Do Plumbers Install Extractor Fans? Here's What Actually Happens

Ever stared at a noisy, greasy extractor fan in your kitchen or bathroom and wondered who should fix it? You’ve probably heard plumbers handle everything from leaks to toilets. So naturally, you might assume they also install extractor fans. But here’s the truth: plumbers don’t typically install extractor fans-and if they say they do, you might be getting a half-job.

Why the Confusion Exists

People mix up plumbers and electricians because both show up at your house to fix things that involve water or air. Extractor fans move air, sure-but they also often vent through walls, roofs, or ducts that connect to plumbing paths. That’s where the confusion starts.

Plumbers are trained to handle water flow: pipes, drains, gas lines, water heaters. They know how to seal joints, slope drains, and prevent leaks. But extractor fans? They’re electrical appliances. They need wiring, circuit connections, and proper grounding. Even if the fan vents into a duct, the duct itself doesn’t make it a plumbing job-it’s still an electrical and ventilation system.

Think of it this way: installing a ceiling light isn’t a plumbing job, even if the light is in the bathroom. Same logic applies here.

Who Actually Installs Extractor Fans?

The right person for extractor fan installation is a licensed electrician-especially if the fan needs to be wired into your home’s circuitry. Most modern extractor fans require a dedicated switch, sometimes a timer or humidity sensor, and must comply with New Zealand electrical codes (AS/NZS 3000).

But here’s the twist: some electricians partner with ventilation specialists or handyman services that handle ducting. If your fan needs a new duct run through the roof or wall, that’s where a builder or ducting technician comes in. But they don’t touch the wiring. That stays with the electrician.

In Auckland, building regulations require that any electrical work in wet areas (like bathrooms) must be done by a licensed electrician. That includes extractor fans. If your fan is plugged into a standard outlet (like some older models), it’s still not a plumber’s job-it’s just a lower-risk electrical task. But even then, a qualified electrician or certified handyman with electrical training should handle it.

When Plumbers Might Get Involved

There are rare cases where a plumber might be part of the team. For example:

• If the extractor fan vents into a plumbing stack (like an old-style vent pipe that also carries sewer gas), a plumber might need to check if the connection is safe and sealed.
• If you’re doing a full bathroom renovation and moving pipes, the plumber might coordinate with the electrician on where to run the duct and wiring together.
• If the fan is part of a heat recovery system that connects to a gas boiler or hot water system, a plumber might be on-site-but still not installing the fan itself.

In none of these cases is the plumber installing the fan’s motor, wiring it up, or testing the airflow. Their role is purely supportive. The fan? Still the electrician’s domain.

What Happens If a Plumber Installs It Anyway?

Some plumbers offer “full home services” and will install extractor fans because they’re trying to be convenient. But here’s the risk: if something goes wrong-like a short circuit, a tripped breaker, or worse, a fire-you’re not covered.

New Zealand’s electrical safety laws require that all fixed electrical installations be performed by a licensed electrician. If you get an unlicensed person to wire your extractor fan and something fails, your home insurance could deny your claim. That’s not hypothetical. In 2024, the Electrical Workers Registration Board in New Zealand reported 17 cases of non-compliant fan installations linked to insurance disputes.

Even if the fan works fine at first, inspectors during a home sale or renovation audit can shut it down if they find it wasn’t installed by a licensed electrician. That’s a $500+ fix you didn’t budget for.

What About DIY Extractor Fan Installation?

You might think, “I’m handy-I’ll just do it myself.” But unless you’re a licensed electrician, you can’t legally wire a fixed extractor fan in New Zealand. Even replacing a fan with an identical model requires a licensed person to certify the work.

Why? Because extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens are classified as “fixed electrical equipment.” That means they’re permanently wired, not plug-in. The law doesn’t care if you’re good with tools-it cares about safety standards.

There’s one exception: plug-in extractor fans (like small window units). Those you can install yourself. But they’re weak, noisy, and don’t vent properly through walls. Most homeowners regret buying them after a month.

How to Know You’re Hiring the Right Person

Here’s a quick checklist before you hire anyone:

1. Ask for their Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) license number. Verify it at ewrb.govt.nz (you can check this yourself).
2. Make sure they’re licensed for Class 1 work (residential electrical installations).
3. Ask if they include ducting. If they do, ask who handles the ductwork. It should be a separate quote or team.
4. Get a written quote that says “Installation of extractor fan including wiring, mounting, and testing to AS/NZS 3000.”
5. Ask for a Certificate of Compliance (CoC). This is legally required and proves the job passed inspection.

If they say, “I’m a plumber, but I do fans too,” walk away. If they say, “I’m an electrician and I’ve installed 200 fans in Auckland,” that’s a good sign.

Common Mistakes People Make

• Choosing the cheapest quote without checking credentials.
• Assuming a handyman can wire a fan because they “fixed a light.”
• Installing a fan without a duct-just venting into the ceiling cavity. That causes mold, rot, and structural damage.
• Buying a fan from a hardware store and hiring someone to install it, only to find out it’s not compatible with your duct size or voltage.

One Auckland homeowner tried to save $200 by hiring a plumber to install a fan in their new bathroom. The plumber used a 15-amp circuit meant for a washing machine. Six months later, the fan tripped the breaker every time it ran. The electrician who fixed it had to rewire the whole circuit-costing $850. The plumber didn’t return calls.

What to Look for in a Good Extractor Fan

Not all fans are made equal. For kitchens, you need at least 150 liters per second (L/s) of airflow. For bathrooms, 10-15 L/s is enough. Look for:

• Low noise rating-under 30 dB is quiet.
• Humidity sensor-turns on automatically when steam rises.
• Timer function-keeps running for 10-20 minutes after you leave the room.
• Reverse flow damper-stops air from coming back in when it’s off.
• Energy Star rating-saves power over time.

Brands like Vent-Axia, Extract-Air, and Manrose are common in New Zealand and meet local standards. Avoid no-name fans from online marketplaces-they often lack proper certifications and fail within a year.

How Long Does Installation Take?

A standard extractor fan replacement in a bathroom or kitchen takes 2-4 hours if everything’s accessible. If you need new ducting through the roof or wall, add another 2-3 hours. Most electricians will give you a 2-3 hour window for arrival.

Don’t expect a same-day job unless it’s an emergency (like a fan that’s sparking). Most licensed electricians book 3-5 days ahead, especially in Auckland where demand is high after winter.

What If Your Fan Is Broken? Can a Plumber Fix It?

If your fan is just noisy or not pulling air, it’s likely a motor issue or blocked duct. That’s not a plumbing fix. It’s either:

• A dirty filter or fan blade-clean it yourself (turn off power first).
• A failed motor-needs replacement by an electrician.
• A blocked or crushed duct-needs inspection by a ventilation specialist.

Plumbers don’t carry fan motors. They don’t test electrical continuity. If they say they can “fix” your fan, they’re probably just cleaning the grille and charging you $150 for a 10-minute job.

Final Answer: Who Should You Call?

Plumbers don’t install extractor fans. They might help with duct routing if it ties into plumbing, but the fan itself? That’s an electrician’s job.

Call a licensed electrician. Ask for a Certificate of Compliance. Don’t settle for less. Your safety, your insurance, and your home’s value depend on it.

If you’re unsure where to start, ask for recommendations from local builders or check the Electrical Workers Registration Board’s public directory. In Auckland, reputable electricians often work with kitchen and bathroom renovators-they know the code inside out.

Don’t risk a $100 fan installation that turns into a $2,000 repair later. Get it done right the first time.