Gas hob installation is the most common gas job in Cape Town and the one most often quoted badly, because the hob is the cheap part and the gas line to reach it is not.
New hobs, replacing an existing one, converting from an electric hob, and adding a hob to a kitchen that has never had gas.
Photograph the worktop and where the cylinder could stand outside. Those two pictures are most of the quote.
Get Gas Hob Installation QuotesThree Different Jobs
| Job | What it involves | Indicative range |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement hob, same point | Disconnect, fit new hob, adjust cut-out, test, certify | R1,200 – R2,600 |
| New hob, gas already at the property | Branch or extend the line, isolation valve, fit and certify | R1,600 – R3,200 |
| New hob, no gas at the property | Cylinder, regulator, full line run, valve, fit and certify | R4,500 – R9,500 |
The third is where quotes diverge. A cylinder on the other side of the kitchen wall is a two-metre run. A cylinder that has to stand at the side of the house because that is the only compliant position is fifteen metres of chased copper plus plaster and paint.
Converting From Electric
Swapping an electric hob for gas in an existing kitchen is straightforward mechanically and involves three trades more often than people expect:
- The worktop cut-out is usually a different size, so the granite, quartz or laminate may need modifying by a fabricator
- The gas installer runs the line, fits the isolation valve and connects the hob
- The old electrical supply is isolated and made safe by an electrician, or capped if you may want it back later
Keep the electrical circuit capped rather than stripped out. It costs nothing now and makes reverting to electric, or selling to a buyer who wants electric, far easier.
Cylinder Positioning for a Hob
A hob alone is a modest gas load, so a 9kg or 19kg cylinder is usually adequate. The position still has to meet clearances from windows, doors, drains and boundaries, and in a flat or a small complex this is often the limiting factor rather than the pipe run.
- 9kg suits a hob used daily and typically lasts four to eight weeks
- 19kg lasts noticeably longer and costs less per kilogram to refill
- If a geyser or braai might follow, size the cylinder and line for that now
- A shut-off valve at the hob is fitted as standard and will be checked at certification
Hob Types and What They Change
| Hob | Notes for installation |
|---|---|
| 4-burner standard | The default. Straightforward cut-out and gas load. |
| 5-burner with wok burner | Higher gas draw, and worth checking the line is sized for it |
| Domino or modular | Small units combined, sometimes gas beside induction |
| Gas-on-glass | Looks good, needs a precise cut-out and careful handling |
| Dual fuel with induction zone | Needs both a gas point and an electrical circuit retained |
| Imported brands | Frequently arrive set for natural gas and need LPG jet conversion |
Get the hob, the cut-out and the gas run priced together rather than discovering the extras later.
Compare Gas Hob QuotesShut-Off Valves and Certification
An isolation valve at the appliance is not optional. It lets the hob be disconnected for servicing or replacement without draining the installation, and its absence is one of the more common reasons an older installation fails an inspection.
The installation is pressure tested and a certificate of conformity issued on completion. Replacing a hob later means a new certificate, which is inexpensive because the pipework already exists. More detail on Gas Certificate of Compliance Cape Town.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does gas hob installation cost in Cape Town?
Replacing a hob on an existing gas point commonly runs R1,200 to R2,600, a new hob where gas is already at the property R1,600 to R3,200, and a new hob with a cylinder and a fresh line R4,500 to R9,500. All exclude the hob itself.
Is the hob included in the installation price?
Usually not. Most Cape Town installers price labour, pipework, fittings, the isolation valve and the certificate, and you buy the hob. Some will supply it, occasionally at better than retail, so it is worth asking.
Can I convert my electric hob to gas?
The hob itself cannot be converted, but the kitchen can. A gas hob replaces the electric unit, the worktop cut-out is usually modified, a gas line is run and the old electrical circuit is isolated by an electrician.
Does a gas hob need a certificate?
Yes. Any fixed gas appliance connection is part of a gas installation and a certificate of conformity is issued by the registered installer on completion, and again whenever the hob is replaced.
Will my imported hob work on LPG?
Most will, after conversion to LPG jets. Some manufacturers supply a conversion kit with the appliance and others require it to be ordered. Confirm the kit is available before you buy an unusual brand, because an unconverted hob burns yellow and sooty.
How long does hob installation take?
A replacement on an existing point is one to two hours. A new hob with a short gas run is half a day. A chased run across a finished kitchen is a full day plus the plasterer and painter afterwards.
Can the cylinder go inside the kitchen cupboard?
Almost never. Cylinder positions require clearances from openings, drains and ignition sources and are determined on site against SANS 10087-1. In practice the cylinder ends up outside on an external wall.
Hob installation quotes are arranged free through Gas Installers Cape Town, with several installers pricing the same kitchen.
Related Services
Gas Installers Cape Town is a free quote-matching service. The gas work is carried out by the independent registered installers that quote you, and your contract is with the installer you appoint. Ask each installer for their registration and insurance details before appointing anyone.
Describe the job once and compare quotes from LEADERR APPROVED gas installers covering your area.
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Send a photo of the kitchen and the cylinder position for hob installation quotes.
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