Skylight and rooflight installer
Fit and replace skylights and rooflights in homes, extensions and loft conversions for local owners and builders.
- £2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
17,463 UK companies in this field, 36% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 43910 “Roofing activities”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Supplying and fitting roof windows, flat rooflights and glass lanterns, including cutting the opening, weatherproofing, flashing and making good inside. Many jobs are replacements of leaking or old units.
Your first three steps
- Take on a few small jobs or subcontract to a local builder to build experience and a portfolio of photos
- Open trade accounts with rooflight suppliers and ask about installer training and warranties
- Get public liability insurance and set up a simple quote template, then contact local builders and architects
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, and local builders or architects who want a reliable specialist to fit rooflights on their projects.
How it makes money
Fixed quote per job covering materials and labour, usually with a margin added on the units. Repeat work from builders can fill your diary.
Skills that help
- Roofing or general building experience
- Working safely at height
- Accurate measuring and quoting
- Reliable and tidy with customers
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and employer's liability once you hire anyone
- Safe working at height and roof access; check scaffolding and edge protection needs for each job
- Building Regulations approval may be needed for new openings or structural changes; check with the local council or a competent person scheme
- Weatherproofing mistakes cause leaks, so check manufacturer fitting guidance and offer a workmanship guarantee only if you can honour it
- Customers may expect a warranty or guarantee, so check what suppliers cover
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: skylight and rooflight installer
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a skylight installation business?
Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on your tools and set-up. These are estimates. Also check public liability insurance, and employer's liability once you hire anyone.
How much can a rooflight installer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £9,000, depending on the jobs you take on and how often you work. These are estimates, with a minimum of around 15 hours a week.
Do I need Building Regulations approval to fit skylights?
It may be needed for new openings or structural changes, so check with the local council or a competent person scheme. Also check scaffolding and edge protection needs for each job, and manufacturer fitting guidance to avoid leaks.
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