Gas Cooker Installation: The Rules, Who Can Fit It and How Long
Only a Gas Safe registered engineer can legally connect a gas cooker. What the law says, what the engineer checks, how long fitting takes and how to get your kitchen ready.
A gas cooker must be connected by a Gas Safe registered engineer. That is a legal requirement under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and it applies even to a like-for-like swap where the old cooker plugged into the same bayonet point. A straightforward replacement usually takes around an hour. The engineer connects the cooker, fits a stability bracket or chain on a freestanding model, tests the gas supply for leaks and checks every burner. Allow longer if a new gas pipe has to be run to the cooker position.
Key Takeaways
- Connecting or disconnecting a gas cooker is gas work, so it must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- A like-for-like freestanding swap on an existing bayonet point is usually about an hour's work.
- Freestanding cookers on a flexible hose need a stability bracket or chain so they cannot tip forward.
- The engineer should test for leaks after connecting and check that every burner lights and burns properly.
- Moving the cooker or running a new supply takes longer and may affect ventilation and positioning rules.
A gas cooker must be connected by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 treat connecting or disconnecting a gas appliance as gas work, so this applies to a like-for-like swap on the same bayonet point as much as to a brand-new supply. A straightforward replacement is usually about an hour's work: the engineer connects the cooker, secures it, tests the supply for leaks and checks every burner. Anything more, such as moving the cooker or running a new gas pipe, takes longer.
If you are fitting a separate hob rather than a freestanding cooker, see our gas hob installation service, which covers built-in hobs and ovens.
What the law says
- Only a Gas Safe registered engineer can do gas work. This includes connecting, disconnecting, moving or adjusting a gas cooker. It is illegal for anyone else to do it for payment, and unsafe for anyone to do it themselves.
- The engineer must be registered for cookers. Gas Safe engineers carry an ID card that lists the types of work they are qualified for. Check the back of the card, or look them up on the Gas Safe Register website. Our guide on checking a Gas Safe engineer shows you how.
- Landlords have extra duties. A gas cooker supplied by a landlord is included in the annual gas safety check. See our gas safety certificate guide.
What happens on the day
- Disconnecting the old cooker. The engineer turns off the supply, disconnects the old appliance and caps the point if the new one is not going straight in.
- Checking the supply. They check the existing bayonet point and hose. A worn or kinked hose should be replaced rather than reused.
- Positioning and securing. The cooker goes into place, levelled, and a freestanding model is secured with a stability bracket or chain.
- Connecting and testing. After connection the engineer runs a tightness test on the gas installation to check for leaks.
- Commissioning. Every hob burner, the grill and the oven are lit and checked for a stable flame, and the flame safety devices are checked so the gas cuts off if a flame goes out.
- Handover. You should be shown how the controls work and given the manufacturer's instructions to keep.
How long gas cooker installation takes
| Job | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Freestanding cooker, like-for-like, existing bayonet point | About 1 hour |
| Range cooker on an existing point | 1 to 2 hours, depending on access and levelling |
| Built-in gas oven and separate hob | 1 to 3 hours |
| New gas pipe to a new cooker position | Half a day or more, depending on the route |
| Converting from an electric cooker to gas | Depends on how far the gas supply has to run |
Our rate is £95 an hour, and the £60 call-out fee is waived on jobs that run over 2 hours. If you are also moving the gas meter as part of a kitchen refit, read about gas meter relocation, which involves your gas supplier as well.
Positioning, stability and ventilation
The manufacturer's installation instructions are the starting point. The engineer will check:
- Clearances. Minimum gaps to the side walls, units and anything above the hob, such as a cooker hood or shelf.
- Nearby curtains and windows. Soft furnishings near burners are a fire risk, and a draught can blow a flame out.
- Stability. A freestanding cooker must not be able to tip forward, which is why the bracket or chain matters, especially with children in the home.
- The hose. A flexible cooker hose should be the right length, not stretched or trapped, and hang freely behind the cooker without touching hot surfaces.
- Ventilation. Cooking burns gas in the room. Most kitchens need an openable window or similar, and small rooms may need more. The instructions state what is required.
Every home with gas appliances should have a working carbon monoxide alarm. Our guide to carbon monoxide detectors explains where to put one.
How to get ready for the engineer
- Have the new cooker unpacked, with its instructions, and the old one pulled out if you can do so safely without straining the hose.
- Make sure there is clear space in front of the cooker position and nothing stored behind it.
- Tell us the make, model and type when you book, so the engineer brings the right hose and bracket.
- If the cooker is dual fuel, check there is a suitable electrical outlet for it. A high-powered electric oven may need its own circuit, which is a job for an electrician.
Need a gas cooker connected?
Tell us the make and model and whether it goes where the old one was. A Gas Safe registered engineer will connect, secure and test it, and show you it is working safely.
📞 Call 020 7870 3200Or read about our Gas Safe engineers and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a gas cooker myself?
No. Connecting or disconnecting a gas cooker is gas work, and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require it to be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. That applies even when the cooker plugs into an existing bayonet connection.
How long does it take to fit a gas cooker?
A like-for-like replacement of a freestanding cooker on an existing gas point usually takes around an hour, including testing. A range cooker, a built-in oven and hob, or a job that needs a new gas pipe run to the cooker takes longer.
Do gas cookers need a stability chain?
A freestanding cooker connected with a flexible hose needs a stability bracket or chain, as set out in the manufacturer's instructions, so it cannot tip forward if someone leans on an open oven door or the hose is strained.
Can a gas cooker go next to a window?
It depends on the distances in the manufacturer's instructions. Curtains or blinds near the hob are a fire risk, and a draught from an opening window can blow out burners. The engineer will check the clearances before connecting.
Will the engineer take my old cooker away?
The engineer will safely disconnect and cap the old one. Removal is not always included, so ask when you book. Many retailers take the old cooker away when they deliver the new one.
Sources and further reading
Source links checked 27 September 2026. Scheme rules and manufacturer instructions can change; use the current official guidance for your account or exact appliance.