In the house we are building, they are putting in standard 30"
cabinets with a foot above them open (8' main floor). We are putting
in a range hood in place of the standard microwave-hood combo. This
will be ducted to the ceiling and the duct will follow joists
gap(parallel to counterspace) to the outside. How does one usually
cover the area ABOVE the cabinet where the duct tube has to go
through? It is too much to ask the builder to sheetrock the entire 1
foot clearance above cabinets.

Also any cost effective suggestions for a range hood. I have the
frigidaire 30" stainless steel model in mind (~$300).

thanks
SS