I agree that it's hard to estimate without knowing more, but I'm guessing that you are going to be getting into new headers to move the support and I'd guess you'd end up in the low thousands. Are you also going to need match masonry? That'll add to the cost, too.

To all reading this post: First of all, the quoted post should be attributed to Brickeyee. My sincerest apologies for my error. Here's a copy-and-paste version with the relevant section. Posted by brickeyee (My Page) on Thu, Jan 31, 08 at 19:46 .... The track should also NEVER be attached to a header in a weight bearing wall. A secondary header should be installed with about a 1/2 inch clearance below the structural header. If the header bows (and they all do to some extent) it can cause problems with the track. If the wall is NOT weight bearing the header will not be loaded and you CAN omit the second header. Decker, You asked what I meant by a secondary header. The real answer is I don't know; I'm just parrotting what I've read. But the term was used when describing 2x4(?)as something to which the pocket door track would be attached. BTW, this door installation is not a DIY project. I'm just trying to second-guess potential problems in construction. Again, I apologize if I've opened a can of worms.

Husband and I finished an 2 story 18 x 24 addition about 4 years ago. Even with subbing out some of the work, it was of course, more money and more work than we anticipated. Same old story to anyone who has ever... I know husband can do this with help from my 2 adult, still living at home, mooching sons LOL but - hubby has a bad back and is 62 so no spring chicken. Plus we are finally talking to each other after 4 years! Can't get anyone else to call me for a quote. Even with referrals these guys either don't call back or are no shows. Willing to do some demo to save time and money. All I have read from various Garden Web articles is that it is not a HUGE project (I only have about a 13' span and I have architectural specs) so I don't understand why somebody wouldn't want to come in for a quick buck. Hate doing it but I guess I will start calling names from ads in our local paper to people I don't know or have any referrals.

One more quick comment and then I'll shut up. This is the kind of project you do if you can realistically expect to stay in that house the rest of your lives, or maybe 20 years. Much less than that, and you'll lose money. Possibly a lot of money. The TV shows and websites you're getting "inspiration" from are NOT there to serve you. Their purpose is to move money from your bank account to those of the owners and advertisers. That takes some effort, because most likely their accounts are a lot fuller than yours. (Kind of like what a heat pump does.) To move money from a smaller heap to a bigger one, they manufacture "needs" in your mind. Fertilized by the manure the hosts and writers spread around, these emotional "needs" grow so large that they eventually push out home-ownership reason. Those programs and websites should be used solely for entertainment (and barely that). Otherwise, you'll become yet another of their victims. And that's all I have to say about that.