What does skylight replacement involve?
Our skylight replacement service in Edinburgh and the Lothians covers replacing tired domes and failed glass with a modern rooflight. We survey every job before fixing the price.
Short winter days in Scotland make every square metre of overhead glass count, so rooflight sizing matters. Scottish weather is hard on roofs, so we specify rooflights and roof windows with exposure in mind and fit upstands with generous heights.
Towns in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Specification options in Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Misted glass unit replacement only
- Roof window replacement in pitched roofs
- Upstand rebuild and insulation
- Fixed to electric opening
- Dome to flat glass upgrade
- Better thermal performance
- Option to add opening and rain sensor
Planning and building rules in Scotland
In Scotland most rooflights on houses fall under Class 2B permitted development; in a conservation area, or on a listed building, consent is needed. Listed buildings need listed building consent where the work affects their character.
Scotland's Technical Handbook (section 6) asks for windows, doors and rooflights in an extension to average 1.4–1.6 W/m²K, with no single unit worse than 3.3 W/m²K. Replacing a rooflight, frame included, does not need a building warrant, but the work must still meet the building standards.
Guide prices
Guide prices for skylight replacement in Edinburgh and the Lothians are the same as anywhere we work — what changes the price is the job: access, structure, scaffold and finishing.
| Option | Guide price inc VAT | Ex VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement with upstand rebuild and opening unit | £2,995 – £4,795 | £2,495 – £3,995 |
| Dome to flat glass upgrade Typical | £1,915 – £2,995 | £1,595 – £2,495 |
| Like-for-like glass rooflight | £1,555 – £2,155 | £1,295 – £1,795 |
How the job runs
- Tell us about the roof. Send the postcode, rough sizes and a photo or two through the form, WhatsApp or the guide-price tool.
- Free survey. For new installations a surveyor measures the opening, checks the roof build-up and talks through glass and options.
- Fixed written quote. You get the product, the work and the price in writing. Nothing is ordered or paid for until you agree.
- Fitting and handover. We fit, seal and make good, then hand over product data, warranties and any certificate paperwork.
Replacement in nearby areas
Common questions
Will it mess up my ceiling?
We protect the room and make good the reveal. Minor decoration may be needed afterwards.
How long does a replacement take?
Usually a day for a standard rooflight on a sound upstand.
Do I need building regulations approval to replace a rooflight?
Replacements in existing homes generally need to meet current thermal standards and may need notification or approval. We advise on the route for your job.
Can I go bigger when replacing?
Possibly. Enlarging the opening means trimming joists, so we check the structure first.
Will I need planning permission in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Planning rules in Scotland differ: rooflights are treated as external alterations under Class 2B, with no permitted development in conservation areas.
