urgent ..pls help -construction question
Background
***************** My friend is buying a home in the SF Bay Area, California. It is a stucco house, I believe. The chimney is brick.
The home has a nice view at the back. The family room is on the first floor and the bedroom upstairs face the back. The bedroom sits on the family room which is below. The family room is larger than the bedroom on top. It has a pointed roof which ruins the view from this bedroom.
- However the family room has a big fireplace that faces the back - this ruins the view from that room. Can the the fireplace and chimney be removed ? so a French door can be inserted in that space and the view can be enjoyed ?
- Upstairs in the master bedroom ..the view is ruined because of very tiny windows and also - the chimney - the pointed tile roof Can the chimney ( because of the fireplace in the family room below) be removed and the roof flattened so a varandah can be built ?
So there are 2 issues
- can we remove the chimney completely
- can we flatten the tile roof on top of family room and build varendah on it ?
Is this possible ? and what would be the costs ? any complications ? any issues that I should be aware of ?
I know it is difficult to comment without seeing the home...but if you can pls give us your input it would be very highly appreciated.
Thanks
Linda