Most new ovens and cooktops are hard wired, not plugged in, and a big induction cooktop can draw more current than the circuit it is replacing was ever designed for. Checking that before the appliance arrives saves a lot of frustration on install day.
We connect wall ovens, cooktops and freestanding ranges, run new kitchen circuits, and check your switchboard has the capacity and protection for the load. If you are swapping gas for induction, we handle the electrical side and work alongside your gasfitter.
Pricing: a free quote and a fixed price agreed before we start. You get a written, itemised quote, and small jobs can be quoted from photos.
Check the circuit before you buy
Every oven and cooktop has a rated load on its data plate and in the installation manual. Compare that with the circuit you have. An older kitchen might have a single circuit shared by the oven and an old ceramic hob, sized for a much smaller load than a modern induction cooktop with a boost function.
Send us the model numbers of the new appliances and a photo of your switchboard, and we will tell you whether the existing circuit can be reused or a new one is needed. That one step usually decides the price of the job.
- Wall oven installation and replacement
- Induction and ceramic cooktop connection
- Freestanding range connection
- New dedicated kitchen circuits
- Isolating switches near the cooktop
- Switchboard capacity checks
Induction cooktops: what the wiring needs
Consumer NZ's account of switching from gas to induction is a useful real example. Their induction cooktop drew 32 amps, so it could not run on the house's 20 amp circuits. The electrician ran a dedicated 6 mm cable to a 32 amp breaker on the switchboard and fitted a separate isolation switch for the hob within reach of the cooktop.
Some lower powered induction models stay under 20 amps, but Consumer NZ notes they cannot run every element at full power at once. If your switchboard has no room for a new breaker, or the main supply is already heavily loaded, a switchboard upgrade may need to come first.
How It Works
Gas to electric conversions
Swapping a gas hob for induction is two jobs. A licensed gasfitter disconnects and caps the gas supply, and an electrician installs the new circuit and connects the cooktop. We can coordinate both so the kitchen is out of action for as short a time as possible.
For a sense of scale, Consumer NZ reported a total of $1,173 including GST for its 1920s house, covering the new circuit and the gas disconnection, with about 5 to 6 hours on site. That is one household's bill, not our price. Older homes with long cable runs may cost more.
Wall ovens and freestanding ranges
Replacing a wall oven like for like is often straightforward: we disconnect the old oven, check the cable and connection unit, and connect the new one to its existing supply if it is suitable. Where the new oven draws more, or moves to a new tower or position, a new cable or circuit is needed.
Freestanding ranges combine oven and cooktop in one appliance and usually connect through a single wall connection. We check that connection, the cable size and the breaker against the range's rating before it goes in.
Kitchen renovations
During a kitchen renovation, the oven and cooktop are only part of the picture. Benches need enough power points, rangehoods need power and ducting, and islands need outlets and sometimes lighting. Planning it all together means one set of cable runs while the walls are open.
We work from your kitchen designer's plan, confirm appliance specifications, and coordinate with your builder for pre-wire and fit-off. Our pages on power points and extractor fans cover those parts of the kitchen in more detail.
Certificates and what it costs
A new circuit or new fixed wiring for an oven or cooktop comes with a Certificate of Compliance. Homeowners are allowed to connect and disconnect fixed wired appliances on their own home under the Electricity (Safety) Regulations, but checking the circuit rating is the part that matters, and that is a job for a licensed electrician.
The price depends on whether the existing circuit can be reused, the distance from the switchboard to the kitchen, access under the floor or in the roof, and any switchboard work. Send us the model numbers and a photo of your board and we will give you a fixed price.
Why Choose Cheeky's Electrical for Oven Installation
Circuit checked before install day
We confirm the appliance ratings against your circuit and board before it arrives, so there are no install day surprises.
Gas to electric, coordinated
We line up the electrical work with your gasfitter so your kitchen is out of action for as little time as possible.
Fixed price from model numbers
Send the appliance model numbers and a switchboard photo for a firm written price.
Renovation friendly
We work to your kitchen plan and fit around your builder's programme.
Oven Installation FAQs
Can I plug in an induction cooktop?
Most full size induction cooktops are hard wired. Consumer NZ's example needed a dedicated 32 amp circuit with 6 mm cable and an isolation switch near the hob.
Will my existing oven circuit work for a new induction cooktop?
Sometimes. It depends on the cooktop's rating and the existing cable and breaker. Send us the model number and we will check.
Do I need a gasfitter to remove my gas hob?
Yes. Gas disconnection and capping is done by a licensed gasfitter. We can coordinate with them.
Do I need a switchboard upgrade for induction?
Only if your board has no room for a new breaker, lacks suitable protection, or your supply is already heavily loaded. We check before quoting.
How long does an oven or cooktop installation take?
A like for like swap is often quick. A new circuit takes longer. Consumer NZ's induction install took about 5 to 6 hours.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes, for any new circuit or fixed wiring. You receive a Certificate of Compliance to keep with your house records.
Oven Installation Near You
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