Skylights · Checklists

Skylight checklists

Before you sign, confirm five things in writing: exact unit and model, the manufacturer flashing kit matched to your roof covering, who pulls the permit, whether interior drywall and paint are included, and the length of the labor warranty separate from the product warranty. During the install, the roof should not be left open overnight without protection. After, ask for photos of the flashing before the roof covering went back over it.

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Hiring checklist. Get the company's license number and verify it yourself with your state or local licensing authority rather than accepting a photo of a card. Confirm general liability and workers' compensation coverage — on roof work, workers' comp is the coverage that matters most to you, because an uninsured worker's fall can become your problem. Ask for two recent skylight jobs on your roof type and actually call them.

Contract checklist. Model number and quantity, flashing kit specified by name, permit responsibility, interior finish scope, disposal, cleanup, payment schedule, and what happens if rot is found in the deck. That last one is the surprise that blows up skylight budgets — agree in advance on an hourly or unit rate for deck repair rather than discovering it mid-job.

Install-day checklist. The roof should be protected whenever the crew isn't actively working the opening. Ask them to photograph the underlayment and flashing at each stage. Those photos are your only chance to ever see the part that determines whether this leaks.

Post-install checklist. Walk the interior for drywall and paint quality, operate any venting mechanism, confirm the permit was inspected and closed if one was pulled, and file the model number, install date, invoice and flashing photos together. Register the product warranty if the manufacturer requires it.

How to choose

Verify the license yourself: Search the number on your state or local licensing board's public lookup. Confirm the name matches the company on the invoice.
Confirm workers' comp before anyone climbs: Roof work is fall-risk work. Ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly from the insurer, not a photocopy.
Agree a rot rate up front: Deck rot around an old skylight is common. Set the price for repair before it's discovered, not after.
Ask for flashing photos: Once the shingles go back on, nobody can see the most important part of the job. Photos at each stage cost nothing.
Close the permit: If a permit was pulled, get the final inspection sign-off in your records. An open permit is a problem at sale time.

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FAQ

Skylights checklists — common questions

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What should be in a skylight contract?

Unit model and count, the specific flashing kit, permit responsibility, interior finish scope, disposal, payment schedule, labor warranty length, and an agreed rate for deck repair if rot is found.

What questions should I ask a skylight installer?

Which flashing kit they'll use, how many skylights they've done on your roof type this year, who pulls the permit, whether interior finishing is included, and how long their labor warranty runs.

What should I check after installation?

Interior finish quality, operation of any venting mechanism, the flashing photos, the closed permit, and that the model number on the invoice matches the unit installed.