A re-roof is the cheapest moment you’ll ever have to add or replace a skylight, because the flashing labor is already part of the job you’re paying for regardless. If you’re mid-decision on a roof replacement and wondering whether to deal with a skylight separately later, the short answer is: don’t wait if you can help it.
Why this comes up so often in Austin
Hail-driven re-roofs are a routine event along the I-35 corridor, which sees an estimated five to eight significant hail events a year, peaking between March and June. Austin’s September 24, 2023 storm alone caused more than $300 million in damage and remains the costliest hailstorm in the city’s history, and it put a lot of roofs, and the skylights sitting in them, up for review at the same time.
Existing skylights and a new roof
If you already have a skylight and you’re getting a new roof, most roofing contractors will strongly recommend replacing it during the job rather than re-flashing an older unit. This is standard industry practice, not a manufactured upsell: many roofing crews require a liability waiver before they’ll re-flash an aging skylight into a brand-new roof, because a failure in old flashing or a worn seal after the new roof is installed becomes a much messier, more expensive fix than it would have been during the original job. Coming back later for a standalone skylight swap also typically costs more than doing the same work while the roof is already open, since the flashing labor has to be paid for a second time instead of once. Ask your specific roofer and installer for numbers on your situation rather than assuming a fixed figure, since costs vary by roof and unit.
Adding a new skylight mid-re-roof
If you don’t have a skylight yet but you’ve been considering one, a re-roof is the moment to actually do it. The roofing crew is already on-site, the roof deck is already open, and coordinating a skylight install with that same mobilization means one crew visit and one round of flashing labor, instead of two separate projects months apart.
The insurance angle
If your re-roof is happening because of a hail claim, it’s worth asking about a Class 4 impact-resistant roof at the same time. Texas Insurance Code Section 2253.002 requires insurers to offer a premium discount for roofs rated UL 2218 Class 4, commonly cited in the 15 to 35 percent range depending on carrier, though you’ll want to confirm the exact number with your own policy. Pairing that Class 4 roof with impact-rated skylight glazing means the whole roof system, skylight included, is built to the same higher storm-resistance standard from day one.
Cost logic, honestly
Bundling saves money mainly on labor, not on the unit itself. The skylight or solar tube product costs roughly the same whether it’s installed alone or alongside a re-roof. What changes is the flashing and roof-opening labor, which gets shared across the project instead of paid for twice. Get quotes for both scenarios, standalone and bundled, from your installer to see the actual dollar difference for your specific roof.
What to ask the roofer
Ask whether your roofing contractor installs skylights directly or coordinates with a dedicated skylight installation specialist for that part of the job. Some larger roofing crews handle both in-house; others bring in a specialist for the skylight itself while managing the surrounding roof work. Either way, get clarity on who’s responsible for what before the job starts, so there’s no gap in accountability if a flashing issue shows up later.
Do roofers install skylights?
Some do directly, and some bring in a specialist for that part of the job while handling the surrounding roof themselves. Ask your roofer which approach they take before the project starts.
Should skylights be replaced with the roof?
In most cases, yes, especially for an aging unit, since re-flashing an old skylight into a brand-new roof carries real risk and many roofers require a waiver to do it. A newer, recently installed skylight in good condition may be a reasonable exception.
Does insurance ever cover the skylight in a hail re-roof?
It can, when the skylight damage is part of the same covered wind and hail event as the roof. We cover the documentation and claims process in more detail in a separate post on skylight hail damage and insurance.
Timing it right
If a re-roof is already on your calendar, whether from age or a storm claim, that’s your window to add or replace a skylight at the lowest incremental cost you’ll see. Bright Sky ATX connects Austin homeowners with experienced, insured local crews for skylight replacement and skylight blinds and shades add-ons alike. Call (737) 477-8898 for a free estimate.