How much does a Skylight cost?

Skylights are very popular in Australia. They can change the look and feel of a room, add a beautiful ambience, bathe it in natural light and make it both bright and cosy simultaneously. Plus, they can provide ventilation in stuffy kitchens or bathrooms. Skylights are available in a variety of styles, sizes and shapes. Four common types are also flat, domed, vented and fixed skylights. Two factors that impact the skylight people choose is what the skylights cost to buy and install.

 

How Much Does A Skylight Cost?

The cost of skylights can vary widely depending on their type, style and size.  Property owners commonly pay between $300 and $1,200 per skylight. Bespoke skylights cost even more. Where in Australia, your property is located also impacts skylight prices. 

 

Skylight Costs Across Australia

Here are some examples of how much a skylight can cost you in your city. Keep in mind that the prices will fluctuate depending on several factors from the size of your skylight to the complexity of the design.

City	Average Skylight Costs
Sydney	$250 – $2,000
Melbourne	$100 – $1,700
Brisbane	$100 – $1,700
Canberra	$100 – $1,700
Perth	$100 – $1,700
Darwin	$200 – $4,000
Hobart	$200 – $4,000
Adelaide	$200 – $4,000

 

Skylight Installation Costs

Installing skylights can cost between $45 and approximately $70 per hour. In Queensland, a standard skylight installation costs an average of $45 an hour. Electricians in Victoria and Western Australia usually charge between $50 and $55 per hour. The price shoots up in New South Wales to $70 an hour.

Several factors impact the cost of a skylight. Here’s how the type, features, size, location and complexity of your skylight can influence your final price.

The Type of Skylight

 There are many different types of skylights used in Australia. They come in various styles and have a wide variety of features. Some common types of skylights are:

1. Fixed Skylights
2. Ventilating Skylights
3. Tubular Skylights
4. Tilt Window Skylights
5. Pyramid Skylights
6. Dome Skylights
7. Retractable Skylights

There’s a nearly endless assortment of skylight options in the Australia market. However, there are three categories into which they are roughly grouped. They are:

1. Roof Windows
2. Original Skylights
3. Tubular Skylights

Features That Affect Skylight Cost

Skylights also have a wide variety of features that can affect their cost. Some of those features are:

1. Electric Opening Ventilating Skylights
2. Manual Control Rod
3. Insect Screen
4. Solar-Powered Ventilating Skylight
5. Impact Glazing

Size of the Skylight

Skylights are available in a wide range of sizes. Skylights that are 25cm to 40cm in diameter are cheaper and easier to install because it is easy for them to fit between the rafters and ceiling joists in your roof. You can have one installed for as little as $120. Large skylights may require complex structural modifications on your roof for them to be installed safely and correctly. This makes installing large skylights more expensive, and the process can cost $850 to $1,200.

Location

The location on your roof you want a skylight installed also impacts the installation cost. If the area is slightly inclined and easily accessed, installing the skylight could cost between $30 and $45 an hour. However, if the area on the roof where you want the technician to install the skylight is very steep and challenging to reach and work, you could end up paying $85 or more an hour to have the installation done.

Replacement Or Brand New?

Skylight replacement cost a lot less than installing a brand new one. With the replacement, the holes and equipment are already in place, and all the installer has to do is take out the old one and put in the replacement. This type of work can cost $30 to $45 an hour.

Installing a brand-new skylight is a lot more complicated and requires advanced tools and techniques and a lot of harder work. This can make installation costs go up to $85 or $95 per hour.

Complexity of Design

Another factor that can increase the cost of installing a skylight is the complexity of its design. While a simple tubular skylight may cost $300 to install and a pyramid skylight cost just over $200, a motorized, retractable, solar-powered skylight can easily cost between $600 or more to install.

The cost of skylights can vary dramatically depending on the type that you choose and the features that it has. Here are some examples of skylight prices:

1. Tubular Skylight: Available for as low as $150 to $350
2. Fixed Skylight: An inexpensive fixed skylight can range in price from $260 to $400.
3. Ventilated Skylights: These can cost $650 to $900 or more.
4. Retractable Skylights: Prices range from $600 to $1,000 for basic models
5. Pyramid Skylights: A basic 1-metre square pyramid skylight starts at $210
6. Dome Skylight: This type of skylight can cost from $350 to $1,200 depending on its features

Installing skylights in your home or business can provide you with a wide range of significant and valuable benefits. They include:

Natural Light

• Skylights let in natural light. Some benefits of natural light include:
• Improves people’s well-being
• Provides a physical and psychological boost
• Brings new life into any room
• Helps to eliminate mould and mildew
• Increases serotonin levels

Fresh Air

The fresh air skylight let into a room also helps. Some of its benefits are:

• Keeps rooms cooler
• Improves air quality
• Lightens the atmosphere
• Increases oxygen concentration
• Flushes out unpleasant doors

Better Ventilation

Better ventilation is one reason to agree to the higher retractable skylight cost. Better ventilation can help in many ways. They include:

• Helps remove germs, dander and dust mites
• Improves allergic and respiratory reactions
• Vents out indoor air that’s too hot
• Act like a passive air conditioner
• Freshens indoor air after cooking or cleaning
• Creates a calming atmosphere

Saving On Energy Costs

The savings you will get on energy bills will help you quickly pay for the new skylight cost. Skylights lower energy costs by:

• Reducing dependence on artificial lighting
• Lowering heating bills during cooler months
• Helping to cool rooms through cross ventilation in summer
• Makes properties more energy efficient
  

  Two square skylights. | Source: AYKM Development Pty Ltd

Always have skylights professionally installed.  They have the training and expertise to ensure the skylight will be optimally placed, flashing will be correctly installed, and it will also be waterproof. When hiring a professional, make sure they can advise you on proper skylight placement and can install them at a time that’s convenient for you. 

 

How To Create An Accurate Estimate

• Get at least three price quotes
• Ask friends and relatives what they paid
• Contact trade organizations for information on fair pricing

 

Licensing and Qualifications

• Ask to see professional qualifications
• Must have completed a skylight installation certification program
• Must be licensed and insured
• Must have experience

 

How to Save Money Hiring a Skylight Installer

Hiring an experienced installer is your best bet to saving money and avoiding having to pay for repairs or hire another installer to get the job done correctly.

 

* The cost data is based on Oneflare and third-party sources