Having just (still) constructed (ing) a 4'x8' 0 Gauge layout, my thoughts follow:
1. How long do you think you will keep a layout where it is built and stored.
2. I gather you want to hire someone, do a quick collaboration of a layout. Have him build it.
3. What size are we discussing? 0 Gauge? 4'x8' layout?
4. Where will this be set up and/or stored?
5. Where do you live?
I will give you my experience on a 4'x8' layout that I have worked on for the last 4 or 5 years. It is running like it should. I am still dressing it. The basics are easy.
Christmas 1960 my dad set it up offsite and brought it in Christmas Eve. I received it Christmas morning. Surprise. It was two ovals with two manual switches and one uncoupler on a 4x8 sheet of plywood. My dad did 1x2 supports to maintain sheet integrity. He painted the whole thing light green. My guess is that once the base was ready it probably took him three hours to install the track, the switches, and the uncoupler. He ran one track power point (2 wires) to the transformer, ran the four wires on the uncoupler to the transformer, plugged it in, and I was in business.
Not hard. Not rocket science. Basic instruction sheet included. Wiring points identified on the transformer. I could run it fast on the straights then turn it over in the curves.
In my old age I took that layout, added four maintenance tracks, six power remote switches, 6 track power points, 4 uncouplers, two water towers, an iron bridge, a station and parking lot, and various LED lighting features. I had to make provisions to fold it up into the wall. Further, I had to keep some integrity with the wire routing and connections. It has kept me out of jail and occupied for quite sometime now. A positive aspect is it provided me the opportunity to sharpen my language skills.
So give us some more specifics. I am a rank amateur at this. I learned on the job via internet and advice. There are guys who have decades of experience doing various things and can help with questions and maybe recommendations.
