J.B.
Look at hostmonster.com as they provide several easy installs and bullentin boards for several issues such as blogs, photo sites, wikis, search engine support, unlimited bandwidth and unlimited disc space, etc. To contract to build a site would be anywhere from $1000 for a minimally interactive site to $5000 for a very interactive site. Even if someone were going to build a site then they will usually host the site for you and the monthly fees are at their mercy. With hostmonster.com, the hosting fee is $6.95 a month. Also with hostmonster.com, you have drupal which is a very easy to use content management system. This will allow you to make the appropriate changes yourself without having to keep returning to your initial developer. Even if you hire someone, you should INSIST that they build it in drupal. I would also insist that they put it onto a website you have already bought the hosting website. This will give you the control of your monthly costs rather than the consultant and would avoid any upcharges that might be associated with you not owning the hosting website.