How much does gas installation at home cost? [2024]

Gas is a staple for many Australian homes with gas appliances like stovetops and water heaters being a common part of households. There is a shift happening in Australia though with some states already looking to ban gas in the coming years. 

If you are looking to add gas to your house your first question is likely to be how much does it gas installation cost?

Gas installation in the home costs anywhere from $1200 - $5000, depending on how many outlets you want, how much pipework is involved and the type of walls you have (brick, or plasterboard) as well as ease of access.

To help make your decision easier, here's what you need to know about installing gas in your home.

• How do I switch to gas?
• Installing natural gas
• Installing LPG gas
• How much does it cost to install gas in my home?
• Does my gasfitter need to be licensed?
• Hiring a gasfitter

How do I switch to gas?

Installing gas in your home is relatively easy. Only two things are required: a gas connection and gas appliances. Many homeowners originally make the switch when they renovate their kitchens and want to cook with gas. Others make the switch when they need to replace their electric hot water heaters.

Many states are looking to ban gas though, and there are incentives in ACT for using other alternatives. States like Victoria are also looking like they are phasing out gas in residential buildings as well. 

Installing natural gas

First, find out if natural gas is available in your area. If it is, contact your local energy supplier and find out what you need to do to have it attached to your home. In many cases, a gas line can be installed for a nominal fee, from the gas main on your street to a point in your home with a gas metre. This may vary depending on the amount of work required at your property or the state you live in. 

You may also have to wait for several weeks to have your gas line installed. Your energy provider will tell you how long the waiting period is in your area. A licensed gasfitter can then connect from this point to outlets in your home. Once they finish, they will need to provide a certificate of compliance for each new gas installation after the gas installation is completed.

If natural gas is not available in your area, you will need to contact an LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) company and make arrangements to have a gas bottle delivered to your home and connected to your appliances. Most LPG services offer bottle exchange programs. 

Your gas bottle will cost you nothing and you will pay for the gas on an as-needed or monthly basis. You will probably also need to pay an annual "facility fee" to cover the costs associated with replacing and maintaining gas cylinders.

Again, you'll need to have your gas appliances connected by a licensed gasfitter.

Alternatives to gas stovetops

If you’re worried about gas being phased out and want an alternative to a gas stovetop, there are several options available. Electric has long been the rival of gas stovetops as it is another cheap alternative to cooking with an open flame in the kitchen. If your concern is environmental, then electricity is not much better than gas (unless you have solar panels) but it is easier to clean and less of a fire hazard than a gas stovetop. 

The popular alternative these days is induction cooktops. Quicker to heat and cool down than either gas or electric, induction works by heating the pan or pot rather than the surface. It allows precision control and has an easy-to-clean surface (we’ve all had to struggle cleaning all the bumps and grooves of a gas stovetop). Induction cooktops usually cost between $650 - $2,200 to install. 

Alternatives to gas water heating

Alternatives to gas water heating come in a similar variety. Electric water heaters can be a bit more of a drain but these days solar water heaters are getting more affordable and more efficient. Rooftop solar collectors can cover between 50% - 100% of a household’s hot water needs with electricity or gas as a backup for when the sun’s not shining. 

For a solution that works in winter and at night, solar heat pumps are also a cheaper and more efficient system of water heating. They use ambient heat in the air and reduce electricity costs, and environmental impact, by up to 75%. 

How much does it cost to install gas in my home?

Several factors will influence the cost of your job, specifically:

• How many outlets you want
• How much pipework is involved
• Ease of access, for example under your floorboards
• Type of walls you have (brick, plasterboard etc)

Because every installation and property is different it is difficult to give ballpark costs for this job. Taking into account the price of copper piping, the hourly rate plumbers and gasfitters charge, expect to be quoted anywhere from $1,200 to $5,000+ to have gas installed in your home.

Expect gasfitters to charge between $70 and $110 per hour for labour. They may also charge a call-out fee of up to $100. In practice, the callout fee would include the first 30 minutes of labour, and the hourly rate thereafter. Per hour, expect to pay around: 

Average installation cost per hour

• NSW - $70 – $90
• VIC - $70 – $90
• WA - $90 – $110
• SA - $70 – $90
• ACT - $75 – $95

For other gas appliances, expect to be charged:

• $1,650 for the supply and installation of a Rheem Stellar 330 gas hot water system, including removal of the old unit
• $1,840 for supply and installation of a Bosch 26e continuous gas hot water heater, including fittings and 4 metres of copper piping (installation of a power point not included)
• $300 - $1000 for a gas cooktop, these are usually more expensive upfront than electric but cost less to maintain. 

Remember that if your installation involves any extra work or alterations you will be charged more.

Ongoing costs of gas 

Once your gas is installed, there will usually be quarterly bills from your gas provider. This includes a connection charge as well as a usage charge. These can vary from state to state:

Average Quarterly Gas Bill

• Western Australia - $122
•  Queensland - $168
•  New South Wales - $179
•  Victoria - $186
•  South Australia - $208

Unfortunately, with the unrest in 2022, it looks like 2023 and onwards will see hikes in gas prices as some providers are raising these to double or even triple the rates posted above. These prices are another reason many Australians are transitioning to solar or other alternatives to save some money on their energy bills. 

Does my gasfitter need to be licensed?

Yes, all gasfitters need to be licensed to advertise their services and carry out any work in your home.

This applies countrywide and includes work on LPG and natural gas systems and appliances. Some plumbers may also be licensed as gasfitters, though you should always check they have the necessary expertise before you hire them. Gasfitters are also obliged to provide you with a "compliance certificate" that confirms the work has been done to the required specifications and standards.

What to ask your gasfitter

When it comes time to hire a gasfitter make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask them include:

• Are you appropriately qualified, accredited or licensed?
• Do you hold valid insurance (professional indemnity and public liability insurance)?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• How long will my job take?
• Do you have references I can follow up on?

Getting quotes from gasfitters

The best way of finding out the cost of your project is to get quotes from local gasfitters. This will give you a sense of what market rates currently are.

When reviewing gas fitting quotes, you should ascertain what the price includes, as well as identify any work that will cost extra. Best to check with your gasfitter before work begins and avoid a dispute. And lastly, remember that the lowest quote isn’t always the one to go with. Check each quote and select a gasfitter who you feel can – and is qualified to – do the job.

You might also like to read: Emergency Gas Repairs