Well, if you have to experience horrible mistakes, it's so much wiser to go through that stress in your dreams, instead of real life. Even considering our remodel triggers those dreams for me too. (Mine is a version of the one where you show up the day before a big exam, and you've forgotten to attend class all year.) Except I walk into the house, it's almost finished, DH is thrilled, the builder is leaving, and it's a total wreck. I remember walking over to the new cabinets and putting my foot through them. They were cardboard painted to look like wood. My DH was saying, "don't worry, they'll be great." OMG. Sometimes it's wonderful to wake up. Hope you things go well next week when you resume work!

1) based upon the width of the vertical duct cover shown in your photo, there might be some lateral slop allowed where the connections can still be made. 2) if not, and this depends on the height of your kitchen ceiling, perhaps a small soffit could be built down to allow for the transition and the monogram can butt into the bottom of the soffit. Soffit shape and size would have to be scaled to fit. The soffit doesn't have to be square or rectangular, it could be the same shape as the duct shield, which looks to be rectangular with rounded corners. Just slightly wider and deeper than the sheild. And it could be stainless instead of painted drywall. That may or may not be appropriate for you. 3) The builder can have a metal shop fabricate a wider duct cover that will work blend with the fan. 4) chose another fan I'm surprsed that your builder didn't pick up on the truss being in the way after the framing was complete. Was there no walk-through? Doesn't matter, it's a rhetorical question. I can't believe that when the HVAC installer knew he couldn't install IAW the plans, he didn't notify the builder. Or that your builder was notified and just sat on the information. Either is inexcusable. Sorry for your misfortune. There are ways around this.

I just figured it out....never mind!!!

Found it!!! Finally got the step stool and looked up on the back of the top shelf of the "baking ingredients" upper cabinet. There it was behind something! When my kitchen was 80% finished, I was told I could put things in the cabinets and drawers. Since my DR table (and floor) had been in chaos for months, I jumped at the chance. Then I left town for nearly 5 weeks! When I got back, I could not remember where I'd put much of anything as I really hadn't cooked in the kitchen yet! Slowly but surely, I'm learning where I put things in my own kitchen! At least I need not order another plum pudding. Anyone who loves them but does not want to go to the bother of making one, should order from Mother Sperry Plum Pudding <http://mothersperrysplumpudding.com> "Mother" is a hoot - just a totally delightful woman with a great sense of humor (just read her web site!). She also donates most of her profit to a local charity.