It sounds like opening up the brick might be a major component of the job. A 1929 structure will be (I think) real brick, at least 2 layers thick (as opposed to the fakeity brick veneer that's typical today), and cutting it is real work. I don't know what's "reasonable," but the $1200 price didn't surprise me at all.

I, too, was the GC & had a similiar problem because I bought my VAH online & the local dealer wouldn't install anything he didn't sell. My cabinet maker/installer, who is experienced at almost everything, ran the duct & hung the hood for about $300 + materials; he was onsite anyway & the ceiling was open. My duct run is similiar to yours except when it gets to the ceiling, it takes a right turn & goes between the ceiling joists for 8' & exits through the outside wall.

My brick mason, who is very familiar with old brick & structural considerations, cut the hole in the wall (through 3 courses), attached the outside cover, & mortared a seal around the hole for under $300; it's been a while & I think it may have been $200. He's a neighbor & has done work for me before so the charge was probably less than he would have charged a stranger, but still nothing exhorbitant. I had the hole cut, the piece of duct that goes through the wall & the outside cover installed & sealed prior to the inside work.

A word of advice: make sure the mason uses a saw to cut the hole & NOT a hammer drill. Masons unfamiliar with old brick bearing walls are infamous for this disasterous error in my neighborhood.

Thanks for the helpful responses. Antique Silver, where are you located? Perhaps that reflects the difference in cost. I'm in a suburb outside of Boston.

I'm in Richmond VA & costs here are probably a little cheaper, but not much. I think the difference is using a small contractor, recommended by word of mouth, as opposed to going with a larger company in the yellow pages. Sometimes, going with a 1 or 2 man operation is a lot easier to deal with. Good luck - & keep us posted on the progress.
Hester