Quoted from SilverballSleuth:UPDATE:
I'm having an architect come out to look at the place - he says he can give me a really solid estimate of what I need - and it should be less than $400. A lot of money but totally worth it.
EDIT UPDATE:
Is an architect the right move or should I go for a full fledged structural engineer?
Architect = Dreamer
Engineer = Doer
Consult an Engineer...