Do You Need a Gas Safe Engineer to Fit a Gas Cooker?
By Adrian Plumbing & Heating Ltd
In short
Yes. Any new or replacement gas cooker or hob must be fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer, who also checks the installation for gas leaks and correct operation before you use it. Fitting it yourself, or asking someone who isn't registered, isn't allowed and puts your household at risk.
On this page
By Adrian Plumbing & Heating Ltd
Does a gas cooker or hob need a Gas Safe engineer?
Yes. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations say you must use a Gas Safe registered engineer to install any new or replacement gas cooker. A retailer's guide that sets this out describes the same rule for any new gas appliance, and a manufacturer's guide says ovens and hobs must be fitted, fixed or serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
That covers freestanding gas cookers, built-in gas ovens and gas hobs. The gas supply, the connection and the safety checks are all gas work. They are not a job for a handy friend, a kitchen fitter who isn't Gas Safe registered, or you.
Why is a brand-new cooker checked too?
It is easy to assume a new appliance arrives ready to use. In practice, a new appliance may not have its hose fitted correctly from the factory or from transit, and components can loosen during delivery. That is why the installation has to be checked for gas leaks and correct operation before anyone uses it.
At Adrian Plumbing & Heating, Adrian is Gas Safe registered (registration number 563742) and has over 20 years' experience. We install gas cookers and gas hobs, and we treat that final check as the most important part of the job.
How to check an engineer is registered
Whoever you choose, check before the work starts. This takes two minutes.
- Ask to see the engineer's Gas Safe ID card. It shows their registration number.
- Check the number on the Gas Safe Register website before you book.
- If anything doesn't match, don't let the work go ahead. Call another registered engineer instead.
Engineers who work without registration are breaking the law, and the work could put lives at risk. Asking for ID is normal, and any registered engineer will expect it.
What to have ready before the visit
You don't need to do any gas work to prepare. A few simple things help the visit go smoothly:
- The make and model of the new cooker or hob, and whether it replaces a gas appliance or goes somewhere new
- Clear access to where the appliance will sit, with the area cleared of clutter
- Anything the manufacturer supplied with the appliance, including the installation instructions
- A note of any questions you have for the engineer
Please don't disconnect or move an existing gas hob or cooker yourself. Leave that to the engineer, who can do it safely and check the connection afterwards.
What to expect on the day
The engineer connects the appliance and then checks the installation for gas leaks and correct operation before you use it. That check is not optional, and you shouldn't switch the appliance on until it has been done.
Before the engineer leaves, ask them to show you how the controls work and how to turn the appliance off. If anything about the installation looks or smells wrong afterwards, stop using it and call the engineer back. Keep the manufacturer's instructions somewhere safe, because they are useful if you ever need another visit.
Who should do what
Swipe or scroll to compare →| Job | Who should do it |
|---|---|
| Fitting a new or replacement gas cooker or hob | A Gas Safe registered engineer |
| Checking the engineer's registration | You, before the work starts |
| Leak testing after the installation | The engineer, before you use the appliance |
| Smell of gas | Leave the property and call 0800 111 999 |
When to call straight away
If you smell gas, or you are worried about any gas appliance in your home, don't wait for a convenient time.
Gas safety: If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, do not operate any switches, lights or flames. Leave the property, get to fresh air, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 from outside the building. If someone feels unwell, seek medical help or call 999.
Getting a gas cooker or hob fitted
If you are planning a new cooker or hob, our pages on gas cooker installation and gas hob installation explain what we do. Adrian discusses the job with you first, then agrees a visit or a quotation, and quotes are free. We cover Grays, Upminster, Hornchurch, Basildon and surrounding areas, and you can see more on our Grays page.
If your boiler is also due some attention, our guide to getting a boiler service quote is a useful read before you ring around.
Call Adrian on 07899 728506 or request a callback at adrianplumbingandheating.co.uk
Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance only. Always follow your appliance manufacturer's instructions and use an appropriately qualified professional for gas, electrical and plumbing work. Gas work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fit a gas hob or cooker myself?
No. A new or replacement gas cooker must be installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer, who also checks the installation for leaks and correct operation before it is used.
How do I check that an engineer is Gas Safe registered?
Ask to see their Gas Safe ID card, which shows a registration number, and check that number on the Gas Safe Register website before you book.
Do you fit both gas cookers and gas hobs?
Yes. Adrian installs gas cookers and gas hobs as part of his gas work around Grays and nearby areas.
Why does a new cooker need a leak check?
A new appliance may not have its hose fitted correctly from the factory or from transit, and parts can loosen during delivery. The engineer checks the installation for gas leaks and correct operation before it is used.
What should I do if I smell gas?
Do not operate any switches, lights or flames. Leave the property, get to fresh air and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 from outside the building.
