How Much Does Sunroof Installation Cost?
Originally, sunroofs were made of one opaque pane of glass that could be opened or closed manually. It was first introduced as a standard option by Nash Motor Company in some of its 1937 models. But in 1973, a marketing manager of Ford Company created the moonroof, which was made of a translucent pane of glass that could be opened to allow passengers to enjoy the exterior view through the glass, even when the roof was closed.
How much does it cost to install a sunroof in a car?
Depending on the type of car you drive, the sunroof purchased and professional you use to have it installed, most sunroof installation jobs will cost anywhere from $800 to as much as $1,800 for the sunroof and labor combined. Refer to our table below to see what the various types of sunroofs could cost you:
| Type | Description | Average Cost (parts + installed) |
|---|---|---|
| Factory Installed | While it may be a standard feature on your newly purchased car, it can be considered a premium add-on for other models. | $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the type of sunroof and the car being purchased. |
| Pop-up Sunroof | This manually-operated, removable sunroof is often the cheapest option. | $400 to $900 |
| Spoiler Sunroof | A top-mounted glass panel that's able to tilt and slide along the outside of the car's roof. | $700 to $1,100, depending on the size and car you drive |
| Moonroof | A power operated sunroof, with an internal sliding glass panel that slides into the car, between the metal roof and headliner. This is the most common type of moonroof seen in cars. | $1,200 to $2,500 |
| Panoramic | Either transparent or opaque and typically factory installed, a panoramic sunroof is a multi-panel sunroof that expands farther than the traditional sunroof. | $1,500 to $3,000 |
We also researched the Internet to see what other car owners were paying for their aftermarket sunroof and included the prices they paid inside the table below:
| Car Make/Model | Price Quote (installed + parts) |
|---|---|
| Ford Escape | $1,180 |
| Ford Mustang | $1,800 |
| Honda Civic | $1,100 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | $1,250 |
| Toyota Corolla | $1,200 |
| Toyota Rav4 | $1,400 |
eSunroof.com, for example, lists the prices they would charge for various sunroofs. A 20-inch by 32-inch pop-up sunroof with a removable glass panel can cost $500 installed, while a large power moonroof, designed for a full-sized truck or SUV, can cost $1,250.
Installing a sunfroof
To install an aftermarket sunroof, the headliner will be removed, and the sheet of metal, cut to the specifications of the sunroof to be installed, will be cut. The power wires, if you choose a powered model, will then be run from the fuse box to the location of the new sunroof. From there, the sunroom, which often comes as a complete kit, will be installed by dropping the complete kit into the newly cut out hole, followed by bolting it in and plugging in the wiring. This YourMechanic.com how-to guide shows us in detail how an aftermarket sunroof is installed.
What are the extra costs?
Aftermarket sunroofs are prone to leaks, even if installed right. As mentioned, even if they were installed right, most experts recommend against installing a sunroof due to the materials and overall design that doesn’t fit the original car’s specifications. While it wouldn’t be an extra cost now, repairs in the future could cost $100 to $250 to replace the motor to as much as $300 to $500 to replace the sunroof glass.
Tips to know:
A factory installed sunroof has been engineered to accommodate all of the changes to the design, including the roof, seals, wires, insulation, controls and so forth. But an aftermarket part, on the other hand, won’t be designed to meet the specifications of a factory installation. Aside from this, they may not match the car’s overall design, have limited functions and may rattle and/or leak, even when properly installed.
If choosing an aftermarket sunroof, make sure the installer, at a minimum, offers a warranty for up to three years to protect your investment. This way, you will know the product is of quality.
Refer to your manufacturer prior to installing an aftermarket sunroof to see if it can affect your car’s factory warranty.
Check out this Webasto product configurator to see which sunroof can fit your car’s current setup.
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