A geotechnical engineer is the specialist who can really tell you what situation you have there. 

I live in LA, couldn't even consider a deal - too skinny to engage in any type of financial engineering.

Speaking of work, I am a chemical engineer working in the Oil and Gas Sector. 

Without having any experience with this, your best bet would be to talk to a Civil Engineer, if after talking to Planning it seems feasible. 

I'm sure it will never happen, but what would happen if software engineering went offshore?  

I have an engineering background so I am more grounded in logic and numbers, rather than emotion and feelings.  

I would like to introduce myself, Gary, and my wife Susan to the community.I am a practicing professional structural engineer and my wife is currently working for a home rental management firm that specializes in single family residences.We ran across the site a couple of weeks ago while researching investment ideas.We have read many of the blogs, listened to podcast, and watched videos.It quickly became apparent that there is a lot of valuable information and extremely bright people to learn from.

Several of the lenders we talked to commented on how they liked my experience from my engineering and project management background.

Haven't priced it out yet but I will probably pay between $2-$2.5k- sink $200, - faucet - $200, - backsplash $300 install, another $300 materials- I usually add canned lights in kitchen ~$80 per,- Flooring: If tile, I buy the $1 per sq ft ceramic so materials are cheap ($150), labor for that may be about $1k for a decent sized kitchen / If I do engineered wood, then about $2.50 per sq ft for materials and $2-$2.25 for installation- Appliances: about $1k, I don't provide fridge, just dishwasher, stove, microwave- Plumbing hook up - ~$250Bathroom:- I have had to demo walls before due to tile, so probably $300-$400 for new drywall if that is the case- Tile shower - probably around $250 for materials and $750 for labor (including cement board installation).

This breakdown is also how when you as an investor can value engineer, cut costs, when you project is legitimately over budget.