150–$500; reseal/recaulk $75–$250; cracked glass or dome $300–$800. Interior water damage adds $300–$1,200 if the leak waited. Flashing is the #1 leak source across contractors (one publisher’s “90% from bad flashing” figure is unattributed — treat it as a single-publisher claim). A $400 reseal that waits six months becomes a $1,600 drywall job — get the quote before the stain spreads.
Why do skylights cost more on a flat roof?
The curb. On a pitched roof, a deck-mounted skylight flashes directly into the shingle course — the standard, cheaper install. On a flat roof, the skylight sits on a raised curb (typically 4+ inches) that keeps standing water away from the flashing line, plus extra waterproofing membrane around it. That’s the $1,600–$4,200 pitched vs $2,100–$4,800 flat split (HomeGuide, Oct 2026). When a flat-roof quote runs ~$1,000–$1,500 over a pitched equivalent, that’s curb and waterproofing — not padding.