If you are considering installing a skylight yourself there are a number of questions you first need to ask to see if it is a viable option:
- What type of skylight are you looking to install?
- What skills do I require to complete installation?
- How long will it take to complete the installation?
- What is the cost of installing the skylight myself?
- Do I have the necessary tools available to complete the installation?
- How do I select the right product?
What type of skylight are you looking to install?
No doubt tubular skylights are the most efficient to install particularly in a DIY project. If you’re looking for a large square or even a roof window this will be a significantly difficult project with major carpentry work. This should always be completed through a licensed builder or carpenter so we will therefore focus on Tubular skylights for this DIY information.
What skills do I require to complete installation?
Any person deciding to install the skylight in their own home should have at the minimum basic handyman skills. You should keep in mind that you will be working at heights and you are making a penetration (hole) in your roof. A high level of competency is required to ensure that there are no issues in the future.
How long will it take to complete the installation?
Depending on your competency levels, installing a skylight can take between an hour and eight hours. You will be cutting a hole in your roof, ensuring that you leave plenty of time to complete the installation you do not want to be finishing at night or leaving a hole in the roof overnight.
What is the cost of installing the skylight myself?
Sometimes installing a DIY tubular skylight is more trouble than its worth. Consider the cost versus the risk of a poor installation.
A professional skylight installer can complete the job for roughly $200, a builder or roofer will often charge between $400 and $600. Builders and roofers are usually significantly more expensive as they are requested to install products from hardware chains that have a one size fits all flashing and is significantly more difficult to waterproof. Many professional skylight installers will not even consider the installation of these products due to ongoing leakage issues. The dollars saved by purchasing a hardware store skylight product is often lost because of the difficulty and complication of waterproofing the low-quality product.
Do you have the necessary tools available to complete the installation?
There are a number of unique and specialised tools that are required to complete a skylight installation, tools not always found in homes, especially tools for working on metal roofs. This should be a consideration when assessing a DIY installation, as the cost of purchasing tools can quickly outrun the savings of the DIY skylight.
How do I select the right product?
Customers typically considering Skylights based on the performance and the budget. The biggest consideration a DIY installer should look at is the flashing system and the way the product fits into the roof.
I am about to have a Sky light installed by your company and I asked the question of your installer “does your company give a discount to Defence Veterans. Holders of DVA card” he informed me that you did not.
The Defence Veterans programs and social sites are ever increasing and there are a lot of organizations large and small offering discounts to Defence members. Is this something your organization could get onboard with. It is an opportunity for great exposure by joining an organization like APOD an organization which advertises company;s offering members a discount as well as word of mouth through many Defence oriented social media sites.
Hi Gary
We have 33 Dealers nationally and will be discussing with these businesses about getting on board with the Defence Veterans program in future. Thanks for your feedback.