Can a Plumber Fit an Extractor Fan? What You Need to Know

If your bathroom’s starting to feel like a sauna or your kitchen keeps smelling like last night’s stir-fry, you might be ready to install an extractor fan. But wait—do you call a plumber? Or do you need someone else? This gets people confused all the time, and the answer isn’t as clear as you might think.

Here’s the deal: plumbers deal with pipes, water, and sometimes even gas. But extractor fans? Those are all about air and electricity. Some plumbers will tackle fan installation, especially if they offer broader “bathroom fitting” services. But strictly speaking, wiring an extractor fan is usually the job of an electrician. If your fan needs to be vented through a wall or ceiling, the plumbing side comes in handy. But connecting it to a power supply? That’s outside the normal plumbing playbook.

Trying to save a few bucks by picking the wrong tradesperson can mess up the project fast. There’s always that one mate who insists a ‘handy’ plumber can tackle anything. Truth is, the real world isn’t always that simple. So before you start buying tools or calling in favors, it’s good to know exactly who you’re dealing with—and what they’re actually allowed to do.

• What Does a Plumber Actually Do?
• Extractor Fan Basics: Where and Why You Need One
• Does Fitting an Extractor Fan Fall Under Plumbing?
• When You Need an Electrician Instead
• Mixing Trades: What Really Happens On-Site
• Tips for Hiring the Right Professional

What Does a Plumber Actually Do?

Think of a plumber and you probably picture someone fixing leaky pipes or unblocking drains. That’s spot on—plumbers handle anything to do with water, waste, and even some heating systems. Their main gig? Making sure your water flows in, out, and around your home the way it should. Toilets, sinks, showers, radiators—if it has a water connection, they’re on it.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what plumbers typically sort out:

• Fitting and repairing pipes for cold and hot water
• Installing and fixing toilets, sinks, baths, and showers
• Sorting drainage and waste pipes
• Fitting radiators and sometimes dealing with gas boilers (if they’re on the gas safe register)
• Dealing with leaks, blockages, and water pressure problems

What they don’t usually handle: electrics. When you look at things like an extractor fan, it sounds like it might involve a plumber—fans go in bathrooms, after all. But unless the job includes cutting through walls for venting or re-routing pipework, it’s usually outside their lane.

Some plumbers work as part of bigger bathroom or kitchen refits, and in those cases, you might see them managing whole projects. They’ll often bring in electricians or carpenters for bits outside their license. For anything involving wiring, UK regulations are strict, and most plumbers step back and let a qualified electrician get their hands on the wires.

Here’s a handy table showing common jobs for plumbers versus electricians, so there’s no confusion next time you call in the pros:

So, don’t be surprised if your plumber says fitting an extractor fan isn’t in their toolkit. It’s not about skill—it’s about legal work boundaries and safety rules.

Extractor Fan Basics: Where and Why You Need One

If you’ve ever stepped out of a steamy shower and noticed the wallpaper peeling or smelled musty odours in your laundry, you know why extractor fans matter. They do the grunt work of kicking out unwanted damp air and smells before they become a problem.

The two most common places you'll find extractor fans are bathrooms and kitchens. Each spot has its own reason for needing one:

• Bathrooms: Hot showers create tons of humidity. Without an extractor fan, that moisture hangs around, causing condensation, mould, and even damage to paint or ceiling panels.
• Kitchens: Cooking produces smoke, grease, smells, and steam. If this stuff can’t get out, it clings to your cabinets, makes your walls sticky, and sets off every smoke alarm in sight.

There are also utility rooms and sometimes basements that trap a lot of damp air. In most modern homes, building regs actually require a working extractor fan in bathrooms and kitchens—especially if there aren’t any windows that open. Skipping it isn’t just a bad idea; it can impact your property value and run you into issues during home inspections.

Some cool facts: A typical bathroom extractor fan can move around 85-100 cubic metres of air every hour. For kitchens, it often jumps to 150+ cubic metres per hour. That constant airflow keeps mold at bay and your mirror fog-free. Here’s an easy snapshot:

The bottom line? If your room holds onto steam, damp, or cooking smells, you need an extractor fan. Picking the right spot for it—usually high on a wall or ceiling, close to the source of steam—makes a huge difference. Skip the fan, and you just end up fighting mould, peeling paint, and never-ending damp patches.

Does Fitting an Extractor Fan Fall Under Plumbing?

This is where things get muddy. You’d think a plumber could just pop in a new extractor fan when they’re sorting your shower or fitting a new bathroom. But installing these fans, especially the wiring, usually lands in electrician territory.

Plumbers are trained for water pipes, drains, and sometimes central heating—not handling electrical wires and connections. UK rules, for example, make it really clear: you need a qualified electrician for anything involving fixed wiring (that’s pretty much all extractor fans hooked to the main power). If your plumber’s also certified with the right electrical qualifications (like Part P in the UK or its equivalent in other countries), they might offer a complete installation. But most stick to what they know best.

Here’s where a plumber can step in:

• Cutting through walls, tiles, or ceilings to make way for the fan vent
• Running ductwork that shuffles air outside
• Connecting fan vents to existing plumbing, like soil stacks, if the setup allows

What plumbers generally won’t (and shouldn’t) do:

• Wire up the extractor fan to the main power supply
• Install switches or connect the fan to a lighting circuit
• Test electrical safety on the actual fan

Fact: Only about 15% of bathroom fitters in the UK will both install the vent and fully wire it up. Most will call in a registered electrician for the tricky parts.

If you’re in doubt, ask the tradesperson upfront. Be specific—ask if they can handle both the venting (holes, ducts) and wiring, or if you’ll need to get someone else involved. It’s better to double-check, or you might end up halfway through your extractor fan repair job with no working fan and a gaping hole in your ceiling.

When You Need an Electrician Instead

There’s a line plumbers just aren’t supposed to cross, and that’s wiring up your extractor fan to your home’s electrics. Here’s the truth—UK law says only people with the right qualifications (usually a Part P registered electrician) should be handling new electrical connections, especially anywhere with steam or moisture like a bathroom or kitchen. It’s not just about following the rules—getting it wrong could mean shocks, fires, or insurance nightmares down the road.

If your job includes running new cables, connecting to a lighting circuit, or installing a timer or humidity sensor, you’ll want a certified electrician. In spaces like bathrooms, the risk goes up even more. UK safety regs (the Building Regulations Part P) are strict for a reason. As of 2024, almost 70% of faults found in new bathroom renovations that failed inspection were linked to bad electrical work, according to a recent survey by NICEIC.

So, even if you trust your plumber and they’ve done the drilling and ducting, don’t let anyone who isn’t certified wire your fan. These jobs are a bread-and-butter routine for an electrician—what takes you hours with a YouTube slog can be wrapped up quickly and safely by someone who knows the score. Plus, if you ever decide to sell your place, you’ll need a certificate to prove the extractor fan work is up to scratch.

Quick tip: always check if your tradesperson is registered with NICEIC or a similar group. It’s peace of mind—and your walls stay standing, too.

Mixing Trades: What Really Happens On-Site

On a real bathroom or kitchen job, you don’t always see just one tradesperson rolling up with all the answers. It’s common for jobs like extractor fan fitting to be a team project. Most plumbers are happy to cut holes for vents or run ducting through walls—especially if it ties in with other plumbing work. But as soon as there are wires to connect, a registered electrician usually needs to step in. Not just because of building regulations, but health and safety too.

Here's how it usually plays out:

• The plumber sorts out ductwork, vent holes, or any bits where pipes and fans need to fit together.
• The electrician comes in to handle the wires, connect to the mains, and test everything is safe and compliant.
• If it’s a simple 'plug-in' fan, sometimes the plumber will do it all, but most bathroom fan installation jobs do need two sets of hands.

This isn’t just because everyone likes to get paid. UK Building Regulations (Part P) are clear: working with mains electricity in a bathroom or kitchen is not a DIY job. If something goes wrong and it wasn’t signed off by a pro, your home insurance might refuse to pay out. That’s something a lot of people don’t find out until it’s too late.

If you're working on a project with both trades, communication is key. No one likes waiting around because the other guy hasn’t finished. Good plumbers and electricians usually coordinate schedules so you’re not left with a half-finished job or holes in your ceiling for a week.

The reality is, most people who want a kitchen ventilation upgrade or bathroom fan replacement end up hiring both pros. It's rarely a one-person job unless you're lucky enough to find someone double-qualified, and that's rare. Paying for both might sting, but it's way cheaper than fixing a botched installation or failing a safety check later.

Tips for Hiring the Right Professional

Before you start ringing up random tradespeople, here’s how to make sure your extractor fan job goes smoothly. Whether it’s a bathroom or kitchen fan, it’s easy to pick the wrong person if you’re not careful. The difference could come down to safety—or just getting the job done right the first time.

• Check the Qualifications: If you’re only after ducting or knocking a hole through the wall, a plumber or a general builder could do it. But for any job involving electricity, you want someone who’s Part P certified in the UK or a properly licensed electrician elsewhere. Never skip this. Wiring mistakes can be dangerous.
• Ask About Experience with Extractor Fan Installation: Plenty of plumbers say yes to installing fans, but if they don’t install them regularly, you might end up with leaks, dodgy ducting, or even a wonky fan. Ask how often they do this type of job.
• Get Correct Quotes: Be precise about what you want: fitting, venting, wiring, or all three. Ask for a quote in writing, and check if it covers both the electrician and plumber—sometimes both are needed, especially for awkward spots. It’s common for extraction fan installs to cost anywhere from £200 to £400 depending on the job and the property.
• Look at Reviews and Previous Jobs: Don’t just trust the website blurb. Check out online reviews, comparison sites, or ask for photos of recent extractor fan work. Honest pros are always happy to show off a decent job.
• Confirm Post-Job Ducting Seals: Make sure the installer knows how to check for airtight seals, especially in humid areas like a bathroom. Leaks here can rot walls or ceilings and land you with extra repair bills down the line.
• Avoid 'Cash Only' Cowboys: If someone wants cash-in-hand, no paperwork, run the other way. You’ll have no recourse if the extractor fan is rattling about or starts leaking next week.

Take a look at this quick comparison table—the right tradesperson can make a real difference:

Bottom line: be direct, ask the right questions, and don’t be afraid to double-check qualifications. Getting the right person in for your extractor fan installation makes all the difference—no surprises, no blown fuses, no soggy drywall.