With the older homes, it’s doable and would need to involve a structural engineer to reevaluate wind and earthquake loads as well as framing and foundation of existing components.

Hi Karla, and anyone else interested, for engineering I highly recommend Kenneth S.

The network engineer in me is screaming, "This is waaaay to complicated and a waste of my precious time.

I would also receive plans for the foundation, I would have to get them stamped by an engineer. 

In the engineering department, I probably want to have experts in electric traits, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, flooring, etc.

Not to get to technical, but I used to be a mechanical engineer selling energy and network projects to big companies, now I run our construction department and install lots of HVAC, and can promise you heat pumps and electric baseboard are light years apart in monthly spend unless you live in Alaska or something.

Thanks in advance on any feedback,Zach (Structural Engineer In-Training in Indiana)    

I'm graduating from San Jose State University with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

LolaHi Lola,You might want to encourage the board to get 3 or 4 more bids for the block work.Perhaps get an architect (or an engineer) to help you write up a "Written Bid Request" for the (Needed) and (Optional) repair work.With a written bid request, you can be sure you are comparing apples to apples, and getting the required work done.Also, the Architect or Engineer may have a list of workmen to share with you that they have used successfully in the past on similar jobs.Good Luck! 

It's interesting that I too have an engineering back ground, once worked in oil and gas, and once lived in Houston.