Cooker hood installation in Plymouth

Who usually needs cooker hood installation in Plymouth?

A new kitchen in a Plymouth home can move the hob away from the old vent, so the hood, the duct run and the wall grille all need rethinking together.

If your Plymouth kitchen has an older open-flued boiler, fitting a stronger hood needs care, as it can affect the flue and should be followed by a spillage test. Homes right across Plymouth are covered, as are nearby places such as Plymstock, Saltash and the villages in between.

What is included in the work?

After the survey visit we write the scope down. For cooker hood installation in Plymouth it usually covers:

Spillage test by a Gas Safe registered engineer where an open-flued appliance is present
Island and ceiling hoods fixed into the ceiling structure by two people
Survey of the hob position, duct route, outside wall and any open-flued appliance
Power supply connected by an electrician and tested to BS 7671
Short, straight runs of rigid ducting wherever the route allows
Hood fixed at the height set by the hood and hob manufacturers

Cooker hood installation prices in Plymouth

These guide ranges include VAT at 20% and are adjusted for prices in the South West. We confirm your price in writing after a free survey visit. Costs in the South West sit close to the national guide.

Cooker hood installation prices in Plymouth
Typical project	Guide price
Like-for-like cooker hood swapSame position and ducting	£120–£250
New ducted hood through an outside wallCore drilling, ducting run and external grille	£310–£930
Island or ceiling hood installedTwo-person install, fixings to the ceiling structure	£310–£650
Recirculating hood fittedNo ducting; carbon filters need replacing	£120–£310

Guide ranges cover fitting and connection with standard ducting through a straightforward wall; long or concealed duct runs, ceiling repairs, new electrical spurs, spillage tests and the hood itself are priced separately. Prices include VAT at 20%.

House types around Plymouth and what they mean for a kitchen

Typical homes in this part of Devon include cob and thatched cottages, Victorian terraces, post-war houses and flats and seaside bungalows. Victorian terraces in Exeter and Torbay often have a narrow back kitchen, while post-war houses and seaside bungalows usually have a square room that suits an L-shape.

Single-track lanes, steep town streets and cottages with no parking can make deliveries slow, so long worktops and tall units need a planned route into the house. Much of Devon has soft mains water, which is kind to taps and appliances, though some eastern parts are harder, so check with your supplier.

Regulations for kitchen work in Plymouth

In England, Approved Document F guidance for kitchen extract is about 30 litres per second from a cooker hood extracting outside, or 60 litres per second from a fan elsewhere in the room. A recirculating hood does not remove moisture, so another means of extract is usually needed. A new vent through the outside wall of a flat may need planning permission and the freeholder's consent, and an open-flued gas appliance in the room calls for a spillage test.

Homes within Dartmoor or Exmoor national parks, listed thatched cottages and conservation areas may need consent before a new extractor vent goes through an outside wall.

Tips before you start

If your Plymouth home is listed, or in a building with strict rules on outside changes, check what is allowed before any hole is cut for a duct.
Before choosing a hood for your Plymouth kitchen, find the nearest outside wall to the hob, because the shorter the duct run, the better the extraction.
Ask for rigid ducting rather than flexible hose wherever the route allows, as it moves more air, gathers less grease and is usually quieter.
For an island or ceiling hood, find out what is above the ceiling, as joists or added timbers are needed to carry the weight securely.

Questions about cooker hood installation in Plymouth

How much does cooker hood installation cost in Plymouth?

Cooker hood installation in Plymouth typically costs £120 to £250 including VAT for a like-for-like cooker hood swap, based on prices in the South West. Larger or more involved jobs cost more, and your price is fixed in writing after a free survey visit.

Which parts of Plymouth do you work in?

All of them. Our Devon coverage takes in the whole of Plymouth, including the PL2 and PL4 postcode districts, as well as surrounding towns such as Plymstock. If you are unsure, send us your postcode.

Should I choose a ducted or a recirculating cooker hood?

A ducted hood is usually more effective, because it takes steam, smoke and smells outside. A recirculating hood passes air through grease and carbon filters and returns it to the room, so it deals with grease and smells but not moisture, and another means of extract is usually needed. Recirculating suits kitchens with no practical duct route, and its carbon filters need replacing.

How high should a cooker hood be above the hob?

At least the minimum distance given by the manufacturers. Both the hood and the hob instructions set a minimum gap between them, and where they differ the greater figure should be used. Gas hobs usually need more clearance than induction. A hood fitted too low is a fire risk, while one fitted much higher than recommended captures less steam.

Can a ducted cooker hood be fitted in a flat?

Often, but check consents first. A new vent through the outside wall of a flat may need planning permission and the freeholder's written consent, and some leases do not allow it at all. Where an outside vent is not possible, a recirculating hood can be fitted, with a separate extract fan or other ventilation dealing with moisture. Listed buildings may also need listed building consent.

Also covering nearby towns

The same service is available a short drive from Plymouth, including: