We are looking at homes and one feature that is important to us is a gas range (stove top). Many of the homes we've seen have electric ranges on an island in the kitchen. How difficult is it to run gas to the island and then install a gas range? All of these homes are on a slab.

I know each home is different, but generally speaking would this require running a gas supply through the slab or can a gas line be added through conduit that contains the electrical lines?

TIA!

If there is gas already in the home to say, water heater, heater, etc., it's not too difficult a task assuming pipes are big enough and adequate pressure is available to add appliances.

If you have an all electric home, natural gas may not even be available.

Assuming natural gas service is available you will find that a tap, ditching, routing and installation, etc., can be very expensive.

Depending on your location and local codes, you MAY be able to use a LP propane tank and simply locate it nearby and pipe it into the new stove. This could be cheaper than tap/new service from natural gas line. The distance, location of tank, etc., etc., is determined by local code. This is quite common overseas in many, many countries. And typical in rural areas of the US. If you have a large family or do a LOT of cooking I would recommend 2-100-pound (24 gal each) tanks on a switchable manifold with pressure valves depending on supplier delivery fees, etc. LPropane/gal costs about the same as diesel fuel.

In fact, in many countries the propane tank is located in the adjacent cabinet or through the wall from an adjacent room and not even outside - and refilled on an as-needed basis by local distributors.

You could consider induction cooktop instead. You would probably like it as well or better than gas.

Thanks gents. I should have mentioned that all of the homes we have seen do have gas in the home. They just don't necessarily have a gas range.

If it is a big enough island, you could add some decorative posts to the island and bring gas inside one of those.

we had the same situation in a 1979 built home. had a stub out under the electric cooktop. easy conversion!