Summary
Hob installation has merged two formerly separate jobs — electrical fitting and gas connection — into a single quote conversation because most UK kitchen replacements now move from gas to induction. The change is electrical (loss of gas, addition of a 32A radial circuit) and consumer-led (induction hobs are faster, cleaner, and required by some local Air Quality regulations near schools). Pricing must reflect the realistic scope of fitting a new electrical circuit if one isn't already there.
For gas hobs, the work is now exclusively gas-engineer territory — non-Gas Safe registered work on a gas hob is illegal under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. The fitting itself is straightforward but tightness testing and proper bayonet/rigid connection take time.
This guide covers labour bands by hob type, electrical scope, gas scope, the worktop cutting question, and the venting-hob (Bora-style) integration with Part F. For matching kitchen-fit costs see oven installation pricing guide and cooker hood installation pricing guide.
Key Facts
- Induction hob, like-for-like swap, existing 32A circuit — £140–£250 labour, 1.5–2 hours
- Induction hob, new 32A radial circuit + 6mm² T+E + 45A switch — £350–£600 labour, half-day
- Induction hob with integrated extractor (Bora, Siemens, AEG) — £450–£900 labour, 1–1.5 days
- Gas hob, like-for-like bayonet swap — £140–£260 labour, 1.5–2 hours (Gas Safe)
- Gas hob, new install with copper run — £280–£500 labour, half-day (Gas Safe)
- Domino hobs (multiple modules, side-by-side) — labour 30–60% premium over standard single-unit
- Electrician day rate (Part P) — £280–£480 regional, £360–£560 London
- Gas Safe engineer day rate — £300–£500 regional, £400–£600 London
- Joiner day rate (worktop cutting) — £200–£300 regional, £260–£360 London
- 6mm² T+E twin-and-earth (10m) — £35–£60 supplied
- 6mm² T+E per metre — £3.50–£6.00 supplied
- 32A B-type MCB — £8–£18 supplied
- 32A RCBO — £18–£35 supplied
- 45A cooker switch (DP) — £14–£28 supplied
- 45A cooker connection unit (CCU, below worktop) — £8–£16 supplied
- Gas bayonet (LCC1) — £18–£32 supplied
- Flexible gas hose — £24–£42 supplied
- Worktop hole cutting (laminate, jigsaw) — included in fitter labour
- Worktop hole cutting (granite, professional) — £100–£250 supplied
- Worktop hole cutting (quartz/Silestone) — £120–£300 supplied
- Notification — Part P circuit additions notifiable (Building Control or competent person scheme)
- Tightness test (Gas Safe) — included in install
- Maximum induction hob current draw (typical 4-zone) — 7.2 kW = 31.3 A — 32A diversity applies
- Maximum venting-induction hob current draw — 7.4 kW (+ 200–400 W for fan in separate ducted mode)
- VAT — 20% standard rate
Quick Reference Table
Spending too long on quotes? squote turns a 2-minute voice recording into a professional quote.
Try squote free →| Scenario | Time | Labour | Materials | Full Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Induction hob swap, existing 32A circuit | 1.5–2 hr | £140–£250 | £0–£25 | £140–£275 |
| Induction hob, new 32A radial circuit | 5–7 hr | £350–£600 | £100–£180 | £450–£780 |
| Venting induction hob, full install + ducting | 8–12 hr | £450–£900 | £200–£400 | £650–£1,300 |
| Gas hob, like-for-like bayonet swap | 1.5–2 hr | £140–£260 | £20–£60 | £160–£320 |
| Gas hob, new install + copper run + tightness test | 5–7 hr | £280–£500 | £80–£180 | £360–£680 |
| Worktop hole, laminate (built in to fitter labour) | + 30 min | included | — | included |
| Worktop hole, granite/quartz (professional cut) | + on-site cut | +£100–£300 | — | quote on top |
| Domino hob, 2 modules + crossover | 2 days | £550–£900 | £150–£250 | £700–£1,150 |
| Gas-to-induction conversion (decommission + new circuit) | 1 day | £450–£800 | £150–£250 | £600–£1,050 |
Detailed Guidance
Induction Hob — Circuit Sizing
A typical 4-zone induction hob is rated 7.2–7.4 kW maximum. Drawing on diversity:
- Connected load: 7.4 kW = 32.2 A
- Diversity (Appendix 4, BS 7671): first 10A at 100%, remainder at 30%, plus 5A if a cooker switch with socket is fitted
- Diversity load: 10 + (22 × 0.3) + 5 = 21.6 A (if cooker switch has socket)
- Diversity load: 10 + (22 × 0.3) = 16.6 A (no socket)
- 32A B-type MCB / RCBO is appropriate
For combined hob + oven on one circuit (some kitchens), the same 32A circuit serves both — manufacturer instructions must confirm compatibility, and diversity calculations cover the combined connected load.
Gas Hob — Connection Detail
The Gas Safe install sequence (LCC1 bayonet):
- Soundness test of existing pipework before disconnecting old hob
- Disconnect old hob, cap and pressure-test if any pipework alteration
- Inspect new hob for damage in transit
- Connect new bayonet hose, slot into bayonet
- Position hob into worktop aperture
- Connect electrical supply (typically 13A plug or fused spur for ignition/safety circuits)
- Soundness test on the whole installation per IGEM/UP/1B for domestic
- Function-test all burners
- Spillage test if extract hood is fitted (interaction check)
- Issue receipt; notify Gas Safe Register if new appliance type
Tightness testing requirement: maximum allowable leak rate is 0.045 m³/h on natural gas, no leak on LPG. Cylinder gauges or electronic devices verify. Failure means leak found, repaired, retested.
Worktop Hole — Cutting Decisions
Three categories of worktop:
Laminate (Pronto, Egger, modern HPL):
- Cut on-site with jigsaw + edge-finishing tool
- Included in fitter labour (30–45 minutes)
- Risk: chipping at corners if blade dulls; new sharp jigsaw blade essential
- Edge finishing: aluminium edge strip or matching laminate edge
Solid wood / butcher block:
- Cut on-site or by joiner
- Add 30–60 minutes
- Edge finishing: oil/lacquer cut edges
Granite / quartz / Silestone:
- Pre-cut by stone supplier at template stage (best practice)
- On-site cutting requires specialist tools (water-cooled diamond saw) and is best done by a stone fitter
- £100–£300 supplied + fitting depending on hole spec
For new builds, the hob aperture should be pre-cut. For retrofit with the original layout retained, the original aperture matches the new hob (most modern hobs are 60cm width, 56cm aperture). For modern induction hobs replacing older gas hobs, the aperture is usually wider/longer and needs enlargement.
Venting Hobs (Bora, Siemens varioInduction etc.)
Venting hobs have an integrated downdraught extractor in the cooktop. They simplify kitchen aesthetics (no overhead hood) but introduce complexity:
- Electrical: 32A radial circuit for hob + dedicated lower-current circuit for extractor (some models share)
- Ducting: 220mm × 90mm or 150mm round duct from below the worktop, through cabinet base, and to:
- External wall via ducted route (best practice, satisfies Part F)
- Recirculating mode with carbon filter (acceptable but doesn't satisfy Part F if hob is the sole kitchen extract)
- Plinth aperture: most installations require a slotted plinth or vented kickplate for air return
- Floor: solid floors limit duct routing; suspended floors allow easier ducting
Quote venting hob install separately from standard hob — it's effectively a "hob + downdraught extractor + worktop modification" project. Expect 1–1.5 days fitting time plus electrician/gas-safe time as separate operatives.
Gas-to-Induction Conversion
A common upgrade. Process:
- Gas Safe engineer attends to disconnect, cap and pressure-test gas line
- Electrician runs new 32A circuit from consumer unit to hob location
- Install 45A cooker switch above worktop, CCU below
- Fitter cuts new aperture (gas hobs are typically narrower than induction)
- Connect new induction hob, test
- Make good gas line termination (cap behind plinth, label "decommissioned gas point")
Coordinate the gas-safe and Part-P electrical work — they don't have to be same-day but the sequence matters. Typical scope: 1 day total work across both engineers, customer pays for 2 visits (gas decommission + electrical install with hob).
Common Site Overruns
- CU full — new 32A circuit needs a free MCB way; CU replacement or sub-board needed.
- CU is pre-RCD — Part P + BS 7671 require RCD protection on circuits in walls/under floors. Single RCBO solves it for new circuit; CU change is more thorough.
- Worktop is granite — pre-cut aperture wrong size or chipped; specialist re-cut.
- Gas line capping required — old gas hob removed but no clean cap available; pipework alteration needed.
- Extractor not specced for new hob output — heat output from induction hob is similar to gas, BUT vapour and oil aerosol load differs; hood may need rating recheck.
- Bayonet hose past date code — must replace (£24–£42).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plug an induction hob into a 13A socket?
Some compact 1- or 2-zone induction hobs draw under 3.0 kW and have a 13A plug. Standard 4-zone induction hobs (7.2 kW) cannot — they require a 32A radial circuit with a 45A cooker switch and CCU. Always check the manufacturer's electrical specification.
Does the gas hob need a hood above it?
Approved Document F requires kitchen extract ventilation; a hood is one common solution. A separate wall- or window-mounted intermittent extract fan is acceptable. A combined induction or gas hob with a venting downdraught extractor satisfies the requirement IF the discharge is to outside (ducted). Recirculating downdraught only does not satisfy Part F as the sole extract — a separate extract fan is needed.
Is RCD protection required for a hob circuit?
BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 requires RCD protection on:
- Final circuits in walls/under floors (almost all kitchen circuits qualify)
- Final circuits in special locations
- Final circuits supplying socket-outlets up to 32A
A hob radial circuit qualifies (it's typically buried in walls or under floors). Use an RCBO (single device combining MCB and RCD) for the cleanest installation.
Who is allowed to swap a gas hob?
Only a Gas Safe registered engineer with the appropriate "cookers / domestic gas" category on their card. Non-registered work on gas is a criminal offence. Customers can verify on the Gas Safe Register website.
Can I do my own wiring on the hob (induction)?
Mechanical installation (slot into aperture, level, secure) can be done by the homeowner. ELECTRICAL connection (CCU termination, circuit connection) is fixed-wired electrical work. If you connect to an existing 32A circuit it is NOT new circuit work and may be non-notifiable, but it must comply with BS 7671 and be tested. Most kitchen fitters work with a registered electrician for the final connection.
Regulations & Standards
Building Regulations Part P (Approved Document P, 2013) — electrical safety in dwellings
Building Regulations Part F (Approved Document F, 2021+2022) — kitchen extract requirements
BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 — Requirements for Electrical Installations
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/2451)
IGEM/UP/1B — Tightness testing and direct purging of small natural gas installations
BS EN 60335-2-6 — Particular requirements for stationary cooking ranges
BS EN 30 series — household gas-burning cooking appliances
BS EN 60335-2-9 — Particular requirements for grills and toasters
oven installation pricing guide — companion appliance pricing
cooker hood installation pricing guide — extract decisions
part p notifiable work — circuit notification decision
cable sizing cooker circuit — 6mm² T+E sizing detail
cookers bayonet fittings — LCC1 bayonet specification