If you don't have proof that you sent the specs to the GC, ask him to show you the specs that he did use or show you where he found the 21 1/2" maximum height recommendation. Don't let him tell you that he could use any height he wanted in the absence of instructions from you; he should have asked.

Vent-A-Hood says the recommended mounting height for their under-cabinet hoods is 21" to 24". For their wall-mounted hoods they recommend a maximum of 30". They also say that exceeding the maximum recommended mounting height may compromise performance.

A range hood is not a gas appliance vent but an exhaust for cooking vapors, so there is no code requirement to have one and the installation height is entirely optional.

Some homeowners are tall and prefer a hood mounting height greater than 30 inches and are willing to give up some cooking vapor exhaust performance. (I think of this every time I hit my head on the sharp corner of my brother-in-law's hood.)

Therefore the height of a range hood should not be determined by the maximum recommended height in the installation instructions but by the design documents.

So, the GC should have asked you what height you preferred regardless of what manufacturer's installation instructions you gave him. If the GC designed the house and prepared the construction documents, perhaps he thinks he has your permission to make such decisions on his own.

Thank you so much for your information and reply, the installer put the unit at 21 1/2" as that was where it fit onto the duct for outside that was installed too low for the unit to meet the minimum distance of 27".

The installation guide from the manufacturer says minimum distance of 27" and maximum of 36" over a gas stove. We would just like it to meet the minimum distance perhaps 27" or 28".

The builder agrees it's too low and needs to be moved higher, I am just concerned about the double vent on the exterior of the home or whether it would be better to close the hole properly and redo the stucco...... I think the builder tried to say we never gave him the specs so he will not have to pay the costs to have it fixed properly.

Thank you again. :)

If your stucco topcoat was applied recently, it should feather in no problem concerning the repair. It's when it's been sitting for quite awhile and has faded, dirtied, and depending on facing exposure is when it's hard to match up. If your stucco contractor is competent, you wont even know it had been repaired. There shouldn't be any reason to re topcoat the entire wall if the topcoat is recently applied. Moving in last April I would say that it hasn't been on long enough to worry about so the fix should tie in just fine.

Thank you Sierraeast, that is very reassuring and makes sense. The stucco workers came and did some touch-ups on the stucco about a month ago and you cannot tell at all. I asked the GC if it could be patched and match the existing stucco and he said the whole wall would have to be redone, maybe he said that to make it seem like the vent cover would be easier since it's cheaper for them, lol. The wall is also a north facing wall so not much sun hits it for fading.....

The workers are back today and put in the new duct and a cover for the old one, it's pouring rain today and very muddy so I'll go check it out later as we are on a tornado watch as well. Hopefully the range hood will be done properly today. Fingers crossed.