QUESTIONS
Which trade will install a new cooker hood?
Updated 07/26
By: Olivia Scammell
Reviewed: Content Team
Short answer: an electrician, in most cases. But the full picture depends on whether you're swapping like-for-like or changing how the hood vents, since that changes both who can do it and what else is involved.
Which trade to book for your specific situation
Why ducted hoods need more than just an electrician
What's different about a like-for-like swap
Whether you need any certification or sign-off
Roughly what it costs
What to check before you book
Find an electrician near you
Who installs a cooker hood?
An electrician is the right call if:
The hood is hardwired rather than plugged into a socket
You need a new socket, fused spur, or any change to the existing electrics
You're moving the hood to a different position on the wall or under a unit
A kitchen fitter or competent handyperson may be able to handle it instead if:
You're swapping an old hood for a new one in exactly the same spot
The existing socket or wiring connection is already there and unchanged
No ducting or venting changes are needed
You'll need someone with a core drill (often an electrician, kitchen fitter, or plumber, since several trades carry this kit) if the hood is ducted and needs a new hole through an external wall or ceiling to vent outside. This is usually done early in a kitchen renovation, before units go in, since it's a messy job.
In practice, on a full kitchen fit-out, it's common for a builder or kitchen fitter to physically mount the hood and cut any ducting hole, then bring in an electrician to connect it up and certify the electrical work. That's a normal, sensible split of labour rather than a sign something's gone wrong with your quote.
If your kitchen fitter offers to "just wire it in" themselves, ask whether they're actually qualified to do so, or whether an electrician will check and sign off the connection. It's a fair question, and any reputable fitter should have a straightforward answer.
Ducted vs recirculating: why it changes the job
Ducted (extraction) hoods vent steam and cooking odours outside through ductwork, usually through an external wall or up through the ceiling. This needs a hole cut with a core drill, and the ducting run planned around joists, cavity walls, and any nearby pipework or cabling.
Recirculating hoods pull air through a filter and release it back into the kitchen instead of venting outside. They're simpler to install since there's no ducting involved, but they don't remove moisture from the room, only some odour and grease.
If you're not sure which type suits your kitchen, particularly in a flat or a room without easy access to an external wall, our guide on why a recirculating cooker hood might suit your kitchen covers the trade-offs.
If you're changing more than just the hood itself, like moving the extractor fan position or the cable supplying your cooker, it's worth planning both jobs with your electrician at the same time to avoid paying for two separate visits.
Do I need any certification for this work?
If the job only involves plugging in or hardwiring a straightforward, like-for-like replacement, there's usually nothing extra to arrange. But if the work involves a new circuit or significant alteration to the kitchen's electrics, it can fall under the same notifiable-work rules that cover other domestic electrical jobs. Our guide to getting a Part P certificate explains when that applies and what paperwork you should expect.
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends heavily on whether it's a straightforward swap or a new ducted installation. For a general steer:
Our extractor fan installation cost guide covers ducted and recirculating installation pricing.
Our electrician hourly rate guide gives a general sense of call-out and labour costs if it's a smaller job.
If your existing hood just needs fixing rather than replacing, our cooker hood repair cost guide is the better starting point.
How to install an extractor fan through a wall
Looking to install an extractor fan through a wall? Follow this expert guide to learn how to complete this job to a professional standard.
Before you book
Frequently asked questions
Yes, for a straightforward like-for-like swap using an existing socket or connection. If any fixed wiring needs adding or altering, that part needs a qualified electrician.
Not necessarily, if you're simply plugging it into an existing, suitable socket. If a new socket or spur is needed, or the hood is hardwired, get an electrician.
Several trades carry the core drill needed, including electricians, kitchen fitters, and plumbers. It's worth confirming who's doing this specifically when you book, since not every trade carries this equipment.
Yes, since there's no ducting or external hole to cut. It's a good option where running a duct to outside isn't practical, though it doesn't remove moisture from the kitchen the way a ducted hood does.
Only if the work involves a new circuit or other notifiable electrical work. A simple like-for-like swap typically doesn't. See our Part P certificate guide for the detail.
If you're confident with DIY and it's a straightforward, plug-in, like-for-like swap, some people do. Anything involving fixed wiring, a new circuit, or cutting through an external wall is best left to a qualified professional.
Find an electrician near you
See the tradespeople we've checked for your job