How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Skylight?

A common homeowner frustration is the appearance of a serious leak around a professionally installed skylight. Even a small leak can cause water damage to the roof, the attic space, the materials in the ceiling, insulation, and the interior of the home beneath the leak. For this reason, when a leak is evident near a skylight, professional intervention is key.

The average cost to repair a skylight ranges between $300-$500, with the average homeowner spending around $400flashing replacement or seal repair​.

Skylight Repair Cost

Leaking Skylight Repair Cost

A leaking skylight can present itself after any rainy day, or after a big storm. In most cases, repair requires the contractor to address common leaking skylight causes, including flashing and seal issues. Replacement of the flashing ranges from $300-$500, and the seal and skylight caulking ¹ falls in the same range. When the skylight seal is compromised, skylight condensation can contribute to moisture problems. By hiring a professional to complete both repairs at once, homeowners can reduce the travel and labor involved and get the total project done for $400-$700.

There may be some temporary fixes for leaking skylights, such as recaulking or using roofing cement, but it’s important to note that working around or undoing these fixes may increase the cost of professional repair when they’re able to get to the job.

Skylight Repair Cost by Type of Repair

The total cost to repair a skylight will range between $300 for minor flashing ² repair and $2,000 for removal of the existing skylight and replacement with a large, high-end skylight, including both materials and labor. The type of repair will directly influence the cost of the total project. This table provides more information on the cost of various repairs commonly needed to keep skylights in working order and prevent leaks that damage the home.

Skylight Motor Repair Cost

There are three general levels of motor repair: simple battery replacement for around $5, minor parts replacement, which can range from $100 to $300, or total skylight motor replacement ranging from $150-$500.

Skylight Flashing Repair Cost

In some cases, contractors can seal holes or gaps in the flashing ² using roofing cement rather than replacing the flashing. If the contractor is able to repair the flashing without replacing it, the average cost is $50-$150.

Skylight Dome Repair Cost

In some cases, cracked skylight domes can be repaired temporarily with silicone caulking ¹ and weather tape. While this fix isn’t ideal or permanent, it will stop a leak and prevent further water damage to the roof, ceiling, or interior of the home until the dome can be replaced. The average price for dome repair, although many contractors may not offer this service, is $100-$200.

Skylight Dome Replacement Cost

Skylight dome replacement cost ranges from $90-$110. For this reason, many homeowners choose to replace the dome rather than replacing the whole skylight as the project is affordable. If skylight gasket ³ replacement is needed, it increases the cost of the total project to $200-$300 on average.

Skylight Corroding Frame (frame Repair) Cost

Like all windows, the frame of a skylight corrodes over time and will need to be replaced once it’s reached the end of its lifespan (expected to be at least 20 years). The cost to repair the frame depends on the severity of the damage and the size of the skylight, ranging from as little as $150 for minor damage or a small frame, to as much as $600 for extensive damage or a large frame.

Skylight Flashing Replacement Cost

Replacement of the flashing ² on a skylight ranges from $300-$500 including materials and labor. Reflashing a skylight is one of the most common repairs, correcting the most common leaks.

Skylight Seal Repair Cost

A proper seal is important as it keeps the elements - heat, cold, and precipitation - out of the home. When the seal deteriorates, energy costs can increase or damage to the roof and ceiling around the skylight and the interior home beneath the skylight can occur. Skylight sealing or skylight seal replacement alone costs $300-$500, but typically also requires replacement of the metal flashing ⁴ around the skylight, which ranges from $300-$500 and can help prevent skylight heat loss. Skylight weather stripping might also be used in colder climates. The total project if both services are completed together can range from $400-$700.

Skylight Glass Repair Cost

While many homeowners seek out glass replacement or cracked skylight repair, a broken or cracked skylight window requires replacement of the whole skylight. Replacing a skylight ranges from $400 to $1,700, with larger, vented skylights coming in at the upper end of that range. If the glass is in good shape, but skylight glass seal repair is needed, it’ll cost around $300-$500.

Labor Costs to Repair a Skylight

Skylight work should generally be done by a professional to prevent further leaks and damage to the roof, rafters, and home beneath the skylight. Roofing contractors and handymen can be hired to repair or replace a skylight, charging an average of $65 per hour for labor. It’s important to keep in mind that contractors typically charge no less than one hour of labor and may need to come more than once. If you call a repairman with concerns about a leaky skylight, they’ll likely come to take a look and, if the repair is minor, make the repairs during the same visit. However, if new flashing ², dome, motor, skylight, or other major parts are needed, they may need to order parts and schedule the repairs for another day.

Cost Factors to Repair a Skylight

Factors that will influence the cost of any skylight repair include:

• Type of skylight. Fixed skylights are the least expensive to replace, around $400, while vented skylights are more expensive, costing up to $1,700 to replace.
• Size of the opening, glass, and frame. The cost of a skylight increases as the size increases, and custom sizes will be more expensive than standard sizes in any model.
• Accessibility of the skylight. If the skylight is difficult to access either on the interior or exterior the home, the homeowner could see an increase in repair costs of up to 30%.
• Location of the leak. If the leak is caused by an aged skylight that needs to be completely replaced, for example, the fix will be more expensive than if the leak is caused by damaged flashing ² or a damaged seal.
• Roof pitch. Any time roof pitch exceeds 60%, repair costs increase due to the need for custom materials and equipment.
• Number of services the contractor is able to complete at once. Homeowners can save up to 20% if multiple repairs are completed at once rather than in several visits.

Emergency Skylight Repairs

Homeowners may need to request an urgent visit from a contractor if a significant volume of water is leaking into the home through a skylight over a weekend or holiday. Emergency fees range from $100-$300, and do not include the cost of any repairs completed.

Skylight Replacement Cost

In some cases, the skylight needs to be replaced in its entirety. This occurs when the glass is broken, the skylight can’t be repaired, or in some cases, when the motor needs to be replaced and it’s more cost-effective to replace the whole skylight. The average cost to have the existing skylight removed is around $225 including materials and labor. The replacement skylight with installation ranges from around $400 for a fixed skylight, to over $1,700 for a venting flush-mount laminated glass skylight.

Skylight Maintenance

Periodic skylight maintenance can help prevent problems with the skylight, as well as catch wear and tear early, before any damage to the home occurs. Maintaining a skylight consists of two components: cleaning and inspecting. Window cleaners can be hired to clean the interior and exterior glass with a mild detergent seasonally and will have the right equipment to safely scale the roof. Sealant inspections should be done three months after initial installation and then every 12 months thereafter. These are usually incorporated into a roof inspection, which ranges from $100-$600. From the interior of the home, homeowners should monitor the site for problems like water stains in the sheetrock ⁵ surrounding the skylight or standing water beneath the skylight.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• In most jurisdictions, a permit is required to replace an existing skylight with a larger one, but repairing or replacing a skylight without making any cuts into the roof may not require a permit.
• While many homeowners elect to repair or replace their skylights without a professional, leaks and damage are more common following DIY skylight work. Hiring a professional is the best route whenever possible. Most importantly, homeowners should review their insurance policies to ensure that damage resulting from DIY projects will be covered.
• Skylight repair and replacement are rarely covered by insurance as these projects fall into the same category as window replacement. If skylight damage occurs suddenly, however—like in the course of a severe weather event—and creates an emergency in the home, insurance coverage may kick in.
• Many skylights are accompanied by a manufacturer warranty; homeowners can often save money by checking into the warranty before scheduling repairs
• Mobile home skylight repair is a common problem, too. Just like skylights in stick-built homes, skylights in mobile homes can be repaired, replaced, or removed per the homeowner’s request. Mobile home skylight replacement ranges from $200 for a fixed skylight, to $700 for a ventilating skylight.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Caulking: A chemical sealant used to fill in and seal gaps where two materials join, for example, the tub and tile, to create a watertight and airtight seal. The term "caulking" is also used to refer to the process of applying this type of sealant

² 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

⁴ Metal flashing: A thin sheet of metal used around the edges and junctions of the roofing material,such as around a chimney or vent, to prevent water from entering the structure through those joints

⁵ Sheetrock: Type of plasterboard, commonly used to build walls and ceilings, composed of gypsum that is layered between sheets of heavy paper