Oven and cooktop installation
Induction almost always needs its own circuit. That's the bit nobody mentions until the cooktop is sitting on your floor.
The induction circuit problem, explained
This is the single most common surprise in a Hills kitchen renovation, and it's worth understanding before you buy.
A ceramic or radiant electric cooktop draws a moderate load and, in many older kitchens, shares a circuit. An induction cooktop is different: it can pull far more, and it does so in sudden bursts as the elements modulate. Most full-size induction units are specified for a dedicated 32A circuit run directly from the switchboard.
Two things follow from that. First, you almost certainly need a new circuit run, not just a connection. Second — and this is what turns a $600 job into a $3,000 one — that circuit needs a spare way at your switchboard. In a 1970s or 80s Hills home the board is frequently full, which means a switchboard upgrade comes first.
None of this is a reason not to buy induction. It's a reason to find out where you stand before the delivery date rather than after.
What oven and cooktop installation costs
Sydney, 2026. Electrical work only — cabinetry and benchtop cut-outs are separate.
| The job | Price |
|---|---|
| Wall oven, connected to a suitable existing circuitLike-for-like replacement | $180 – $450 |
| Cooktop connected to a suitable existing circuitWhere the circuit is already adequate | $200 – $650 |
| New dedicated 32A circuit for inductionRun from the switchboard. The usual induction requirement | $450 – $900 |
| Switchboard upgrade, where the board is fullNeeded before the new circuit can be added | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Oven and cooktop together, one visitCheaper than two attendances | $350 – $900 |
| Freestanding cooker connectionOften needs its own circuit too — check the rating plate | $250 – $700 |
These are indicative market ranges for Sydney in 2026, not a quote. What you pay depends on your switchboard, access and what we find. We confirm a fixed price before starting, and it doesn't move.
Oven and cooktop questions
Does an induction cooktop need a special circuit?
Almost always. Most full-size induction cooktops require a dedicated circuit, commonly 32A, run directly from the switchboard. This is the main reason induction installs cost more than people expect.
Can I put induction in without upgrading my switchboard?
Only if the board has a spare way and adequate supply capacity. In older Hills homes it frequently doesn't, and the board has to be addressed first. Send us a photo of your board and we'll tell you before you buy.
How much does it cost to install an oven?
$180–$450 for a wall oven onto a suitable existing circuit. Cooktops run $200–$650. Add $450–$900 if a new dedicated circuit is needed, which induction usually requires.
Can you install the oven and the cabinetry cut-out?
We do the electrical work. Benchtop cut-outs and cabinetry are a joiner's job — worth coordinating so the cut-out is done before we arrive rather than after.
Is it cheaper to do the oven and cooktop at once?
Yes, noticeably. One attendance, one set of circuits planned together, and we can see the whole picture rather than working around a decision made last month.
What about gas cooktops?
Gas connection is a licensed gas fitter's work, not ours. We'll do any electrical side — ignition supply, rangehood, downlights — and you'll need a gas fitter for the gas itself.
How do I know what circuit my cooktop needs?
It's on the rating plate and in the installation manual, usually as a maximum connected load in kW or amps. Send us a photo of that page and your switchboard and we can tell you what's involved.
What customers say
Fantastic service! Friendly, efficient and well priced. Highly recommend. Thank you for swiftly fixing our switches.
Jason was great! One call and less than an hour later, he was here to save the day. Five stars for the prompt and reliable service.
Reliable and quality service.
These are Google reviews for our team at Cync Electrical & Automation — the licensed contractor behind Hills Electrician. 5.0 from 20 reviews. — see the profile
Buying a new cooktop?
Send us the rating plate and a photo of your switchboard before delivery. Call 0422 253 379.
Get a quote