Adding an induction hob to your kitchen? You might be wondering if you’ll need to call an electrician when installation day for your new induction hob arrives.
Do I need an electrician to install an induction hob? The answer actually depends on the specific type of induction hob you buy. Hold off on booking that electrician until you read this!
Do I Need an Electrician to Install an Induction Hob?
Yes, it’s very likely you will need an electrician to install your induction hob. Let’s cover the two scenarios that will play out once you’ve decided on the best induction hob for your kitchen.
When You Don’t Need an Electrician to Install an Induction Hob
Not all induction hobs require professional electricians. Some 13 amp induction hobs actually feature standard plugs that make them as easy to install as nearly any plug-and-go appliance.
This means that these induction hobs “activate” like any other appliance in your kitchen. There are pros and cons to this hob type.
Yes, you get the freedom to install the hob on your own without any fancy wiring. However, plug-in induction hobs are often much less powerful than hobs that require professional wiring.
It can also be a bit trickier to actually find plug-in hobs from retailers. Don’t assume that you’ll be able to walk out of the store with one for a same-day installation. In many cases, a hob you just plug in needs to be ordered.
Of course, it never hurts to have an electrician come in to take a look even if you don’t necessarily need assistance with installation.
It’s especially helpful to have an expert take a look at your setup to ensure you aren’t overloading your system with the addition of a new appliance, this is actually a fairly common problem with induction hobs.
What’s more, you may decide that you need a plug moved to accommodate where you plan to put your new appliance.
When You Need an Electrician to Install an Induction Hob
There’s a very good chance the new hob you’re buying does need to be installed by an electrician.
The wiring on hobs can be complex. While you may be tempted to do the installation yourself based on everything from impatience to a desire to save some money, it’s not worth the risk.
One slight mistake can easily create a fire hazard in your home. In addition to potentially harming people and pets, that fire can also cause very expensive damage to your home.
If you took a shortcut by not having an electrician properly install your new hob to code, you may be stuck without coverage from your home’s insurance policy.
Paying a little extra for professional installation is worth its weight in gold when it comes to peace of mind.
How do I Know an Electrician is Qualified to Install an Induction Hob?
Choose an electrician who has an authorised NICEIC registration number and identity card. These are issued by the UK’s National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting. The organisation ensures its licenced members are safely trained to the highest standards.
Always play safe when installing a hard-wired induction hob or any similar electrical appliance. If you think about it, your induction hob is likely to have cost more than any other form of hob. So “why spoil the ship for an ha’porth of tar?” as my great-granddad used to say! Spend that bit extra on a professional installation and you’ll enjoy using a safe induction hob.
When you get your new hob unwrapped, you may notice that it comes with its own cable to connect to your electrical supply.
While this might make it seem like you can easily tackle installation on your own, you actually need knowledge about everything from what type of wiring is present to local codes.
You also need to know if you have the right parts to make safe connections.
Is it Expensive to Install an Induction Hob?
Generally, this is a pretty straightforward and inexpensive job. Don’t be surprised if you get quotes for under £100 from electricians.
In most cases, replacing one hob for another is a clean swap. However, you may need some modifications done to accommodate the newer model that will increase the project cost.
Don’t forget to ask about installation options provided by different retailers when shopping for your new induction hob.
