Estimate skylight install or replacement — fixed, vented, solar, sun-tunnel. Pick model, light-shaft scope, and electrical. 2026 data; not a contractor bid.
| Item | Quantity | Estimated range |
|---|
Got a contractor quote? Compare it to the planning range.
What this is: a planning-range skylight calculator informed by Velux / Fakro / Sun-Tek manufacturer pricing, HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor, Homewyse, and licensed cost-estimating references.
Labor is modeled from per-unit installed rates with a crew-rate sanity check ($75-$140/crew-hr loaded billing rate), informed by BLS OEWS 47-2031 (Carpenters) and 47-2181 (Roofers).
Section 25D credit: solar-powered venting skylights and motorized solar shades qualified for the federal Section 25D residential clean-energy credit for property placed in service on or before December 31, 2025. Projects placed in service in 2026 generally do not qualify under current IRS guidance — verify on IRS Form 5695 and the IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit page before relying on it.
Last updated: May 2026. Full methodology →
| Scope | Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Sun tunnel (10-14 in) | $700-$1,800 | 2-4 hours |
| Fixed skylight (small) | $1,000-$2,500 | 1 day |
| Fixed skylight (large) | $1,500-$3,500 | 1-2 days |
| Manual-venting skylight | $1,800-$5,000 | 1-2 days |
| Solar-vented skylight (gross) | $2,500-$6,500 | 1-2 days |
| Replace existing skylight | $1,500-$4,000 | 1 day |
A fixed skylight installed in an asphalt-shingle roof runs $1,200-$3,500 in 2026. Vented manual: $1,800-$5,000. Solar-powered venting: $2,500-$6,500 (the federal Section 25D credit applied to property placed in service on or before December 31, 2025; 2026 installs generally do not qualify — verify on IRS Form 5695). Sun tunnels (tubular): $700-$1,800. Add $500-$2,000 for a light shaft if there's an attic above.
Solar-powered venting skylights and motorized solar shades qualified for the federal Section 25D residential clean-energy credit for property placed in service on or before December 31, 2025; 2026 installs generally do not qualify under current IRS guidance — verify on IRS Form 5695. Standard fixed and manual-vented skylights were not eligible.
Properly flashed skylights from major manufacturers (Velux, Fakro, Sun-Tek) carry 10-yr no-leak warranties. Leaks come from improper flashing, especially around the curb and where the upper apron meets the roof. Use the manufacturer flashing kit, not generic step flashing.
Skylights ($1,200-$6,500) need a 2x4 ft+ opening cut, framed, and flashed; they daylight a room with a view. Sun tunnels ($700-$1,800) use a 10-14 in reflective tube to bring daylight to closets, hallways, or interior bathrooms with no real ceiling cut. Tunnels install in 2-3 hours; skylights take a day or two.
No, for the actual roof penetration. Manufacturer warranties typically void if not pro-installed, and a leak inside the roof can cause $5k+ damage. Sun tunnel kits are pro-installed too.
