Contractor information web site and forum

I would like a site creating that allows me to provide advice, guidelines, suppliers, forums, and other categories areas of content in the future. I wish tom achieve a similar result as [login to view URL] Similar in structure I will define the exact menu areas. But I would like it to look less boring and more jazzy and appealing. The site will need to have a brand image centred around the domain name [login to view URL] I would like to be able to add adverts on all pages and have a key advert banner at the top and bottom of each page that I can either use for affiliate deals I have in place or for paid adverts. I would a user to be able to register for email newsletters and offers. I would also like an open forum were users can post on specific forum topics. I would also like to link to our face book and twitter sites. I will need this setting up and hosted. I have been told the best platform for this is word press. I propose I define the titles of pages and menu items and agree a standard out for content pages for each of these. With the exception of the forum. I am looking for a real freelancer not a corporate pitch with out outlandish prices.