Installing an electric cooker in London typically costs £100 to £350 for a straightforward swap using an existing circuit, and £250 to £600+ if you need new wiring or a dedicated cooker circuit installed. The exact price depends on your cooker type, your current wiring, and whether you’re switching from gas to electric.
This guide breaks down real-world pricing for every type of electric cooker installation in London — freestanding cookers, built-in ovens, induction hobs, and range cookers — plus what drives the cost up or down, and how to avoid overpaying.
Average Electric Cooker Installation Cost in London
Most London homeowners pay within these ranges. Prices vary by borough, property type (period conversion vs new-build), and how accessible your existing wiring is.
| Job Type | Typical Cost (London) | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Freestanding electric cooker (existing circuit) | £100 – £200 | 1–2 hours |
| Built-in electric oven installation | £120 – £250 | 1–3 hours |
| Electric range cooker (60cm–90cm) | £180 – £350 | 2–4 hours |
| Induction hob installation | £150 – £300 | 1–2 hours |
| New dedicated cooker circuit (32A) | £250 – £500 | Half day |
| Gas cooker to electric conversion | £300 – £700+ | Half to full day |
| Old cooker removal + new installation | £150 – £320 | 1–3 hours |
These figures cover labour and standard materials. They exclude the cooker itself and any building work such as chasing walls for cable runs.
What Affects Electric Cooker Installation Cost
1. Whether You Already Have a Suitable Circuit
If your kitchen already has a dedicated cooker circuit with a cooker switch or cooker point, an electrician can usually connect a like-for-like replacement quickly and cheaply. If you don’t have one, installing a new circuit — including running cable back to the consumer unit — adds significantly more labour, which is why prices jump for this scenario.
2. Cooker Type and Power Rating
Larger appliances draw more current. A 60cm single oven cooker typically needs a lower-rated circuit than a 90cm range cooker with multiple heating zones, which may require a higher-rated breaker and thicker cable. Induction hobs, in particular, often demand more power than radiant or ceramic hobs of the same size.
3. Hardwiring vs Plug-and-Socket
Most full-size electric cookers over 3kW are hardwired directly into a cooker switch rather than plugged into a standard socket, for safety reasons. Hardwiring takes more time and skill than a plug-in connection, which is reflected in the price.
4. Property Type and Access
Victorian conversions, flats above shops, and properties with concealed wiring in solid walls generally cost more to work on than modern new-builds with accessible cabling.
5. Certification and Compliance
A qualified electrician will test the circuit and issue a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (or Electrical Installation Certificate for new circuits) confirming the work meets BS 7671 wiring regulations. This is standard practice, not an optional extra, and is usually included in the quoted price.
6. Location Within London
Labour rates vary modestly across Central, North, South, East, and West London. Central boroughs like Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea tend to sit at the higher end, while outer boroughs such as Croydon or Ealing are often slightly cheaper for comparable work.
Electric Cooker vs Induction Cooker Installation Cost
| Factor | Standard Electric Cooker | Induction Cooker |
|---|---|---|
| Average install cost | £100 – £350 | £150 – £300 |
| Power draw | Moderate | Often higher |
| Circuit requirement | Usually 32A dedicated circuit | Usually 32A dedicated circuit, sometimes higher |
| Installation complexity | Standard hardwiring | Standard hardwiring, plus hob calibration |
| Existing circuit reuse | Often possible | Often possible if hob wattage matches |
Induction hobs aren’t necessarily more expensive to fit than a standard electric hob — the cost mainly depends on whether the existing circuit can handle the hob’s power rating.
Gas to Electric Cooker Conversion Cost in London
Switching from a gas cooker to an electric one is the most involved job on this list, because it usually combines several tasks:
- Safe capping of the gas supply by a Gas Safe registered engineer (required by law — this is not something an electrician can do).
- Removal of the old gas cooker and disposal.
- Installation of a new dedicated electric circuit, since gas kitchens rarely have a cooker circuit already in place.
- Wall or floor patching if cable needs to be chased in.
- Connection and testing of the new electric cooker.
Because it involves two trades — a Gas Safe engineer and a qualified electrician — expect a combined cost of £300 to £700+ in London, depending on cable run length and whether any making-good (plastering, redecorating) is needed.
Do You Need an Electrician to Install an Electric Cooker?
Yes. Under UK law (Part P of the Building Regulations), electrical work in kitchens is a notifiable area, and any cooker circuit involving fixed wiring must be installed or checked by a competent, registered electrician. This applies whether you’re replacing a like-for-like cooker or fitting a completely new circuit.
Can an Electric Cooker Use a Normal Socket?
Small appliances under roughly 3kW, such as a single built-in oven or a compact hob, can sometimes run from a standard 13A socket. Most full-size electric cookers, however, exceed this and must be hardwired into a dedicated cooker switch and circuit — plugging a high-power cooker into a normal socket is a fire risk and not compliant with wiring regulations.
Does an Electric Cooker Need a Dedicated Circuit?
In almost all cases, yes. A dedicated cooker circuit — typically rated at 32 amps — ensures the cooker has enough power without overloading other sockets or appliances on the same ring. This is standard practice recommended in BS 7671, the UK wiring regulations.
Does an Electric Cooker Need a 32 Amp Supply?
Most full-size electric cookers and range cookers need a 32A circuit. Smaller single ovens or compact hobs may only need a 20A or 16A circuit. An electrician calculates the correct rating based on the appliance’s total kW load, using diversity calculations set out in the wiring regulations.
How Long Does Electric Cooker Installation Take?
- Like-for-like swap on an existing circuit: 1–2 hours
- Built-in oven or hob on an existing circuit: 1–3 hours
- New dedicated circuit installation: 3–5 hours (half a day)
- Full gas-to-electric conversion: Half a day to a full day
Step-by-Step: What Happens During Installation
- Site survey and quote — the electrician checks your existing wiring, consumer unit capacity, and cooker specifications.
- Isolation of power — the relevant circuit is switched off and locked out for safety.
- Old appliance disconnection — the existing cooker or hob is disconnected and removed if needed.
- Cable and circuit work — either the new cooker is connected to the existing circuit, or a new cable is run from the consumer unit to a new cooker switch.
- Connection of the new cooker — the appliance is wired into the cooker switch or connection point.
- Testing — insulation resistance, earth continuity, and RCD protection are tested to confirm the circuit is safe.
- Certification — you receive a signed certificate confirming the work complies with BS 7671 regulations.
- Demonstration — the electrician shows you how to safely operate the new cooker or hob controls.
Electric Cooker Installation Cost by London Area
Prices are broadly similar citywide, but Central London jobs can run 10–20% higher due to parking, access restrictions, and higher trade overheads.
- Central London (Westminster, Camden, Islington): £150 – £400
- North London: £120 – £350
- South London (Southwark, Croydon, Wandsworth): £110 – £320
- East London (Hackney and surrounding areas): £120 – £340
- West London (Ealing and surrounding areas): £110 – £330
Get a fixed quote for your exact postcode rather than relying on averages, since access, parking, and existing wiring vary block by block even within the same borough.
Freestanding vs Built-In Electric Cooker Fitting Cost
| Cooker Style | Typical Fitting Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Freestanding (60cm) | £100 – £220 | Fastest to fit, often reuses existing connection |
| Freestanding (90cm) | £150 – £320 | May need a higher-rated circuit |
| Built-in single oven | £120 – £250 | Usually fitted into existing cabinetry |
| Built-in double oven | £150 – £300 | Heavier unit, may need cabinet adjustment |
| Built-in hob (separate from oven) | £100 – £250 | Depends on hob type and power rating |
How to Reduce Your Installation Cost
- Reuse your existing circuit where the new cooker’s power rating matches the old one — this avoids the cost of a new circuit entirely.
- Book oven and hob installation together if you’re replacing both, since many electricians charge less for combined jobs than two separate call-outs.
- Get three quotes from registered electricians for anything beyond a simple swap, since prices for new circuit work vary more than for standard replacements.
- Ask for a fixed-price quote after a survey rather than an hourly rate, especially for gas-to-electric conversions where hidden wall or floor work can add unexpected costs.
- Time it with other kitchen work if you’re renovating, since chasing cables while walls are already open is cheaper than doing it afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install an electric cooker in London?
Most installations cost between £100 and £350 if you already have a suitable circuit. Jobs requiring a new dedicated circuit typically cost £250–£500.
Can an electrician install an electric cooker?
Yes. A qualified, registered electrician is required to connect an electric cooker to the mains supply, particularly for hardwired connections and dedicated circuits.
Do I need a dedicated circuit for an electric cooker?
In most cases, yes. Full-size electric cookers and range cookers draw enough power to need their own 32A circuit rather than sharing sockets with other kitchen appliances.
Can an electric cooker use a normal socket?
Only very low-power appliances, such as compact single ovens under about 3kW. Most electric cookers must be hardwired into a dedicated switch and circuit.
How much does it cost to change from a gas cooker to an electric cooker?
Gas-to-electric conversions in London typically cost £300–£700 or more, since they require a Gas Safe engineer to cap the gas supply plus an electrician to install a new circuit.
How long does electric cooker installation take?
A straightforward swap takes 1–2 hours. Installing a new circuit or converting from gas can take half a day to a full day.
Is induction hob installation more expensive than a standard electric hob?
Not necessarily. Cost depends more on whether your existing circuit can support the hob’s power draw than on whether it’s induction or ceramic.
Does electric cooker installation include removing my old cooker?
Most quotes include disconnecting and removing the old appliance, but it’s worth confirming this with your electrician before booking, since some charge a small extra fee for disposal.
What certificate should I get after installation?
For a like-for-like connection, you should receive a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate. For new circuit work, you should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate confirming compliance with BS 7671.
Is it cheaper to install a freestanding cooker than a built-in one?
Generally yes, since freestanding cookers are quicker to connect and don’t involve fitting into cabinetry, though the difference is usually modest if the circuit already exists.
Final Thoughts
Electric cooker installation cost in London comes down to one main question: do you already have a suitable circuit, or does one need to be installed? A simple swap is one of the cheapest electrical jobs you can book, while a new circuit or gas-to-electric conversion is a bigger investment but a one-off cost that sets your kitchen up for the long term. Always confirm you’re hiring a registered, qualified electrician who will test the work and issue the correct certificate — this protects you legally and keeps your home safe.
If you’re ready to get your electric cooker connected, get a fixed quote from a local registered electrician who can survey your kitchen and confirm the exact price for your circuit and cooker type.