Don't want to go against what you've said. But get a professional in, I do house renovations and building work and some of the so called "DIY" stuff i've seen is appauling.

For Instance someone wanted patio doors at the back of their house. Sounds reasonable enough just to open a gap that housed a window before. But instead of supporting the walls whilst taking the old lintal out he decided not to....end result the back of his house fell down.

Surley can't you get a brickie mate around, and you can labour on him?