It’s hard to get a feel for what’s going on with the pictures. Can you show one from farther back? I don’t know anything about range hood inserts, but that looks very wrong. Not sure what else you could do though besides let him know you’ll be sharing these pictures on every review site you can find unless he makes it right.

Do you think this would be a complaint for the BBB? @jaja06

@jaja06

Sorry Indie I really don’t know anything about range hood inserts OR working with a crappy GC :( But figured I would help bump you up for maybe others to see who might be able to offer advice. I’m so sorry… I’m over here looking at your pictures and cursing your GC. What the ????

@jaja06 Thank you! Your response did make me feel better because at least I know I am not crazy.

@petula67 Thank you! I was hesitant to post at first because of that but I was desperate and went for it. I appreicate your support! I have messaged my contractor and will make it clear that if it is not fixed, reviews will follow!

This appears to be so bad that it isn't even wrong. The basic idea is that a hood shape covers an entry area and encloses a volume that connects to baffles or mesh filters through which air flows from below to the outside of the house with the help of a blower. One doesn't have a hood capturing greasy and moist plumes separate from the filters. One doesn't have exposed wood facing the burners.

And what is up above that empty volume? Is there a duct to outside? Is there a properly functioning damper at the hood end (and preferably also at the exit end)?

My sense of this is that your contractor is as mystified about hoods as you are. But his job is to not be mystified.

An inspector who approved this should be fired. Try to find someone mechanically inclined (or perhaps a "free-lance" multi-discipline home improvement person) to look this over and see what needs to be done (redone). I can't see into the guts of this strange configuration to offer advice.

The OP referred to her previous post. In that post she was advised that the 18" depth specified was too shallow. She never responded to that issue. Hence, the 18" insert shown in this thread's photo is too shallow.

I would rip that entire hood out and install a pre-made stainless steel hood in the correct width and depth (22-24" front-to-back), and be done.

What brand is the insert?

Looks like the install is missing a liner and that the insert is too large for the hood box.

There are many types of inserts though.

I want to thank everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help and input. Tomorrow, I will talk to my contractor and have noted your thoughts. I am also getting an HVAC guy to come out and take a look. Thanks again!

I think that is one of the worst jobs and some of the worst 'carpentry' I have ever seen.

What brand of cabinets did you buy? Was the hood made by the same cabinet company?

Merillat says: Range Hood Blower (RHB) required; ordered separately

Diamond says: A perfect statement piece for your kitchen, the Wood Hoods are compatible with all blowers offered by Diamond Edge.

So, you need to check with your kitchen designer or the dealer of the cabinets to get info on what inserts are compatible with the hood (actually, hood front) that you have.

Or scrap the whole thing. Which is what I would do. Wood hoods look cool but aren't all that practical in a working kitchen.

Apparently you were told this was wrong from the start so now you want help ?/ Hood insets are never a good choice since the the exterior get yucky , hard to clean and often discolored next to the other cabinets I agree rip the darn thing out and get a good qaulity stainless hood and be done .

Original thread, more info, better pictures here:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6260728/range-hood-help-needed

You can see clearly that the horizontal plywood piece is a temporary shipping brace. Should be removed. The wrong insert was ordered; should never have been installed. And the hood info on the other thread states that a 'separate liner and blower will be needed'.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting I asked what insert would work with this particular custom hood and while some said it was too shallow, at that point it had already been installed and drilled in by contractor. Contractor said the insert he used would work well. I trusted him. It didn’t work. Here I am. I told him I want it all gone and replaced with stainless steel unit.

I have never done this before. I realize many in this group are experts so I appreicate everyone’s feedback, but please understand that there are some people (like me) who are compeletely new to this. To a fault, I trusted my contractor. This feedback, although at times harsh, has helped me stand up to him and demand changes.

"I told him I want it all gone and replaced with stainless steel unit"

@Indie Es - a first renovation can be tough. I do agree that it would be best to remove the entire cabinet hood, and replace with a stainless steel hood. But DO NOT let this contractor buy the stainless steel hood for you. He will surely buy one that is cheap and not good. Buy the hood yourself.

Perhaps a chimney-style hood would add an attractive openness to your kitchen. The brand "Best by Broan" is a good one, but there are many more. As mentioned above and in the other thread, mind the hood's dimensions - the less expensive hoods are too shallow, i.e. the depth is not enough - wanting to save money and figure nobody will notice how shallow they are.

"Hood insets are never a good choice since the the exterior get yucky , hard to clean and often discolored next to the other cabinets"

That is quite bad information. Just from 30 years of personal experience with numerous inserts in wood enclosures we've never experienced any of those problems. More importantly, that is not something that has been a prevelent issue on this or other kitchen/cooking forums. It is simply made up and false.

OP, there are numerous options for inserts that should work for your application. I would start with Wolf but also consider others.

I would avoid using whomever did the work you showed in the photos. That is dangerous and grossly unprofessional.

More info here: https://bamasotan.us/range-exhaust-hood-faq/

@opaone: I think you should distinguish between wood coverings around correctly sized hood inserts, and around undersized hood inserts. A cover aligned with the front burners is very likely to see a lot of grease that misses being captured and passes up the face of the hood, in part condensing onto it.

@kaseki, Agree.

You can get a range hood insert with and adjustable liner. It is designed to fit several depth hoods. What brand is the exhaust you have now? Look into it and see if there is one offered . An appliance store can help you with this. As for which way the air is blowing - grab something that will be smokey when lit , turn on the fan and see what happens.

So sorry - good luck!

Thank you, @Debbi Washburn! It’s a HisoHo 36 inch. Contractor came out today, said something was blocking the fan and there is suction now. He said he wouldn’t replace the unit without having us sign off agreeing to damage because the hood is drilled into cabinets and wrapped around with crown moulding. He also drilled the insert into the wall to keep it upright. I have scheduled three people to come out and give a second opinion.

did he also make your vent hood? when I had mine done, I had to have the insert on hand so they could build the hood around it.

They took the insert to their shop and built everything around it. I have no issues w/cracked wood, or sunction issues.

Sounds like the hood was built first, and he tried to jimmy-rig the insert to fit. For 54K, I'd say that was his fault and it should be rectified on his dime

can we see the cabinets that he did from further back? I'm noticing issues w/the paint on the panels around the hood

@Beth H. : You are spot on putting hood in first and then shoving the insert after. That’s exactly what he did and he refuses to admit that’s a problem. The hood cover and cabinets came from the RTA Store. Thank you!

Sorry - I searched for some sort of install manual and this brand doesn't even have a website. The only place I found it was Amazon. It seems to be a good unit, but this is a hack install. That is not how it would look. And now he wants you to sign off on things? No no no.

The one I found online says that it is a 900 cfm unit. Not sure if yours is. That can be problematic because in most areas a vent with that volume needs what is called a make up air system.

I do have to say I am also surprised that you had paid everything before final inspections are complete. If things fail - what happens when he decides not to fix them?

Personally I would find a way to cut my losses on this hood. I would get him to remove it at his expense and he better be careful about damage, then get an appropriate person in there to get you the right item.

Here are 2 pictures of finished inserts - the first is a model like yours - they are usually pulled towards the front and filled in in the back ( although filling in with material to match the cabinets is not always to code in many regions

This second picture is an insert with a liner

I hope you can get this resolved!

@Debbi Washburn Thank you, Debbie! That’s very helpful information! I am 27 years old and have made a lot of mistakes from lack of knowledge. This is my first time being involved in anything like this. I’m doing this renovation for my parents, who are immigrants, so a lot of this has been on me. Stupidly, I made some mistakes and perhaps they took advantage of my inexperience and age. I really regret being naive and paying these people as soon as they would ask.

Because he refuses to take out the hood, I am getting third party opinions in writing. I plan to present these to him and I will ask him to do as you say - take it out and I am not signing anything. If he refuses, I will file a complaint with BBB and South Carolina’s licensing board. Beyond that, I am not sure what else to do. I found a Zline hood I’d love to install instead. Hopefully it will all work out. Thanks for your advice.

So I found this:

On the RTA website. 36 Is the overall width of this hood . The dimension for the insert and liner should have been taken at the front, not from the cabinets on each side. Hope that make sense.

Here is my attempt at explaining ( since I can't find a good photo )

Now I will admit that I could be very wrong here and I do hope others will jump in and correct me.

Good luck!

@Debbi Washburn Thank you for the diagram! I am taking screenshots of everything.

sorry you learned the hard way.

He knew better and took the easy, lazy way out. If he actually damaged those cabs, then he owes you replacements. Hard to have any leverage against him when you've paid in full. another lesson learned the hard way.

Does he have a Yelp page? I'd blast it. Poor reviews can be your friend here. Just be classy about it. Don't be afraid to play the young, female victim card ! If you think he took advantage because of your age/gender, then give a good reason why. post the pics of the damaged areas along w/the review. Post what you've since learned and how it should have been.

. Someone who's been in business and doing these kitchens should know you build the hood cover AROUND the actual insert, not the other way around.

Call the state licensing board and file a complaint against his contractors license. Make sure all future communication w/him is done via email or texts.

did you have a contract? anything about guarantees or fixing dents or scratches? (I've called my painter guy out a few times to fix some issues I found a few months later)

Stand your ground if he gets in your face.

@Debbi Washburn - the OP provided that pic and measurements on her previous thread (that has been referenced and linked in this one). Unfortunately the measurements in that pic do not include the crucial measurement of the depth of the hood surround.

@Beth H. : Thank you!! I am grateful for the expertise and support!

Now that we know the hood brand

https://www.wayfair.com/appliances/pdp/hisohu-3543-900-cfm-ducted-insert-range-hood-in-silver-hsoh1103.html?piid=

At the link, scroll through the photos.

The assembly is only 11.77 inches deep. It is a cabinet depth exhaust and is not designed for a projecting canopy. It is installed correctly. The enclosure is what is wrong.

Easiest way out is to go back to the RTA store and order the flat front cover that will work with this style of exhaust.

You are spot on putting hood in first and then shoving the insert after. That’s exactly what he did and he refuses to admit that’s a problem.

That does not make sense. Assuming this is a ducted hood, he could not have connected the duct work or made the electrical connections nor fastened the exhaust to the wall with the wood hood in place. He also drilled the insert into the wall...

Example of cabinet depth hood installation.

@ci_lantro Somehow he found a way because here are pictures pre-backsplash and insert. It’s screwed in.

Any chance you have a link to the flat white cover you reference? Thanks

Yeah, that is what happened. Don't know what I was thinking (I wasn't)--the face of the blower unit is removable so that explains making the electrical connections and at least some connection to the wall & adjacent cabinets.

But is it ducted to the outdoors? He could have slipped the ductwork into place but likely wasn't able to install sheet metal screws...??

As to how to cover with a flat front. The only hood option in that cabinet line that I found was the one you have.

To use that hood pak with those cabinets---probably needed a 36" wide short wall cabinet. 36" wide x 24" tall??

To retrofit...can you order just cabinet doors? Two or three doors mounted on a solid or framed backing to span from side cabinet to side cabinet?

I'm sorry, but the contractor bought this insert and it is just wrong. It needed to be a liner and a power pack insert. He could have gotten one like this from Broan

And gotten their power insert to go with it.

I looked into Kraftmaid and they have the same kind of wood hood and this is the system they sell to go into it ( not sure what brand it is ) :

I hope you have some luck in getting this resolved. If you are going to go get your own hood, please go with all your dimensions to an appliance specialist. Let them find you the right exhaust and liner. You must be very specific with all of the dimensions, even the height before it starts to slope.

Best of luck....