Homeowners love the natural light and architectural character a skylight adds, but “How much will a skylight cost?” is the first question every client asks. At CountBricks, we answer it with data-driven clarity. Our AI listens to the conversation, pulls live material pricing, runs blueprint takeoffs on the fly, and delivers a line-item estimate that removes the guesswork. Below we break down the factors that drive cost so residential builders and remodelers can set expectations with confidence.
• Fixed skylights are sealed units designed only for daylight. They are typically the most affordable option.
• Venting skylights open manually or via motor for fresh air and moisture control, adding mechanical hardware cost.
• Tubular skylights channel sunlight through a reflective tube; they are smaller and excellent for tight spaces.
• Larger panes mean more square footage of glass, heavier framing members, and higher shipping charges.
• Dual-pane, low-E, or laminated glass boosts energy efficiency and safety but can raise glass unit pricing 10-25 %.
• Conventional framed roofs allow straightforward skylight framing.
• Truss roofs may require an engineer-approved cricket or saddle and special headers.
• Steep pitches increase scaffold or fall-protection setup labor.
• Drywall light shafts with paint are the most common, averaging $10–$14 per square foot of shaft.
• Stained hardwood trim kits elevate aesthetics and material cost.
• Custom plaster coffers or light wells push the premium range.
• Factory flashing kits provide a proven system and predictable labor.
• Custom soldered copper or zinc flashings satisfy historical codes but add specialty trade hours.
• Limited driveway access can require boom lifts or cranes.
• Attic HVAC, electrical, or solar equipment may need relocation before cutting the roof.
Because CountBricks ties into live supplier feeds, numbers below reflect current regional averages for a typical 2' × 4' venting skylight installed on an asphalt-shingle roof:
• Material package (unit + flashing): $850 – $1,250
• Rough-carpentry labor: $450 – $650
• Interior finish and painting: $300 – $500
• Roofing patch and final seal: $250 – $400
Total installed cost: $1,850 – $2,800
High-end projects using automated blinds, rain sensors, or copper flashing can exceed $4,000. Conversely, a small tubular skylight may be completed for $1,200.
1. Real-Time Supplier Pricing: Our platform pings regional suppliers every few minutes, adjusting line items as markets move.
2. Voice-Driven Scope Capture: During the kickoff call you speak naturally while CountBricks AI builds the takeoff in the background, preventing details from slipping through the cracks.
3. Labor Database Tuned for Residential Crews: Hourly rates, productivity factors, and crew mixes are calibrated for typical three-person remodeling teams, not commercial megaprojects.
4. Automated Change-Order Tracking: If the homeowner decides on motorized blinds mid-project, CountBricks recalculates the delta and produces a ready-to-sign change order instantly.
1. On-site Verification – CountBricks Field app syncs drawings so the crew confirms rafter spacing and obstruction clearances.
2. Cut Roof Opening – Carpenters follow the AI-generated layout, ensuring headers are sized per local code.
3. Install Unit & Flashing – Roofing team fits the skylight, adding self-adhered membrane per CountBricks detailing guide.
4. Interior Finish – Drywall or trim carpenters build the light shaft and prep for painting.
5. Final QA – Photographs uploaded to CountBricks cloud confirm warranty compliance.
• Combine multiple skylight installs in one mobilization to dilute fixed overhead.
• Use factory blinds instead of aftermarket shades to reduce double handling.
• Schedule framing and roofing on the same day to avoid weather exposure.
• Opt for low-profile solar vents rather than full mechanical venting if fresh air is the only goal.
Many skylights with integrated solar blinds qualify for federal energy tax credits. CountBricks automatically flags eligible SKUs inside the estimate and prints the credit amount on the homeowner quote, helping you close sales faster.
Whether you are a GC managing multiple home additions or a roofing specialist adding daylight packages, CountBricks accelerates every phase—scope capture, takeoff, quote, invoice, and payment tracking. Explore a live demo at CountBricks.com/services or browse finished daylighting projects at CountBricks.com/portfolio.
Book a free voice estimate session at CountBricks.com/consultation and let our AI show your customers exactly what their skylight will cost—before the first shingle is lifted.
When the Martinez family in Buffalo wanted more natural light in their mid-century ranch, their contractor partnered with CountBricks to keep the budget tight. Here’s how the numbers and the timeline played out.
• Scope: Install two 2' × 4' venting skylights over the kitchen island and one 14" tubular skylight in the hallway
• Roof: 6/12 asphalt-shingle gable with conventional rafters
• Interior Finish: Painted drywall light shafts
1. Materials – $2,730 (skylights, flashing, tubes, fasteners, membranes)
2. Labor – $1,620 (carpentry, roofing, finish)
3. Equipment & Disposal – $320 (scaffolding, waste haul-off)
Total Projected Cost: $4,670
The crew finished in eight hours—30 minutes ahead of the labor allowance. Because CountBricks monitors field progress in real time, the unused hours were automatically removed from the final invoice, saving the homeowner $185 and reinforcing the contractor’s reputation for honesty.
• Batch purchasing skylights with identical RO (rough-opening) dimensions let the crew duplicate cuts and streamline flashing.
• CountBricks AI flagged an attic HVAC duct in the tubular skylight path during the takeoff phase, allowing a minor reroute to be priced and approved before site work began—no mid-day delays.
• Automated photo documentation from the CountBricks mobile app produced a turnkey warranty packet that impressed both the client and their insurance carrier.
If you manage roofing teams or design-build additions, plug CountBricks into your existing workflow. Our API pushes skylight cost data straight into your preferred accounting software, while our blueprint takeoffs integrate with Revit and Archicad files. No more double entry, no more surprise margin erosion.
Schedule a 15-minute discovery call at CountBricks.com/consultation and learn how our skylight module—and the rest of our residential construction toolbox—can sharpen your estimates, accelerate approvals, and keep every project profitable.
