Thanks so much for your responses and your concerns. Let me clarify a couple things.

First, the kitchen/bathroom area was added on to a two story farm type house back in the 50s. It has a slanted lean-to roof over that area. So there is no 2nd floor over this area, although there is a basement under it. The basement has a support wall that runs between the two sections directly below the load bearing wall on the main floor.

Secondly, the 30" door that we took out had been framed into a larger area with a 40" header. It looked very much like it was a 36" or larger door at one time (probably the exterior door). So I think it still has enough support. However, we are not engineers or even general contractors, which is why I was asking questions.

It is my understanding from talking to a local contractor that no permits are required if you are working on your own home in our area. After reading your concerns, I will call City Hall on Monday and verify this is correct.

I live in a very small town in northern Montana close to the Canadian border. We do not have any engineers or architects and very few general contractors in our area. Most of the contractors are booked up for several months in advance, as we are currently in the middle of an oil-boom here. Thus we are trying to DIY.

After all the concerns and warnings that you have given me, I have called a local GC that we know. While he does not have time to do any work for us, he has agreed to meet with us next week one evening and do a consult and answer some questions, and give us some direction informally. I guess that will have to do.

Thanks for your warnings. I appreciate your input.