How Much Does It Cost to Install a Skylight in the Seattle Area?
November 22nd, 2024
5 min read
Are you ready to get a skylight but frustrated that you can’t find clear answers on how much it costs to get one? Do you worry that getting a skylight might be too far out of your price range?
The cost to install a new skylight in the Seattle area can range from $500 to over $10,000. This is a wide range because there are a lot of different factors that contribute to the cost. The factor that drives up the price the most in the Seattle area is labor because the cost of living is so high.
At RoofSmart, we install and replace about 1,000 skylights every year. We make sure to have an in-depth conversation about what each customer wants out of their skylight so that we can recommend different types and features that best fit their needs and budget. This ensures that they fully understand the cost before the project even begins.
In this article, you’ll learn about the average cost to reinstall a skylight or put in a new one. You’ll also learn about the factors that impact both the price of a skylight and the cost to install it. By the end, you’ll be able to decide if the cost of getting a skylight fits into your budget and which types of skylights are affordable for you.
What is the average cost to install a skylight for a typical homeowner in the Seattle area?
There are so many factors to consider that it is difficult to give a number that is specific to your situation. But, on average you can expect to pay around $800 to $4,000 for materials and labor (this range is based on what King County residents paid in 2024).
The broader cost range spans from $500 to upwards of $10,000. Anything more than $10,000 is rare, but still possible if you want a lot of skylights with extra features or have specific requests for your skylight job that increase the price.
How much does it cost on average to put in a new skylight?
If you do not yet have a skylight, installing a brand-new one on your roof costs about $5,000. This is definitely a sizeable expense, but keep in mind that this price includes the cost of materials and labor. And, putting a skylight in the roof requires a lot of labor, which makes it an expensive process in the Seattle area.
The installer needs to do all of the following:
- Map out where they need to cut out the hole
- Lay down plastic or tarps in the work zone to protect the inside of your house
- Cut the hole in the ceiling and reframe around it
- Redo the drywall inside
- Cut a hole in the roof deck
- Pull up the roof and prep to install the skylight
- Install the skylight and flashing, making sure to seal it in
- Redo the roof that had to be torn up
- Go back inside to texture and paint the drywall
If you wanted to put in a second skylight at the same time, it would be an additional cost of about $3,000.
How much does it cost on average to replace an existing skylight?
The average cost to replace a fixed skylight in your roof with a new one is $1,800-$3,500. This price includes the cost of labor and materials. A fixed skylight is the standard type that people usually get, but if you want an opening skylight then that will add to the cost (more on this later).
If you already have a contractor at your house doing other work on your roof, then this cost might go down by about $500 to $1,000. Some of the labor costs might merge with the labor costs of the other roof work that’s happening.
How much does switching from a deck-mounted skylight to a curb-mounted skylight cost?
If you already have a deck-mounted skylight, switching to a curb-mounted skylight will only cost about $500. The vast majority of the work is already done, so all you need for this is to frame the curb and put it on the roof.
If you want a more expensive type of wood for the trim, that might bump up the cost, but typically people just choose the standard option.
How much does each type of skylight cost?
The standard fixed skylight costs anywhere from $500 to $1,500 depending on the package you get (just a skylight vs. a kit that includes other materials like flashing).
If you want a curb-mounted skylight, then it’s usually cheaper because you’re likely only buying a skylight. The installer will help you pick the other materials (like wood for the curb or flashing) later.
But, deck-mounted skylights usually come in packages because sometimes it can be easier to buy everything you’ll need to seal in the skylight at once.
Tubular skylights typically cost $500 to $700 (or even a little bit more). Again, this depends on the package you get. It can cost more depending on the brand you buy from and if you purchase accessories with it.
What are the factors that influence how much skylights cost?
There are some features that you can add to your skylights that will increase its overall cost.
Opening skylights
- Hand-crank opening skylight: $1,000 to $3,000
- Electric or solar-powered opening skylight: $2,000 to $6,000
Blinds
- Blinds that open manually: $300 to $400
- Solar-powered blinds: $800 to $1,000
Sizing
The price of a skylight is usually calculated by price per square inch. So, the bigger the skylight is the more it’s going to cost. This also applies to sizes that you custom order, but placing a custom order will also be more expensive than choosing a standard size.
Amount of skylights installed
If you want more than one skylight installed at once, that will reduce the cost a little bit (as opposed to paying for each one to be installed separately), but overall it’s still going to be expensive.
You’ll still be paying for each skylight unless the manufacturer offers you a discount for purchasing a certain amount at once. But, the benefit is that the labor cost will be a little bit lower for doing them all at once rather than one at a time.
What are the factors that influence how much skylight installation costs?
- The steepness and height of the roof: The more difficult the roof is to access and work on, the more expensive the installation will be. This contributes to the labor costs.
- What type of roof material do you have?: Asphalt shingle roofs are fairly easy to tear up and repair during skylight installation. They are also the least expensive to work on.
But if you have a metal roof or a specialty roof like tile, that will make things much more difficult and costly. It’s important to consider if getting a skylight is worth the expense.
- Other work is already being done on the roof: If you’re already redoing or repairing your roof, then this might help bring down some of the costs associated with installing a skylight.
Next Steps to Plan Your Skylight Installation
Getting a skylight installed can add natural light and even increase the value of your home, but it’s essential to know if the cost fits your budget and your needs. Now that you know what goes into the price and why it can vary so much, you can make a more confident decision about the type and number of skylights that fit both your vision and budget.
Understanding the cost can help you decide if the benefits of getting a skylight are worth it to you.
If you are interested in getting a skylight and want to learn more about each different type and the features you can add to it, check out our article “Choosing the Right Skylight: Types, Features, and Benefits Explained”.
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