A lot of Wellington homeowners come to us at Paramount Plumbing and Gas after years of cooking on electric and wondering whether gas is worth the switch. The short answer is that it usually is. The process involves more than just swapping out the appliance, though, and the costs vary quite a bit depending on your situation. Here is what we tell every customer who asks us about this job.
Key Takeaways
- Not all Wellington addresses have mains gas. Check availability before assuming you can connect to the mains. LPG is available where mains is not.
- A licensed gasfitter is required by law for all gas hob installations in New Zealand. DIY is not permitted.
- Every installation must include a Certificate of Compliance. You will need it for insurance and when you sell.
- Cost depends on your individual property and how much gas supply work is involved. The figures in this article are rough guidance only, not a quote.
- If you are close to existing Powerco pipes, the mains connection itself is typically free.
Why Wellington Homeowners Switch to Gas
The main reason people make the change is control. Gas burners respond immediately to temperature adjustments, which makes a real difference if you cook regularly. You can go from a rolling boil to a gentle simmer in seconds, something an electric element cannot match.
There is also a practical resilience argument. Wellington’s weather can disrupt power supply. A gas hob keeps working during an outage, as long as the gas line is unaffected.
If you are still weighing up whether gas cooking is right for your household, we cover the full picture in our gas cooking guide, including environmental considerations and running costs.
Step One: Is Mains Natural Gas Available at Your Address?
Before anything else, you need to know whether your property can connect to the mains gas network. In Wellington, the distribution network is owned and operated by Powerco, which covers Wellington City and surrounding suburbs including Johnsonville, Porirua, the Hutt Valley, and surrounding areas.
The fastest way to check is to use Powerco’s address checker via The Gas Hub. If your address is within the network and close to existing gas pipes, connection is typically free. Powerco arranges the installation of the connection and meter, after which you choose a gas retailer.
If mains gas is not available at your address (which applies to some outer suburbs and rural areas around Wellington), LPG (bottled gas) is the alternative. An LPG setup requires a bottle station outside the home and a regulator, and we handle that installation as part of the job. The hob itself needs to be compatible with LPG, or we can convert it.
What the Conversion Actually Involves
The scope of work depends on whether your home already has a gas connection.
If you already have a gas connection and meter:
This is the most straightforward scenario. We run a new gas line from the existing supply to the kitchen (if one is not already in place), connect the hob, perform a leak test, and issue a Certificate of Compliance. Most jobs in this category take half a day.
If your home has no gas connection at all:
We coordinate with Powerco (or arrange an LPG setup) to establish the supply, then run the internal gas line to the kitchen. This takes longer to organise and costs more, but we manage the whole process so you are not dealing with multiple parties.
Either way, the job always includes:
- Running or extending the gas pipe to the hob location
- Fitting the correct regulator and flexible hose connector
- Installing and testing the hob
- Checking ventilation clearances against manufacturer requirements and NZ building code
- A full leak test
- Issuing a Certificate of Compliance (CoC), which is a legal requirement
What Does It Cost?
Every job is different, and the figures below are general guidance only, not a quote. Cost depends primarily on how much work is needed on the gas supply side, how far the pipe needs to run, the age and layout of your home, and which hob you are installing. We always assess your specific situation before pricing.
|
Scenario |
Rough guide only (incl. GST) |
|
Like-for-like swap on an existing gas connection |
$300 to $700 |
|
New gas line run within the home, plus hob installation |
$700 to $1,200 or more |
|
LPG bottle station plus gas line plus hob installation |
$1,000 to $1,500 or more |
|
Powerco mains connection (if close to existing pipes) |
Usually free via The Gas Hub |
These ranges can shift significantly based on your property. A short pipe run in a newer home is a very different job from running gas through an older Wellington villa with limited access. We provide a fixed quote before any work starts, so there are no surprises.
The hob itself is a separate purchase. Entry-level four-burner gas hobs start from around $300, with mid-range models typically falling between $500 and $1,200. We can advise on models that suit your benchtop and gas supply type before you buy.
Why You Cannot DIY This Job
Gas work in New Zealand is licensed and regulated. Under the Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010 and the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006, only a registered or certifying gasfitter can legally install, connect, or certify gas appliances. That includes cooktops.
This is not a technicality. A Certificate of Compliance is required by law for every gas installation, and your insurer may decline claims related to uncertified work. You will also need it if you sell the property.
You can verify any tradesperson’s registration on the PGDB website. Every member of our team holds PGDB registration and we issue a CoC with every gas installation as standard.
For more on what to watch for after installation, our gas safety guide is a good place to start.
What to Sort Out Before You Book
To keep the job moving, it helps to have a few things ready:
- Check your gas supply. Let us know your suburb and we can advise. If you are on LPG already, tell us the bottle set-up.
- Choose your hob before we arrive. Make sure it matches your fuel type (natural gas or LPG) and that the cutout dimensions suit your benchtop. We can check specs before you buy if needed.
- Check rangehood clearance. The manufacturer’s installation manual specifies a minimum clearance between the hob and any overhead extraction. We check this on the day, but it is worth reviewing in advance.
- Allow access to the meter or gas supply point. We need a clear path to run the pipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert from electric to gas hob in Wellington?
Yes, in most cases. If your property is on the Powerco mains network, or if you are happy to use LPG, a conversion is straightforward for a licensed gasfitter. The main variable is whether a new gas line needs to be run to the kitchen.
Do I need a licensed gasfitter to install a gas hob in New Zealand?
Yes. Under New Zealand law, all gas appliance installations must be carried out by a registered or certifying gasfitter. A Certificate of Compliance is required on completion. DIY gas work is illegal regardless of the type of appliance.
Is natural gas available in my Wellington suburb?
Wellington City and surrounding suburbs including Johnsonville, Porirua, and the Hutt Valley are covered by the Powerco gas network. Some outer suburbs and rural areas are not. If you are unsure, get in touch and we can check for you.
How long does a gas hob installation take?
A like-for-like swap on an existing gas connection typically takes half a day. Jobs that involve running a new gas line, coordinating a mains connection, or setting up an LPG system take longer. We give you a realistic timeframe when we quote.
What is a Certificate of Compliance and why do I need one?
A Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is a legal document confirming that a gas installation has been completed to New Zealand safety standards. It is required by law and issued by your gasfitter on completion. You will need it for insurance purposes and when you sell your property. We include it as standard with every job.
Can I use LPG if mains gas is not available at my address? Yes. LPG (bottled gas) is a practical alternative where the mains network does not reach. It requires a bottle station outside the home and a compatible hob. We install and certify LPG setups across the Wellington region.
We Cover All of Wellington
We are based in Ngauranga and our certified gas fitters work across Wellington City, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, and Porirua. Whether you are in Karori, Johnsonville, Island Bay, Newlands, or anywhere in between, we can get to you and get the job done right.
If you are ready to get a quote, get in touch via our contact page and we will walk you through it. To find out more about what our gas fitting service covers first, our Wellington gas fitting service page has the full detail.