If your skylight is staining the drywall, fogging between panes, or yellowing into a milky dome, you’re past the repair window. Replacement is the move. Here’s what it actually costs to swap one out in San Diego County in 2026, with real pricing by unit type, brand, and complexity.
TL;DR
A like-for-like skylight replacement in San Diego runs $1,800 to $4,500 installed. That’s pulling the old unit, reusing the existing roof opening, installing a new same-size unit with a manufacturer flashing kit, and finishing the interior.
Add cost for:
- Custom sizing or upgraded unit (bigger, low-E glass, impact-rated): +$500 to $2,500
- Powered or electric venting (motor, rain sensor, switch wiring): +$800 to $2,000
- Deck repair or drywall work (rotted sheathing, damaged shaft): +$300 to $1,500
- Curb build or tile work on Spanish-tile roofs: +$400 to $1,200
The flashing kit is the single most important line item on the invoice. A $400 unit with a $90 flashing kit installed correctly will outlast a $1,200 unit with a hand-formed flashing job every single time.
When to replace vs. repair a skylight
Not every leaky skylight needs a full replacement. The decision usually comes down to age, type, and what’s actually failing.
Replace when:
- The unit is more than 20 years old (most original 70s and 80s dome skylights in Clairemont, La Mesa, and Mira Mesa are at or past end-of-life)
- The glazing is fogged, cracked, yellowed, or hazed (seal failure on dual-pane units)
- You’ve had two or more leak repairs and it’s still leaking
- The frame is bent, cracked acrylic, or rotted wood
- You’re already replacing the roof (do it at the same time, always)
Repair when:
- The unit is under 15 years old
- The leak is at the flashing, not the unit itself
- The glazing is intact and the seal is still holding
- It’s a Velux, Fakro, or Sun-Tek that’s still under warranty
If you’re not sure which camp you’re in, our guide on skylight leak repair in San Diego walks through how to diagnose the source. For homes still in the planning phase on a brand-new opening, see skylight installation cost in San Diego.
Cost by skylight type (2026 San Diego pricing)
The biggest variable in your quote is the type of unit going back in. Here’s what we’re seeing on real invoices this year.
| Skylight type | Unit cost | Installed cost (like-for-like) |
|---|---|---|
| Deck-mount fixed (24x46) | $350-$700 | $1,800-$2,800 |
| Deck-mount venting (manual) | $550-$1,100 | $2,400-$3,600 |
| Deck-mount venting (electric/solar) | $900-$1,800 | $3,200-$4,800 |
| Curb-mount fixed | $300-$650 | $1,700-$2,700 |
| Curb-mount venting | $500-$1,000 | $2,300-$3,500 |
| Tubular (10-14 inch) | $250-$500 | $900-$1,800 |
| Custom size or custom shape | $1,200-$3,500+ | $3,500-$7,500+ |
| Impact-rated or hurricane glass | +$300-$800 | varies |
A few notes on the categories.
Deck-mount vs. curb-mount. Deck-mount units sit flush against the roof deck with their own integrated flashing. They look cleaner, leak less, and are the modern standard. Curb-mount units sit on top of a built-up wood curb (the old way). If your existing skylight is on a curb, you can either reuse the curb with a new curb-mount unit or rebuild the opening for a deck-mount. Switching from curb to deck adds about $400 to the job but usually pays back in a tighter, longer-lasting install.
Glass vs. acrylic. Modern Velux and Fakro deck-mount units use tempered laminated glass with a low-E coating. Acrylic dome skylights (the bubble-shaped ones from the 70s and 80s) yellow under UV, scratch easily, and lose their seal. We don’t install new acrylic domes. If you have one now, this is your sign.
Tubular skylights. Solatube and similar tubular units are a different animal. They’re cheap to swap because they don’t require a deck cut, just a re-flash and a new dome. If your tubular unit is leaking or hazed, replacement is usually under $1,800 installed.
Velux vs. Fakro vs. Sun-Tek vs. custom
The brand matters more than people think. Here’s the honest breakdown.
| Brand | Strengths | Trade-offs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Velux | Industry standard, 10-year no-leak warranty, broad accessory ecosystem (blinds, rain sensors, smart home), best flashing kits | Premium price, longer lead times on custom sizes | Most San Diego homes, especially when you want a quality-and-resale play |
| Fakro | Excellent quality, often $100-$300 cheaper than equivalent Velux, strong venting options | Smaller dealer network, fewer accessories | Cost-conscious owners who still want a top-tier unit |
| Sun-Tek | Made in Florida, affordable, decent for fixed deck-mount applications | Shorter warranty, thinner accessory line, fewer size options | Tight budgets, rental properties, simple fixed installs |
| Custom (local fab) | Any size, any shape, mid-century modern aesthetics | $3,000+ unit cost, no manufacturer warranty, all-or-nothing on flashing detail | Mission Hills and Hillcrest mid-century homes with original custom units that can’t be replaced off-the-shelf |
For mid-century moderns in Mission Hills, Hillcrest, and Kensington, you’re often dealing with custom-sized units that have no off-the-shelf equivalent. The two paths are: rebuild the opening to fit a standard Velux (cheapest, but changes the architectural look), or have a local glass shop fabricate a custom unit (preserves the look, costs roughly 2x).
For 70s and 80s ranch homes in Clairemont, La Mesa, Mira Mesa, and Allied Gardens, the original dome skylights are almost always standard 22x46 or 24x46 openings. A Velux deck-mount drops in cleanly with a like-for-like flashing kit and looks like it belongs.
What’s actually included in a skylight replacement
When you read a quote, this is what should be in scope. If any of these line items are missing, ask.
- Removal and disposal of the old unit. Including any old curb, sealants, and roofing material around the opening.
- Deck inspection and repair. Pulling an old skylight exposes the sheathing around the opening. If rot, soft decking, or water-damaged framing turns up, that gets fixed before the new unit goes in. Budget $200 to $1,500 depending on what’s behind the dome. For older roofs where damage is suspected before pulling the unit, a drone roof inspection can document condition without anyone walking the tile.
- New manufacturer flashing kit. This is the single most critical piece. Velux and Fakro both sell flashing kits engineered for the exact roof type (asphalt shingle, low-profile tile, high-profile tile, metal, flat). Hand-formed flashing on a skylight is the number-one cause of leaks we re-fix on someone else’s work.
- New unit install. Set, fasten, seal per manufacturer specs.
- Underlayment integration. The flashing kit ties into the existing roof underlayment. On older roofs with brittle underlayment, this sometimes means a small underlayment patch.
- Interior trim and shaft work. The light shaft between the roof and the ceiling. If the old shaft was insulated badly or has water-damaged drywall, that gets repaired.
- Drywall and paint touch-up. Most quotes include patching the drywall around the interior opening. Full repaint of the room is usually extra.
- Permit and inspection. See below.
- Cleanup and haul-off. Including any roofing debris around the opening.
If a contractor quotes you “$1,200 to swap your skylight” and the line item is one sentence long, that’s a tell. Walk away.
Why old dome skylights almost always need replacement, not repair
San Diego has tens of thousands of acrylic dome skylights from the 70s and 80s. We get calls every week from owners who want them patched. Here’s why we almost always recommend replacement instead.
- The acrylic itself is failing. UV breaks down acrylic over 20-30 years. You’ll see yellowing, hazing, micro-cracks, and brittle edges. You can’t seal a dome that’s structurally compromised.
- The dual-pane seal is gone. If you see condensation or fog between the two layers, the seal has failed. There’s no field repair for this. The unit is done.
- The flashing is original. Original flashing on a 40-year-old dome is almost always brittle, lifted at the edges, and held together by layers of caulk and tar. Patching it buys you a season, maybe two.
- The curb is wood. Most 70s and 80s skylights sit on a built-up wood curb. After 40 years of San Diego sun and the occasional sideways rainstorm, that curb is usually soft or rotted at the corners. A new deck-mount unit with proper flashing eliminates the curb entirely.
If you’re chasing a leak on an original dome and you’re already paying $400-$800 per repair attempt, you’re better off putting that money toward replacement. Our breakdown of what causes roof leaks in San Diego homes covers the diagnostic flow if you’re not sure where the water’s actually coming from.
Title 24 efficiency requirements for new skylights
California’s Title 24 energy code applies any time you replace a skylight, not just on new construction. The current code requires skylights to meet minimum U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) ratings.
- U-factor measures how well the unit insulates. Lower is better. Current Title 24 requires U-factor of 0.55 or lower for most San Diego climate zones.
- SHGC measures how much solar heat the unit lets in. Lower is better for cooling-dominated climates like ours. Title 24 typically requires SHGC of 0.30 or lower.
In practical terms, this means single-pane and old acrylic dome skylights can’t be installed new under code. You need dual-pane, low-E glass to pass inspection. Most Velux and Fakro deck-mount units meet or exceed Title 24 by default. If you’re going custom-fabricated, confirm the glass spec with your fabricator before ordering.
For the bigger picture on how Title 24 affects your roof and openings, see our cool roof Title 24 guide for San Diego.
Tax credits for energy-efficient skylights
ENERGY STAR-certified skylights used to qualify for the federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit under section 25C of the tax code (30% of unit cost, capped at $600 per year for windows and skylights combined). That credit expired for projects placed in service after December 31, 2025, so a 2026 skylight install doesn’t qualify. If a contractor’s 2026 quote leans on a federal tax credit to make the price work, ask them to put the program name in writing.
If your skylight went in by December 31, 2025, and you haven’t filed that year’s return yet:
- The credit covered the unit and its installation hardware, not the labor to install it. Ask your contractor for an itemized invoice.
- The unit had to be ENERGY STAR certified for your climate zone (most of San Diego County is Zone 2, South-Central).
- Keep the manufacturer’s certification statement and the receipt, and file IRS Form 5695 with that year’s return.
- The credit is non-refundable, so you need tax liability to use it.
Most current Velux and Fakro deck-mount units with low-E glass were on the qualifying lists. Custom-fabricated units usually weren’t, since they’re not third-party certified.
Permit requirements in San Diego County
For a like-for-like skylight replacement (same size, same location, same opening), most San Diego County jurisdictions don’t require a separate permit if it’s part of routine maintenance. Check with your local jurisdiction:
- City of San Diego and most county areas treat like-for-like replacement as exempt
- Coastal Commission zones (parts of Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar) may require additional review for any roof penetration changes
- HOA-governed neighborhoods (Carmel Valley, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Bernardo) often require board approval
You always need a permit when:
- You’re changing the size of the opening (enlarging, adding new, or removing entirely)
- You’re adding electrical work (powered venting, rain sensor wiring)
- The replacement is part of a re-roof that requires a permit
- The building department considers your home historic
Permit fees in San Diego typically run $150-$400 for a simple skylight replacement that requires one. A good roofer pulls the permit, schedules the inspection, and includes both in the quote.
How a real skylight replacement install works (1-day for like-for-like)
For a standard same-size replacement, the whole job is a single day. Here’s the actual sequence.
| Step | What happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Interior protection | Drop cloths in the room below, plastic sheeting on the shaft, furniture moved | 20 min |
| 2. Roof access and unit removal | Pull old unit, old flashing, old sealants. Inspect deck around opening | 30-60 min |
| 3. Deck repair (if needed) | Replace any soft or rotted sheathing, add blocking if framing damaged | 30 min - 2 hours |
| 4. Underlayment integration | Patch underlayment, install ice and water shield around opening | 20 min |
| 5. New flashing kit install | Manufacturer flashing kit, layered correctly with shingles/tiles | 45-90 min |
| 6. Set new skylight | Drop in, fasten per manufacturer spec, seal all penetrations | 30 min |
| 7. Roof tie-in | Reset shingles or tiles around flashing, seal cut edges | 30-60 min |
| 8. Interior shaft and trim | Drywall patch, trim, interior seal | 1-2 hours |
| 9. Cleanup and walkthrough | Magnetic sweep for nails, debris haul-off, customer walkthrough | 30 min |
Total time on-site: usually 6-8 hours for a like-for-like deck-mount replacement. Add a half-day for deck repair, a half-day for drywall and paint, and a full extra day for custom units that need on-site fabrication or fitting.
If you have a tile roof (concrete or clay), add an extra hour or two for careful tile removal and reset. We see a lot of broken tiles on skylight jobs done by crews who don’t work on tile regularly. If you’re in a Spanish-tile neighborhood like Kensington, Point Loma, or Coronado, ask whether the crew has tile experience before signing. For more on this, see 2026 tile roof replacement cost in San Diego.
FAQ
How long does a new skylight last?
A modern Velux or Fakro deck-mount unit with a proper flashing kit should last 25 to 30 years before the glass seal degrades. Most no-leak warranties on the install run 10 years.
Can I replace a skylight without replacing the roof?
Yes, and most of the time that’s what we do. The flashing kit ties into the existing roofing. If you’re getting a re-roof in the next 2-3 years, do the skylight at the same time and save on labor overlap.
Will a new skylight leak?
Not if it’s installed with a manufacturer flashing kit by a crew that does this regularly. Leak risk on a properly installed Velux or Fakro is very low for the first 15-20 years. The risk goes up when contractors hand-form flashing or skip the ice and water shield around the opening.
Do I need to upgrade insulation around the skylight shaft?
Worth doing if you have the opening apart anyway. R-13 batt insulation in the shaft walls makes a measurable difference in heat loss and gain. Add $100-$200 to the job.
Can I switch from a small skylight to a bigger one during replacement?
Yes, but it’s no longer like-for-like. Enlarging the opening means cutting framing, adding a header, pulling a permit, and more structural work. Budget $3,500 to $7,500 vs. $1,800 to $4,500 for a same-size swap.
Are solar-powered skylights worth it?
If you want venting without running electrical to the unit, yes. Velux’s solar-powered venting skylights add about $400-$700 over the manual version and qualify for the federal solar tax credit (30% off the unit and install).
Get a real replacement quote
If your skylight is yellowing, fogging, leaking, or just looks dated, it’s time. We do like-for-like deck-mount replacements across San Diego County, including tile-roof jobs in Kensington, Point Loma, Coronado, La Jolla, Mission Hills, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Poway, Escondido, Oceanside, Chula Vista, La Mesa, Clairemont, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Bernardo, and Allied Gardens. The full breakdown on the best roof material for coastal climates goes deeper.
See our skylight installation and replacement service page or call for a same-week estimate. We’ll walk the roof, inspect the existing opening, and quote a fixed price for the replacement.