How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Oven Igniter?

Ryan Womeldorf
by Ryan Womeldorf

An oven cannot work as intended if the igniter is out, and it’s important to replace it right away. Each component of an oven is important, but the igniter is crucial and the unit is useless without one. So, how much does it cost to replace an oven igniter?

The average cost to replace an oven igniter is $225, but you can do it without professional help for $40-$60. Labor costs average $100, but it can cost much more if there are other problems within your oven. It can cost over $300 to replace an oven igniter in some cases, so it’s only worthwhile if your oven is under 15 years old.

Oven igniters last for an average of 4 years and ovens last up to 20 years. It is possible to repair an oven igniter in some cases, but even that costs up to $230. Follow along as we explore the cost to replace an oven igniter.

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Cost to Replace an Oven Igniter

It costs an average of $225 to replace an oven igniter with professional help. However, it can cost as much as $300 to replace an oven igniter depending on the cost of the part and labor rates. Oven igniters only cost $60 on average and you can save hundreds if you install one without help.

Igniters cost as little as $40 depending on where you get yours from. A professional can repair an oven igniter instead of replacing it altogether, and that typically costs $170. Oven igniter repairs can cost upwards of $230 in some cases, so it may be worth it to simply replace the part.

Labor is a major part of the cost to replace an oven igniter, and you will generally spend at least $100. Each professional has a different rate, but $100 an hour is a common rate for an electrician or handyman. The process varies in how long it takes based on your oven and how difficult the job is which ultimately determines the labor cost.

Part/ServiceCost
Igniter Part$40-$50
Igniter Replacement$110-$230
Igniter Repair$150-$190

Cost Factors

Perhaps you’ve just gotten a quote for a part repair or replacement and are wondering why the costs are what they are. There are a few factors that go into the overall costs and may lead you to compare between professionals (if you go that route)

The first is the cost of the parts. Obviously, you cannot replace the part involved without having another one to take its place. Generally speaking, the part is the less expensive of the two major components behind the repair/replacement costs. Here’s a pretty good idea of what you may be looking at simply for parts:

PartCost
Igniter$40-$80
Gaskets$15-$45
Screws$5-$15
Valve$150-$300
Burner$175-$350
Gas Line$200-$750

The more expensive component will almost always be labor. Labor will cost you, on average, $60-$85 per house and it should take at least an hour or two for the person performing the repairs to do their job. At the very least, you can expect to pay $100 for a visit.

The distance can also be a major factor depending on who you call. If you live in a major metropolitan area, finding a repair person can be done easily. But if you live in a rural or remote area, it may take some time and driving to get to you. Depending on the repair service, there may even be travel or service fees involved based on the level of inconvenience and distance.

Oven Repair Costs

Problems with an oven igniter often indicate other issues within the unit, and that can increase the cost. The average cost to repair an oven is $275, but it can cost well over $400. The cost to replace an oven igniter can drastically increase if you need to repair other components such as the burner.

National Average Cost$250
Average Cost Range$150-$400
Minimum Costs$50-$150
Max Costs$750-$1000

It may be worthwhile to replace the oven if your repairs exceed $1,000. An oven can last up to 20 years, but it may not be worth the cost to replace an oven igniter if it is over 15 years old. You would only get 3-5 years of use out of the new igniter before you need to replace the whole unit, so it wouldn’t be worth it in that case.

Proper Maintenance

One of the most overlooked, yet important, aspects of keeping your stove working optimally is to provide regular maintenance and cleaning. This will not only keep your oven working optimally but should also extend its life.

Make sure that you clean down the surface regularly by letting it cool and then wiping it down after you use it. When there is a build-up of residue on your burner, it can lead to the different components corroding and even breaking down. It is also recommended that you have a service technician come out every year or two to perform basic maintenance and to check for potential issues.

You can also perform your own basic maintenance. In addition to cleaning the stovetop, you can check the functionality of the burner twice per year. Make sure that you check out the details of your warranty to make sure that you aren’t doing anything to void the warranty. Lastly, make sure that you stay on top of both maintenance and cleaning. This will ensure that your stove works optimally for a long time to come.

How Long Do Oven Igniters Last?

Oven igniters last for an average of 4 years, but it varies based on usage and the model. An igniter can last over 5 years if you use it sparingly, but frequent use can make one go bad in as little as 2 years. The cost to replace an oven igniter is only worthwhile if the rest of the oven is in good condition.

Keep in mind that you might have a hard time finding an oven that has a pilot on it as more and more ovens are shifting to a glass top. The glass top is meant to deliver the same amount of heat with better distribution and the improved safety of not having to deal with an open flame.

How to Replace an Oven Igniter

First, you have to locate it. The igniter should be located behind the oven plate. The good news is that it is one of the easier components of a gas stove to replace, so implementing a do-it-yourself repair isn’t out of the question.

First, make sure that you cut the power to the stove before you start. You can unplug the stove or go the extra mile and cut off the power to the outlet. So long as there is no power going into the outlet, you should be fine.

Take the screws off of the base cover, which is found at the back portion of the oven plate, and then pull out the plate entirely. Make sure you take the time to stop and observe how the igniter is installed; taking a picture is a great idea.

Remove the igniter carefully and replace it. Igniters are very delicate. If you do not handle them properly, they could break, and you will need to order a replacement for your replacement part before starting the process over again. There are some igniters that are attached using wire nuts; take a look at the condition of them as well. Make sure that you go with metal since the plastic ones will melt.

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Summing It Up

The average cost to replace an oven igniter is $225, and it costs up to $230 to repair one. DIY oven igniter replacement costs $40-$60 for the cost of the part itself. Labor adds at least $100 to the cost to replace an oven igniter with professional help.

It is only worth it to replace an oven igniter if your oven is under 15 years old because oven igniters last 4-5 years on average. Ovens only last 15-20 years, so it is ideal to replace your entire oven if it is in that range rather than replace the oven igniter.

Ryan Womeldorf
Ryan Womeldorf

Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan.

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