Setting up a gas stove in your kitchen is a great way to bring your cooking to a new level. You can turn up the heat from low to high and back in a blink of an eye. It offers much better options for searing, grilling, and simmering. A gas stove is much easier to clean than its electric counterpart. It can accommodate a variety of pots and even specialized pans. Professional chefs enjoy cooking on gas. And the best part about it? Gas is much cheaper than electricity and better for the environment if you have an energy-efficient house.
Two basic options
However, before you can enjoy your brand new gas stove, you should make sure that you can install it in your house. You should have a connection to the main gas line, enough space in the kitchen, and a dedicated supply line with a shut-off valve that you can hook your appliance to.
How much it is going to cost depends on the setup you have and the prices that the installation service providers charge in your area. Of course, you can go the DIY route, but you need to check local codes and ordinances. In some places, homeowner installation is prohibited and you will have to call a certified plumber.
How to install a gas stove yourself
First, you need to check with your local authorities whether homeowner installation is permitted. And if you need to install or remove plumbing before hooking up the stove, you will have to get a permit.
Connecting a gas stove to an existing line is a feasible DIY project if you have previous experience or mechanical training. If you do not, don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber. Safety risks are too great to rush headlong into a project that involves combustible natural gas.
Install a gas stove yourself in 8 steps
- Purchase the right connector for the stove. It should be range-certified. Don’t reuse an old one! It’s a safety risk, plus it might not fit your newer model.
- Close the valve and remove the old appliance. The shut-off valve is either located in your basement or right behind the stove.
- Carefully apply Teflon tape to pipe threads and the end connector fitting.
- Screw the connector into the pipe line.
- If required, screw a street elbow into the gas port (don’t forget to wrap it in Teflon).
- Tighten the connector nuts.
- Turn the shut-off valve back on. Run a gas leak diagnostic with a special detector or by applying liquid soap to the connections. Bubbles will help you spot a leak.
- Push your new stove that you have just connected into its niche. Happy cooking!
If you need to perform gas line installation before hooking up the range, it’s better to call a licensed service provider in your area. But if you are comfortable with plumbing, and are willing to get a permit for your project, you will need to buy 30 inches of pipe (or more), connectors, fittings, and tools, before you can set up the line. Please, do not attempt it if you have no relevant experience.
How much does the DIY gas stove installation cost
The biggest cost difference depends on whether you have a gas line installed already. If you just need to remove your old stove and replace it with a newer one, the costs will be minimal. The DIY approach will require you to spend about $25 – $100 on a wrench, pipe tape, a flexible connector, and a gas leak detector (or you can use some liquid soap).
If your line has already been inspected, you probably won’t need an additional permit for hooking up a stove. Nonetheless, you can play it safe and ask an inspector to come over and check your line. It will set you back $50 – $150.
If you need to install the line and add a shut-off valve before you can hook up the stove, expect to pay about $15 – $25 per linear foot of pipe. You will need to buy a black steel pipe. Two other options are copper and plastic. Copper is prohibited by some local authorities and plastic is used mostly in industrial projects.
Total costs of installing a pipe yourself usually range from $200 to $1000 depending on its length.
How to install a gas stove by hiring a plumber
The safer and more convenient option is to hire your local gas installation provider. You schedule a visit from a master plumber, who can inspect the pipe and its connection to the main, remove the old appliance, install a gas line if needed and hook up your new stove.
It will take a professional from 30 minutes to 4 hours on average depending on whether he needs to remove the old appliance and install an additional vent hood. Many high-end ranges, stoves, and ovens come with vents.
You can save some time and money by removing the old stove yourself. Turn off the valve, carefully disconnect the appliance, and push it away from its niche. When the plumber comes, he will finish his job a bit faster and you will save some money.
How much does the plumbing company charge
Average contractor installation will cost you from $150 to $300, with some estimates placing it as low as $125. According to some sources, plumbers generally charge between $75 to $130 for an hour of labor. More expensive and complicated types of appliances usually take more time and care to install. Outdoors installation will be slightly more expensive as well.
If you need the plumber to run a gas line from the main, ask for an estimate before making a deal. It will include several hours of labor and material costs, depending on the length of the line and the difficulty of access.
Asking a plumber to remove your old appliance will set you back $75.
Conclusion
Hiring a certified plumbing expert is a safer option when you need to install a gas stove, especially if it requires running a line from the main. A professional service provider will also give you a guarantee for his work.