Installing a gas cooker gives you more control when you cook on the hob and grill. You don’t have to wait for a hotplate or grill to warm or cool as happens with an electric cooker. Also, cooking with gas is cheaper than electricity.
So, you’ve two good reasons to choose a gas cooker over electric any day.
But, how much does the installation cost? The average gas cooker installation cost in the UK is about £150 (fittings and labour). Also, the average daily rate for a Gas Safe engineer ranges from £30 to £100/hr plus a call-out fee.
Also, a good quality gas cooker can range from £300 to £2000.
Compare Quotes & Save Up To 37%:
So, what are the advantages of a gas cooker? Firstly, the heat is instant. The minute you light the flame, you transfer heat to your pan. Then, because the heat comes from a flame rather than a heated element, you can turn the gas up and down and the heat varies almost instantly.
Whereas, an electric hot plate takes time to warm up and coof down. So, this gives you much more control over the heat output, which is important if you’re a professional chef. Or, even if you’re just cooking for yourself and family. Because, if you’re an amateur, you might not have the know-how to improvise when a pan boils over!
Main Topics
Gas Cooker Installation Prices
If you look in the following table, you’ll find we have outlined the estimated costs from various gas cooker fitters from around the UK. Remember, labour rates in London and Southeast will be from 10% to 20% higher than in other areas. Also, the cooker installation prices in the table exclude VAT. You should note that most gas cooker installers have a minimum charge of about £40 to £60. Alternatively, they might charge you a call-out fee.
| Job | Average Cost | Time Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Free-standing gas cooker – installation only | £60 to £150 | 1 to 2 hours |
| Free-standing gas cooker – supply & fit | £300 to £600 | 1 to 2 hours |
| Disconnect gas cooker | £40 to £60 | 1 hour |
| Install gas hob only | £60 to £150 | 1 to 2 hours |
These costs assume that a gas mains pipe already exists in the kitchen. And, nothing needs to be added or moved.
You’ll also notice that the cost to install a gas hob is the same as for fitting a gas cooker. This is because in both cases the gas hob connection fittings are the same, and there is just one flexible connector.
Compare Quotes & Save Up To 37%:
How long does it take to install a gas cooker?
Okay, if you want a gas cooker, then the chances are that you already have mains gas supplied to your house and have a gas supply pipe installed to a convenient point in the kitchen.
But what happens if you don’t?
First, you must contact a gas supply company who will survey your home and the local area and calculate a price to supply. This sum will be dependent on many things that are outside the scope of this article. So, contact your local gas supplier and ask for a quotation before choosing your cooker.
However, if you are replacing a gas hob, we can assume you already have a gas supply to a meter within your home and have a line to the kitchen. The gas line already has an isolation valve fitted. And probably, the end will be capped to prevent accidental opening.
In the UK, only a qualified and registered GasSafe engineer can legally work on a piece of gas equipment. This means, that you must find a local registered contractor and get a quote for the work. You can’t do anything as a DIY project.
Freestanding cookers
A freestanding cooker has one flexible metal hose that connects to the gas line via a bayonet fitting. The engineer will connect the flexible pipe to the gas line, and ensure all fittings are fully tightened. Then, he will turn on the isolation valve and check that everything works properly with no leaks. Then, the engineer will connect a safety chain to the rear of the appliance to prevent it from tipping over and pulling on the gas pipe.
He will then complete documentation to say who fitted the equipment and that everything passed the safety checks. The law regards a Gas Safe engineer as a competent person. Therefore, he or she can certify that their work complies with the UK Building Regulations, without having independent checks. In due course, the engineer informs the Building Control office of the Local Authority that he has done the work.
Built-in appliances
Many people who have a fitted kitchen use a gas hob and an electric oven. We’ve already said that a gas hob provides a far superior method of cooking compared to an electric one. However, an electric oven gives a more even temperature and bakes better than gas.
If the job is simply replacing a gas hob, then it’s as easy as connecting a freestanding cooker. However, if you have a gas oven as well as a separate hob installed into a fitted kitchen, the procedure is slightly different.
- There are two separate appliances so the gas line will need two separate valves and connection points. Usually, this will be as simple as removing the existing valve and connecting a double valve fitting.
- The oven will fit into a kitchen base unit designed for your specific oven’s size and model. The flexible bayonet hose from the oven will connect to one of the isolation valves. Finally, the engineer will fix the oven into the base unit.
- Usually, a built-in hob is inset into the worktop. The kitchen fitter cuts the worktop to the size required to fit the hob. And, loosely seats the hob into the cut-out. Then, the gas engineer connects the hob to the gas supply and fixes the hob to the worktop with specially made clips.
- Finally, the engineer checks both appliances against the standard safety checks before issuing a certificate.
If everything goes to plan, and the system doesn’t need any other additions or repairs, connection and testing are very straightforward. Therefore, this will usually take less than a couple of hours to complete. However, if the gas pipe needs extending or moving to a different location, the job might take anything up to 8 hours.
Additional Cost Factors
There are a few factors that will influence any quote you receive from a gas engineer.
- How many appliances need to be connected? If yours is a newly built home, then you might need gas heating and gas cooking. If so, the gas engineer can do all jobs during the same visit and save money.
- Are the appliances freestanding or ‘built-in’? A free-standing cooker usually needs less installation work than a built-in model.
- The complexity of the work will affect the gas cooker fitting price. If the house has never had a gas cooker before. Or, if the cooker needs to be moved. Then, the pipeline will require altering or extending. Usually, this is a straightforward job for a qualified Gas Safe engineer. But, finding a suitable route for the gas line from the meter to the appliance might be difficult.
- How far is the gas meter from the appliance? If it’s a long way, then the engineer must install more pipework. This will increase material cost and labour.
- Does the appliance require an electricity supply? Some appliances need electricity to operate successfully. For example, if the appliance has lights, illuminated dials, fans or needs electricity to ignite the gas flame, then you must supply electricity. This will need a qualified electrician to install the appropriate power supply to the appliance.
Compare Quotes & Save Up To 37%:
Gas Safe Registration & UK Regulations
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 state that anyone working on a gas appliance in the UK must work within the law at all times. Essentially, this means that if you want to comply with the gas cooker installation regulations, you must be listed on the Gas Safe Register. You can check your engineer’s Gas Safe registration by using the search tool on the website. And, he or she will also have a Gas Safe ID card showing their full name, registration number and the expiry date.
By law, any gas engineer or business in the UK, Isle of Man and Guernsey must be on the Register. The qualification needed to be on the Register relates purely to ‘gas safety’. Furthermore, the engineer can only achieve it by completing a recognised period of training and successfully passing an assessment. After which, the engineer will receive a licence.
Can I install a gas cooker anywhere?
You can’t position either freestanding or built-in cookers anywhere. There are certain laws in place to keep your cooker and its surroundings safe for heat and fire damage. And, Gas Safe engineers will not install any appliance that doesn’t have the required space around it or meet these requirements:
- If you have a freestanding cooker with a high–level grill, you must have at least 610mm clearance above the top of the appliance.
- A newly fitted gas cooker must have at least a 20mm gap on either side.
- Gas hobs need a distance of at least 750mm from the hob to the cooker hood.
- Wall units either side of the cooker hood must be at least 366mm above the hob.
- Every appliance must have a ‘Flame Supervision Device’ installed. This is a pre-installed part of the gas burner that detects if the flame has extinguished. If it has, it automatically turns off the gas supply. You will find that all modern gas cookers already have this fitted. But, an engineer must check its correct operation.
In addition to these laws, Gas Safe engineers won’t connect any appliance that no longer complies with the current regulations.
If you own your own home, you don’t need to have the certificate issued by the Gas Safe engineer, but it’s useful to have for your records, so ask for one. However, if you are a landlord, you are legally obliged to have a certificate to prove the cooker has been installed safely according to the regulations.
Compare Quotes & Save Up To 37%:
Gas Cooker Installation FAQ
Can I install my own gas cooker?
Theoretically, you can install it. But, you can only legally install your cooker if you are a Gas Safe registered engineer. Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, you must be a competent person to work on any type of gas. You must do a recognised training course and pass an assessment before having a licence.
How do you hook up a gas oven?
You don’t! Leave it to a qualified and registered Gas Safe engineer.
Only competent persons can legally work on gas appliances. And, being Gas Safe registered is proof that the engineer is not only qualified but safe and insured for any mishaps. You will also receive a certificate stating that the Gas Safe engineer installed the cooker according to the law.
Can you disconnect a gas cooker yourself?
Sorry, no you can’t! Even though it seems a simple job to close the isolation valve and disconnect the bayonet fitting. Even if you cap the gas pipe afterwards, you still have to carry out tests to ensure that everything is safe. This means that legally (and for your own safety) you must use a Gas Safe engineer for any work involving gas appliances.
How does a gas cooker bayonet fitting work?
A gas cooker bayonet fixing is a self–sealing gas connection. On the end of the flexible hose coming from the cooker, is a nozzle with lugs similar to a bayonet light bulb fixing. This is the ‘male’ end.
The ‘female’ part of the connection connects to the main gas line fixed to the wall. By default, the gas pressure inside the pipe provides enough force to ensure the female part of the connection remains closed. When the two parts need connecting, the engineer pushes the ‘male’ part into the ‘female’ part and twists clockwise to lock the lugs into place. The ‘male’ part opens the seal to allow the gas to flow freely through the connection. When disconnecting the bayonet fixing. The engineer pushes the ‘male’ part and twists it anti-clockwise. Once again, the ‘female’ part then self seals against the gas pressure.
Do new gas cookers come with a gas pipe?
No! New gas cookers don’t necessarily come with the gas pipe. And even if they do, they don’t come ready attached. This is because:
- The joints sometimes work loose during transit and might be dangerous if the cooker isn’t checked before use.
- It is to prevent amateurs from connecting the cooker without calling in a Gas Safe engineer.
- Finally, a Gas Safe engineer must check all joints and fittings for leaks before use. And, check that the appliance and gas pipe operate correctly and safely, without leaks.
Can I cap a gas line myself?
No! You must ask a Gas Safe registered engineer to cap a gas line. The job only takes a few minutes. But, the engineer must check that the cap is secure and no gas escapes from the cap, pipework or fittings.
Are all gas cooker hoses the same?
No. There are two types of gas you can use for domestic appliances.
- Natural gas.
- LPG gas.
Natural gas is lighter than LPG and is delivered under higher pressure. Therefore the hose will be manufactured to different specifications and standards.
There are also 5 different types of gas cooker hoses.
- Standard natural gas hose.
- Standard LPG gas hose.
- Microline or micropoint natural gas hoses.
- Microline or micropoint LPG gas hoses.
- LPG and natural gas catering hoses.
As you can imagine, it’s very important to purchase the correct one for your appliance.
How do you fit a gas cooker safety chain?
- Drill a hole into the wall behind the cooker, insert a suitable wall fixing and screw the supplied hook to the wall.
- Then, attach one end of the chain to a convenient hole at the rear of the cooker using a nut and bolt.
- Finally, clip the other end of the chain to the hook in the wall.
Does a gas cooker need to be chained to the wall?
It’s important for safety reasons to have your cooker attached to the wall, especially if you have children.
- The safety chain will prevent the cooker from overturning.
- It will also ensure that any hot pans on the hob don’t slide off and injure bystanders.
- Also, the chain prevents the cooker from wrenching the gas pipe away from the wall if the cooker moves too violently.
- Finally, the easily disconnected clip allows the cooker to be pulled away from the wall for cleaning.
Find Gas Safe Registered Engineers Near You
A gas cooker is widely regarded as a better way to cook and is much cheaper than using electricity. A chef has more control of the heat on the hob and can increase or decrease the flame almost immediately.
If you want to find out the cost of a gas cooker installation, fill out the form on this page. Pretty soon you’ll receive 2 or 3 quotes from Gas Safe engineers offering you competitive rates to work on your gas cooker.
Compare Quotes & Save Up To 37%: