How Much Does Skylight Repair Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Most skylight repairs cost between an average range of $454 to $1,468 for a total of $929. Some minor repairs cost as little as $150 while complex repairs can climb as high as $2,995. Your total cost depends on the skylight’s size, what type it is, the required parts, and the problem type. Plan ahead and hire a qualified skylight repair pro to control costs and stretch the life of your skylight.

Skylight Repair Cost Factors

Several factors will impact the final cost of replacing a skylight, including the type and size of the skylight, the slope or pitch of the roof, the height and accessibility for your local skylight installation professionals, and any additional features you choose to add.

Skylight Type

The style of skylight you pick can push your price above or below the average. There are three common types of skylights: fixed, tubular, and ventilating.

Fixed Skylight: Fixed skylights are the classic option, flooding rooms with overhead sunlight. Fixed skylights cost between $350 and $900 to install, depending on their size.

Tubular Skylight: Tubular skylights are less expensive than other styles because the reflective tube, rather than a full window, channels the light. Tubular skylights are small tubes made of reflective metal that act as a funnel for sunlight entering your home. They cost between $300 to $500.

Ventilating Skylight: Ventilating skylights resemble fixed units but swing open to allow fresh air to enter indoors. Ventilating skylights are the most expensive option, at $500 to $1,200.

Size

Bigger skylights cost more up front and can leak energy, so sticking with a modest size often makes financial sense.

Slope or Pitch

Your roof’s slope plays a significant role in skylight pricing, unlike standard window jobs. Most skylights are designed to be installed on roofs with a pitch (also called slope) of 15% to 60%. If your roof has a steeper slope than that, you can expect to pay more for skylight installation.

Height and Accessibility

Hard-to-reach skylights—high ceilings or steep roofs—drive up labor costs. Skylights are more challenging to access in ceilings that are higher than one story, or if fixtures (such as a bathtub) obstruct the work area.

If your skylight is difficult to access, you can expect to pay up to 30% more in labor costs for both repairs and replacements. This is because difficult-to-access skylights take more time to reach and require enhanced safety precautions to be worked on safely.

Additional Features

Extras like switching to a ventilating model, ordering a custom shape, or adding remote-controlled blinds all raise your skylight repair costs. These are appealing features, but you should expect to pay more for any skylight add-ons.

Insurance

Check your homeowners' insurance, as some policies cover skylight leaks, which can reduce your costs, while others may increase premiums once a new unit is installed. Consult with your insurance agent before scheduling work.

Labor

Skylight repair pros charge $30 to $90 per hour for skylight work. Rates climb for custom shapes, oversized units, or tricky roof access. Depending on the project, you may also need to hire a roofing expert to accommodate your roof around the skylight.

Permits

Local codes may require a permit for skylight work, costing $50 to $250.

Skylight Repair Cost by Part

It’s possible that only certain parts of your skylight need replacing, and other parts can stay. Replacing any one part of a skylight is almost always cheaper than a complete new installation, but some parts still cost significantly more than others.

Glass

Window glass replacement costs vary greatly depending on the choices you make, and the same is true for skylights. Skylight glass replacement costs range between $300 and $1,500. This price can increase if you’re using special glass types. For example, energy-efficient smart glass costs much more than a standard double-pane window.

If your skylight is very hard to access, or if the entire unit must be removed to replace the glass, this part can become even more expensive to replace.

Motor

Depending on the brand, size, and complexity, you can expect to pay between $150 and $1,000 to replace the skylight motor. This price can vary depending on the type of skylight you have. For example, solar-powered motors for ventilating skylights are significantly more expensive compared to other, more common skylight motors.

Hand-Operated Mechanism

For a broken handcrank, you can expect to pay a total of between $50 and $ 400 to replace a skylight frame without replacing the entire unit. More often, a damaged or leaky frame will be repaired instead. This consists of sealing, caulking, or patching damaged sections. In some cases, your skylight repair pro might recommend replacing parts of the frame, but this is less common. 

Skylight frame repairs vary by damage type. Repairs for frame corrosion cost between $150 and $600, while repairing a cracked frame costs between $200 and $600.

Flashing

Flashing is a more durable (and expensive) alternative to standard weatherstripping. With flashing, a combination of caulking, tape, and sometimes specialized foam is used to completely seal the edges of your skylight. Installing or replacing flashing costs between $300 and $500.

Skylight Repair Cost by Problem

Depending on the issue you’re dealing with, the cost to repair your skylight can vary greatly. The two most common skylight problems are leaks and cracked glass.

Leaks

Leaking is the most common problem faced by homeowners with skylights. A leaky skylight is often a sign of failing sealant, weatherstripping, or flashing. It can also cause frame damage over time. Most skylight leak repair projects can be completed for between $50 and $700, depending on the extent of the problem.

Cracked Glass

Another common problem is cracked glass in your skylight, which might happen from falling tree branches or other debris. Not only does this let water into your home every time it rains, but it also allows air to escape from inside, reducing energy efficiency. While a professional can quickly patch up the crack with caulk and tape, this is a temporary solution. Ultimately, you’ll need to pay for skylight glass repair. Repairs for cracked skylight glass cost between $300 and $1,500.

Skylight Repair vs. Replacement

Skylight repairs cost between an average range of $454 to $1,468. However, repair costs can be as low as $150 or as high as $2,995, depending on the nature and extent of the issue. If your skylight expert says the unit can be repaired relatively simply, it’s a good idea to go ahead with fixing your skylight rather than paying thousands for an all-new one.

However, there are some situations where skylight replacement is the better option. If the frame is starting to give way, it’s only a matter of time before other parts of the skylight become damaged, presenting a danger to your home and the people in it. If you’re noticing mold between the panes, persistent leaks or drafts, or if the entire unit has to be removed from the roof to replace certain parts, it might be worth making the investment in a new skylight instead of paying for ongoing repairs.

Does Skylight Repair Increase Home Value?

Assuming they’re correctly installed, skylights can add value to your home. Not only do skylights make interiors more beautiful with the addition of natural light, but they can also reduce energy bills in the daytime—more sunlight means less need for artificial lights.

Of course, a skylight must be properly oriented to save more energy than it costs. If your skylight is facing east, it will catch the sun in the morning to warm the house throughout the day. If it faces west, it will get sunlight during the afternoon and evening, heating the home during the night. If you position it southwards, you’ll get sunshine virtually all day, which can save a lot of money on heating, but might be uncomfortable in the warmer months without a shade.

To boost your home’s value with a skylight, carefully consider the climate you live in and where it makes the most sense to install the unit. Skylight pros often recommend investing in high-quality, energy-efficient glass panes to reduce heat leaking through the skylight.

Budgeting for Skylight Repair

Skylight replacement is relatively inexpensive, but it can still add up. Add on the fact that a broken skylight must be repaired immediately, and it’s clear to see why this project can sometimes be a financial strain. Here are a few tips to reduce the cost of replacing a skylight:

• If you plan to replace or redo your roof, consider installing new skylights at the same time, as this will reduce labor costs.

• Be proactive about replacing old skylights—not only are they at risk of failing, but they could also be costing you extra money on your utility bills.

• Keep skylight size to a minimum to reduce material and labor costs, as well as to cut back on energy waste.

• Consider installing a hand-powered mechanism over a more expensive motor to control a skylight shade.

• Stick with standard skylight shapes and sizes whenever possible to reduce costs.

DIY vs. Hiring a Skylight Pro

DIY skylight fixes tempt handy homeowners with roof experience and the right safety gear. However, it demands moderate to advanced skills, especially when handling fragile glass and complex roof structures. Mistakes can lead to additional damage, water intrusion, or injury. Hiring a skylight repair professional ensures correct installation, code compliance, and reliable warranties.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.