Looking for layout help....

Maybe you could start a local club with your layout as the centerpiece.  20x20 is one nice layout.  Club members would help with the work and run their trains on a nice layout.  Wish I was closer.  

A better approach, in my opinion is to do things in small, manageable steps, setting little goals for yourself. It is actually more fun to go this way. 

So, to start, I would make a 4x8 platform, a basic one and get trains running. Then, expand it at your own rate.

There is a school of thought that says to plan everything ahead and then build. That's OK if you are ready to actually go ahead.  In your case, you might end up spending all your time planning.

So, Go for it. Now. Build.

My layout is under construction in the attic too. Started 6/2010, still under construction, still nothing running. Yours, 400 ft2, mine 546 ft2. I've got maybe 40% of the track laid. Current budget is measured in $ cubed.

Were it not for our modular train club where I get to spend weeks running the wheels off my collection I would have just quit years ago. As it is, I'm still plodding right along. It will be running when it's running. I will admit that I sometimes have to remind myself to have fun.

As for finishing your layout, I concurr with cultivating train buddies. I think you'll find that far more fun that just throwing dollars at a solution.

There are contractors that can help you out. For starters, check the OGR Forum sponsors. Were I retired, I'd be game for helping out (after my stuff is running).

Gilly