Front porch replacement: We have a mason, but need a carpenter....and possibly an architect?

Our unenclosed front porch has a brick foundation and a concrete deck. Not sure about the fill (the house was built in 1928) and almost certainly there's no foundation under the porch. The front stairs are also brick. Porch columns and column bases are wood. No screens.

We've been talking to our excellent, very reliable mason about rebuilding the front stairs as well as the porch. He has rebuilt staircases, built new retaining walls, and repaved our driveway -- we very much trust him and his crew. But we're going to need a carpenter to repair/replace the wood bases on which the porch columns stand (we'd like to replace those bases, some of which are significantly water-damaged, with plastic). There might also be a little repair work on the water-damaged wooden porch ceiling (we'll have it completely patched up next time we have the whole exterior painted).

Here's the big question: We don't know what we're going to find in terms of fill or foundation until the mason actually starts digging it out. Worst-case scenario is that we'll need to have the porch roof braced while a new foundation is poured. So:

*Any recommendations for a carpenter who has done this kind of front porch work before?

*Are we going to need an architect or engineer on board, "just in case"?

*Our mason is really good about getting any necessary permits etc. If we're just replacing existing external structures (the porch floor and foundation, the steps -- in no way changing the footprint of the porch or enclosing it) what should we expect in terms of permit requirements?

Thanks in advance for your advice! Please PM if you're more comfortable providing references -- or warnings -- out of the public eye.

Ms. B...

Give the Black Brothers a call. (Chris and Paul) 973-378-8599. They are carpenters but I would call them "architectural" carpenters specifically. Built-ins, stairs, windows, doors, eaves etc. are their specialty. This is right up their alley and I have 20+ years of wonderful experience working with them.

(They rebuilt an sizable exterior stair that connected to a masonry porch for other architect friends of ours in SO.)

Fantastic, Ms K! Thanks so much.

Would they be good for a screened in porch and/or replacing two wooden doors or are those jobs too small/minor?