A: I'd like to help but the answer you're looking for is way beyond the scope of this type of question answering service. It will require a professional engineer or architect to analyze the situation and develop a plan to accomplish what you want.

You are astute in realizing that you have a load condition to deal with and that you will need temporary support while the work is in progress. I would also recommend that you engage the services of a professional contractor to do this work. It's not a job that you want to undertake if you don't have experience. There's a lot at stake. Literally, you could severely damage the structure or worse. It sounds as if you will be supporting some extensive loads and they need to be properly handled as well.

As a suggestion, you might try to identify the contractor you want to work with before you get a professional involved. Often, quality contractors have working relationships with professional engineers and architects and can likely get the plan prepared for less than you can on your own. This is not a job you should give to the cheapest bidder. You should give it to someone you trust to do the work correctly and who will stand behind the work in the future if something doesn't go as planned.

To locate some professionals to interview to help you determine whom to hire, visit Home Advisor, enter a service request for "Find A General Contractor," "Find An Engineer" or "Find an Architect" to be matched with the ideal service professional in your area.

This information is brought to you by Don Powell of Powell Building Corporation in Mt. Laurel, NJ.

-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com