That sickening crunch of a dropped spice jar, or a crack that appears mysteriously after dinner—a damaged glass cooktop is a modern kitchen nightmare. For a moment, your heart sinks. Your mind immediately floods with urgent questions: Is it dangerous? How much will this cost me to fix? Can I even repair it, or do I need a whole new appliance?
For Sydney homeowners facing this stressful situation, this definitive guide provides the clear, locally-relevant answers you need. We’ll break down the immediate risks, the true replacement costs in Australian dollars, and the professional process from start to finish. This information will empower you to make a safe, informed, and cost-effective decision, positioning Perfect Appliance Repair as your trusted local expert for any cooktop crisis.
Quick Sydney Cost Guide
This table provides a realistic overview of what you can expect to pay in the Sydney metropolitan area.
| Service Type | Typical Cost Range | Breakdown and Key Notes |
| Minor Repair (Cosmetic Only) | $150 – $350 | Includes call-out and labour. Rarely recommended for cracks; best for buffing out minor surface scratches. This is not a structural or safety fix. |
| Electric Glass Top Replacement | $250 – $700 | Part: ~ 400 | Labour: ~ 300. Highly dependent on the brand and model’s complexity. |
| Induction Glass Top Replacement | $400 – $950+ | Part: ~ 800+ | Labour: ~ 300. Induction parts are significantly more expensive due to integrated electronics. |
| Technician Call-Out Fee | $90 – $150 | An upfront fee covering travel and diagnosis. At Perfect Appliance Repair, this is absorbed into the total labour cost if you proceed with the replacement. |
The Critical Importance of Not Using a Cracked Cooktop
The most critical piece of advice we can offer is this: stop using your cracked cooktop immediately. Continuing to cook on a compromised glass surface is not just a bad idea; it’s a significant safety hazard.
Understanding the Risks in Detail
Severe Electrocution Hazard: Ceramic glass is an excellent insulator. When cracked, this barrier is broken. Any liquid—a pot of water boiling over, condensation, or even a simple cleaning spray—can seep through the fracture and come into direct contact with the high-voltage electrical wiring and elements beneath. This turns your cooktop into a live, unpredictable electrical hazard.
Potential Fire Hazard: The crack can cause the internal heating elements to malfunction or “short out.” This can lead to uncontrolled heating, damage to internal components, and, in a worst-case scenario, an electrical fire within the appliance.
Rapid Damage Escalation: A small crack is a structural weak point. The immense thermal stress created by the heating and cooling cycles of cooking will inevitably cause this crack to expand. What begins as a single hairline fracture can quickly spiderweb across the entire surface, turning a manageable replacement into a more complex and potentially more expensive job if the glass shatters completely.
What to Do Immediately:
Turn the cooktop off at the unit’s controls.
Go to your home’s circuit breaker box and switch off the dedicated circuit for your cooktop/oven. This completely cuts the power and eliminates any electrical risk.
Do not place anything on the surface.
Call a certified appliance repair specialist.
A Homeowner’s Diagnostic Checklist
While a tiny scuff mark can be frustrating, certain types of damage are non-negotiable and mandate a full replacement. Use this checklist to assess your cooktop:
Cracked, Broken, or Chipped Glass: If you can feel any imperfection with your fingernail, it’s a structural failure, not a cosmetic one. This includes any chips, especially those on the edges or near the heating zones, as they compromise the integrity of the entire glass panel.
The Light Test for Scratches: To distinguish between a surface scuff and a deep scratch, clean the area and shine the light from your smartphone on it at a low angle. If the scratch casts a shadow, it’s deep enough to be a potential weak point that could evolve into a crack under heat and pressure. A high density of deep scratches warrants replacement.
Pitting and Permanent Stains: Pitting is when the glass surface has small craters or feels rough. This is often caused by sugary spills that have been allowed to cool and bond with the glass. Severe pitting is not just an aesthetic issue; it creates hotspots that interfere with even heat distribution and can lead to thermal stress cracks.
Repair vs. Replacement
Many clients ask, “Can’t you just patch it up?” While we understand the desire for a quick fix, replacement is almost always the only responsible and cost-effective solution.
The Reality of “Repairs”
Specialist epoxy kits exist for minor windshield chips, and some attempt to use them on cooktops. This is a critical mistake.
Why It Fails: These resins are not designed to withstand the extreme and rapid temperature changes of a cooktop (from room temperature to over 200°C in minutes). The repair will discolour, weaken, and fail, leaving you with the original problem.
The Unjustifiable Cost: In Sydney, a professional attempt at a cosmetic resin repair can cost $150 – $350 AUD. Given that this offers no safety assurance and is not a permanent solution, the value proposition is extremely low compared to a full replacement.
Why Replacement Delivers True Value and Peace of Mind
Investing in a new glass top assembly is an investment in your home’s safety and functionality.
Complete Safety Restoration: A brand-new, factory-made part eliminates all electrical and fire hazards.
Performance and Efficiency: A flawless surface ensures perfect contact with your cookware, providing even, efficient heating and saving energy.
Long-Term Durability: A professional replacement restores the cooktop to its original strength, ready to handle years of daily use.
Warranty and Assurance: At Perfect Appliance Repair, our replacements are backed by both a manufacturer’s warranty on the part and our own workmanship guarantee.
The Cost to Replace a Glass Cooktop in Sydney
The final price on your invoice is a sum of several distinct factors. Here’s how it breaks down.
Factor 1: The Cooktop Part Cost
Electric Radiant Cooktop Part ($150 – $400+ AUD): The replacement part is an assembly that includes the ceramic glass bonded to a metal frame. The cost varies based on size and brand.
Induction Cooktop Part ($300 – $800+ AUD): Induction tops are far more complex. The glass is often integrated with a capacitive touch user interface and the sensor electronics that communicate with the magnetic coils. This intricate technology is why the replacement part itself is significantly more expensive.
Factor 2: Brand and Model
Part availability and pricing differ dramatically across brands common in Australian kitchens.
Readily Available & Lower Cost: Westinghouse, Beko, Chef, Euromaid, Omega. These brands have a strong presence in Australia, and parts are generally well-stocked and more affordable.
Mid-Range Cost: Fisher & Paykel, Bosch, Smeg, Electrolux. These popular brands offer excellent quality, with part costs reflecting that. Availability is typically good.
Premium & Higher Cost: Miele, Neff, Gaggenau, ASKO. These high-end European brands are built to exceptional standards, and their replacement parts are priced accordingly. Some parts may also require special ordering from overseas, which can add time to the repair process.
Factor 3: Labour, Service Fees, and Potential Extra Costs in Sydney
The Call-Out Fee ($90 – $150): This standard industry fee covers the technician’s travel and initial diagnostic time.
What Labour Covers ($100 – $180 per hour): A professional 1-2 hour installation is not just about swapping glass. The labour cost covers:
Safe electrical disconnection and verification.
Meticulous disassembly of cooktop components.
Thorough cleaning of the cooktop frame and surrounding area to ensure a perfect seal.
Precise installation of the new glass assembly and high-temperature sealant.
Correct reconnection of all heating elements and sensors.
Full functional testing of every element and control.
Potential Extra Costs:
Obsolete Parts: For cooktops over 10-15 years old, the part may be discontinued. Sourcing a rare part could incur extra costs.
Difficult Installation: Cooktops installed in custom cabinetry or stone countertops may require extra time for safe removal and re-fitting.
Underlying Electrical Issues: If the technician discovers a separate electrical fault, this will require additional work and will be quoted separately.
The 50% Rule: Deciding Between Replacement and a New Appliance
To simplify your decision, use the “50% Rule,” a common guideline in the appliance industry.
If the total cost of the replacement is more than 50% of the price of a comparable new cooktop, you should strongly consider buying a new appliance.
Example 1: Entry-Level Electric Cooktop. Your 7-year-old Westinghouse cooktop needs a new top, quoted at $550. You can buy a brand new, similar model for $800. Since $550 is more than 50% of $800, upgrading to a new unit with a full warranty is a very logical choice.
Example 2: High-End Induction Cooktop. Your 5-year-old Miele induction cooktop, which cost $3,500 new, needs a glass replacement quoted at $900. Since this is well under 50% of the replacement cost, the repair is an excellent investment.
The Replacement Process
In Australia, the choice between DIY and professional service for a hardwired appliance is not just about skill—it’s about safety and legality.
Why DIY is Not an Option
It’s Illegal and Unsafe: The Electrical Safety Act mandates that any person performing work on a fixed electrical appliance for a fee must be licensed. For a homeowner, a DIY job can invalidate your home insurance policy. Our technicians are fully licensed and insured, protecting you and your home.
Risk of Costly Errors: One dropped tool, one overtightened screw, or one misaligned seal can crack the brand new glass top, forcing you to buy it all over again.
Our Professional Process
Safety First Diagnosis & Upfront Quote: Our technician arrives, conducts a full safety assessment, identifies your exact model, and provides a clear, fixed-price quote. There are no hidden fees.
Sourcing the Exact OEM Part: We don’t use “close enough.” We source the specific Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) glass assembly for your cooktop to guarantee a perfect fit, seal, and performance.
Safe and Meticulous Installation: Following strict protocols, we disconnect power, carefully extract the damaged top, clean all contact surfaces, expertly install the new unit and sealant, and securely reconnect all components.
Rigorous Multi-Point Testing: We don’t just turn it on. We test every element at various heat settings, check all indicator lights, and verify that all control functions are operating flawlessly.
Final Clean-up and Handover: We clean our work area thoroughly and provide you with advice on how to care for your brand-new cooktop surface.
How to Protect Your New Glass Cooktop
Cool Down: Let the cooktop cool completely before cleaning.
Scrape First: Use a dedicated flat-edge scraper (held at a 30-degree angle) to gently lift any burnt-on food.
Use a Cream Cleanser: Apply a small amount of a recommended ceramic cooktop cleaner (like Cerapol or Hillmark Cerapol) with a soft cloth or paper towel.
Buff to a Shine: Use a clean, dry cloth to buff the surface to a streak-free shine.
Lift, Don’t Slide: Always lift cookware to move it. Dragging it, especially heavy cast iron, is the number one cause of scratches.
Your Best Choice for Glass Cooktop Replacement in Sydney
A cracked glass cooktop is a problem that requires a fast, safe, and professional solution. From accurate diagnosis to sourcing the right part and ensuring a flawless installation, every step matters.
Don’t risk your home’s safety or waste money on temporary fixes. For a fast, professional, and guaranteed glass cooktop replacement anywhere across the Sydney region, contact the certified experts at Perfect Appliance Repair.
Call us now at 0414 146 227 or fill out our online form to book your service call and receive an upfront, honest quote.