Homeowner Forum / Construction / January 2007

urgent ..pls help -construction question

Background
*****************
My friend is buying a home in the SF Bay Area, CA.
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.

1. 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 ?

2. 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
1. can we remove the chimney completely
2. 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