-Be sure to point out to your HVAC (heating and air conditioning) contractor exactly where you want your air ducts to be located. The ducts that blow air into the room are called the "supply" ducts and the ones that suck the air back to the furnace or heat pump are called the "return" ducts. Watch out for locating supply ducts where you expect to be placing a piece of furniture. If the grill is covered, you will have a hard time conditioning that room.

-HVAC contractors are typically responsible for installing the gas lines that will lead to your gas fireplaces, gas ovens, gas cooktops, and gas stoves. Be sure to think about exactly where these items will go before you call in your HVAC contractor. It is advisable that you have your gas fireplaces at the jobsite before the HVAC rough-in occurs.

-It is not unreasonable to expect your HVAC contractor to clean up the majority of the debris and left-over materials at the end of the rough-in.

Former builder and instructor of "Save Time and Money in Home Remodeling" cont. ed. course at Emory University