Install a skylight

A skylight window, also called a roof window, brings natural daylight into a room and helps reduce energy bills by providing illumination during the day without turning on the lights. It’s a particularly good choice if you’re remodeling a small space where wall space is at a premium. That’s why a skylight is often preferred and used in bathrooms and kitchens where wall space is needed for cabinetry and fixtures. By choosing an acrylic skylight, you eliminate the need for paint and its design and sealants will resist water infiltration and prevent moisture from entering the home.

A contractor or window installer will charge $1,061, including labor and material, to install a 30-by-38-inch glass skylight. If you have carpentry experience and tools, you can buy the unit for $675, install it and pocket a 36 percent saving. But if you’re not, the job is beyond the scope of many homeowners because it involves cutting a hole in the roof; not a job for anyone who lacks the confidence and carpentry expertise. If there’s any doubt, hire a pro.

To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com on your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Pro Cost -- DIY Cost -- Pro time -- DIY Time -- DIY Savings -- Percent Saved

$1,061 -- $675 -- 9.8 -- 13.5 -- $386 -- 36 Percent

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