Cooker Hood Repair

⭐ Introduction

A cooker hood, sometimes called an extractor fan or cooker extractor, helps remove cooking smells, smoke, steam, and grease from your kitchen. Over time, these devices can develop faults — the fan might stop working, lights may fail, or controls become unresponsive. Repairing a cooker hood is often needed to keep your kitchen fresh, improve air quality, and maintain a safer cooking environment.

If your cooker hood isn’t extracting properly, making unusual noises, or showing signs of electrical issues, it’s a good idea to get an electrician to assess and fix the problem. This job is important because cooker hoods are connected to your home’s electrical system, and safety regulations must be observed.

🔧 What the job involves

The electrician will start by inspecting the cooker hood and the electrical connections. Common problems include:

• Faulty fan motor or bearings
• Broken switches or controls
• Damaged wiring or connections
• Failed lights or bulbs

Repairs might involve replacing the fan motor, rewiring parts of the unit, or swapping out faulty control panels. The electrician will test the airflow and ensure the unit complies with safety standards.

If the cooker hood is damaged beyond repair, they may recommend replacing it altogether, which should also be installed correctly to Building Regulations standards.

Electrical work on cooker hoods must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations, which covers safe electrical installation in homes. Although cooker hoods usually operate on low voltage, any fixed wiring work or replacement of hardwired units should be done by a qualified professional.

📝 Step-by-step from booking to completion

1. Initial enquiry
   Contact a Gas Safe registered electrician or a qualified electrical contractor who also deals with cooker hood repairs. Provide details of the issue and your cooker hood model if possible.

2. Survey and quote
   The electrician visits your home, inspects the cooker hood, and identifies the problem. They provide a written quote that covers parts, labour, and any other costs.

3. Scheduling the repair
   Agree a convenient date and time for the repair work.

4. Day of works
   The electrician arrives, safely isolates the cooker hood’s electrical supply, carries out repairs or part replacements, and tests the unit for proper operation.

5. Final checks and clean-up
   Reconnect the power, check fan speed and lighting, and tidy up the work area.

6. Certification and paperwork
   The electrician may provide an Electrical Installation Certificate or Minor Works Certificate if rewiring was involved. Keep any documentation for your records.

💷 Main costs to expect

• Labour: Call-out fee plus hourly labour charge (£40–£70 per hour typical)
• Replacement parts: Fan motor, switches, wiring, or other components (£30–£120 depending on part)
• Testing and certification: If rewiring or alterations were done (£50–£80)
• Disposal: Small charge if old parts or units need removing (£10–£20)
• Extras: Possible additional charges for difficult access or after-hours work

Example:

Cost element	Typical price
Labour (2 hours)	£80–£140
Fan motor replacement	£60–£100
Testing & certification	£50
Disposal	£15
Total (estimate)	£205–£305 + VAT

📊 What affects the price

• Difficulty accessing the hood (e.g. high-level units, limited kitchen space)
• Complexity of the fault or whether parts are widely available
• Whether the hood is hardwired or plugged in
• Any rewiring or electrical installation work needed (Part P compliance)
• Whether it’s a simple repair or requires complete unit replacement
• Location of your property (some areas charge more for travel)
• Urgency or emergency call-outs outside normal hours

⏱ How long does it take?

• Simple repairs (e.g. replacing a light bulb or switch): 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Standard fan motor replacement: 1 to 2 hours
• Complex fault-finding or major repairs: up to 3 hours
• Full cooker hood replacement and installation: 2 to 4 hours

Most common repairs can be completed in a single visit.

🏠 Can you DIY it?

While changing a cooker hood light bulb or cleaning filters is fine for most homeowners, electrical repairs or motor replacements are not suitable for DIY. The cooker hood is connected to the electrical supply and often fixed to walls or cabinets, so incorrect handling can cause electric shock or fire risks.

Additionally, any fixed wiring work must comply with Part P and is best left to a qualified electrician, who can provide certification ensuring your home remains safe and insured.

Avoid DIY cooker hood repairs unless you have the proper electrical qualifications and experience.

💰 Typical UK price range

Most cooker hood repairs cost between £150 and £350 plus VAT. This covers labour, parts, and any testing required. Prices can be higher if the unit needs replacing or the electrical work is more complex.

Always get a written quote before work starts.

✅ Handy tips before you start

• Ensure you have the cooker hood’s model and make available — useful for ordering parts.
• Switch off the cooker hood before the engineer arrives for safety.
• Clear the area around the cooker hood to allow easy access.
• Ask your electrician for documentation of any electrical work done for future reference.
• Check if your cooker hood has any manufacturer’s warranty before commissioning repairs — repairs during warranty might be free or cheaper.
• Plan for regular cleaning and servicing to keep your cooker hood working efficiently (clean grease filters monthly).
• Keep all receipts and certificates in a safe place; these could be useful for home insurance or if you sell your property.

If you suspect your cooker hood needs repair or is not functioning correctly, contacting a qualified professional promptly will help maintain a safe and comfortable kitchen environment.