Holding up a house.

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Hey George,

If you want to save money, I'd suggest a couple of things.

First of all, meet with your city building license folks. They might have a structural engineer on staff willing to discuss your plans, no matter what, start with the permit process.

Then call a house mover to rig the wall (support it). Tell them what you have planned, and they will come in an support the dwelling. It should cost under 5 grand. You cannot shore up a house yourself, not only do you not have the expertise, but you also don't have the materials, or the mindset. When is the last time you picked up something that weight a few hundred tons? Never.

After the house mover and the house is ready for removal of the bearing point. Call and excavator and have them come out and dig out the old wall and haul it away. Make sure they have dialogue with the mover about the new temporary bearing points and what the limits of excavation can be, or disaster can happen.

Finally, once all of that is done and you have an open wall, new construction can begin. That will include pinning into the old footings/walls with rebar and preparing the footings for pooring. This part requires inspection in most locales.

After that is done, you'll be ready to block up the new wall. It is very hard work and frankly, the fact you are asking assures me you can't do it. The only reason I'm telling you in this fashion is perhaps you can general contract the work and save money, check with your local licensing agency.

I'm pretty sure each year there are a number of deaths in the building moving industry, it's very serious business.