How much does it cost to repair a skylight?

One of the most frustrating problems in the average roof is the appearance of a serious leak around a professionally installed skylight. This is because such a leak causes water damage to the roof, the attic space, the materials in the ceiling, insulation, and the interior of the home beneath the leak. This is the reason that professional installation is often vitally important when a new skylight is purchased.

When it needs to be repaired after a leak has developed, it is best for the homeowner to stick with professional assistance to have someone knowledgeable inspect the site for a comprehensive list of damages and needed repairs. Among the first things that will be required is the replacement of the flashing that surrounds the window and is meant to prevent leaking.

According to HomeInspectorLocator.com the average price to simply reflash a skylight is between $300 and $500. For the purpose of this discussion we will take a look at the costs and requirements for performing a full repair on a skylight. It is important to note that there are three common types of lights - tubular, fixed, and vented - and these may have a few different requirements which we will look at as well.

Cost breakdown

Typical costs include:

• Fixed skylights - this likely to be the simplest type of skylight to mend. Why? Usually it is simply a matter of a problem with the flashing ¹ installed around the exterior of the window. This will mean that the $300 to $500 repair is the most likely, though it is also going to include the costs of any interior damages too. Many modern fixed skylights come with pre-built flashing ¹ that the roofer will not have to manufacture on the site but will instead just install according to the manufacturer's instructions, and this is probably the wisest all around purchase;

• Vented skylights - these are the next in line where simplicity is concerned. Though these appear as either electric or remote control models and will demand the services of an electrician as well as a carpenter for installation and repair, they too will have only a limited amount of possible damage or trouble. Consider that most will be mounted in much the same way as the fixed varieties and will demand the same repairs (at the $300 to $500 rate). Where additional fees appear is in the need for motor replacement or rewiring due to water damage. Most electricians will require between $70 and $90 per hour for such services; and

• Tubular skylights - this is a place where serious water damage can occur because of the underlying structure required for this style of skylight. Usually a framework and installation of sheetrock ² is going to be used for this type, and when water damage occurs it is going to normally mean that all of the original installation is removed and replaced along with the work done on the roof. This is going to mean that far more than $500 is usually required for such a repair.

Enhancement and improvement costs

• Expansions - many homeowners decide expand or enlarge the size of their skylights at the time a leak appears, and the wisest way to do this is lengthwise rather than widthwise as this would demand reinforcement in the attic space; and

• Blinds or shades - Because the average costs for blinds in a skylight average between $200 and $400 each, the need to replace any damaged or destroyed by a leak will hold at the same price.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Flashing: Pieces of sheet metal used on roofs to cover joints, such as where the roof meets the wall, or around a chimney or skylight, to protect them and prevent water leaking through

² : A solid panel made of gypsum plaster with thick paper on both sides. It is used in most modern homes to construct walls and ceilings