Architects can be a Very Good Thing. My sis was planning a wall demolition in her house, to make a huge kitchen-diner. A builder came along and said she'd need an RSJ as the wall was a supporting one. It would cost over £1000, not including the cost of demolition and making good. She was a bit doubtful, and a friend where she works recommended a retired architect. He arrived and said he knew the folk who lived opposite, and promptly knocked on their door! Their house is identical, and they'd had the same work done, no RSJ needed. My sis doesn't know them at all, so hadn't thought of knocking on their door. She was very very pleased with the architect, and he didn't charge her a penny for his time! (He left with several bottles of excellent wine, as my sis is a bit of a wine buff.)