Many long armers have handouts that they give to potential customers to answer some of their questions and to make sure that, when delivered, the top and back work with their machines. Some of your questions may well be answered that way or on their websites. I was most impressed to visit one long armer who had books and books of quilting patterns for me to choose one I liked for my quilt. She is about 1 1/2 hrs. away but was very happy to mail me the finished quilt after delivery. I once mailed to her, and before she started quilting, she sent me some .pdfs of some suggested pantographs. She didn't start quilting until we had agreed on one. Some long armers prefer to do only pantographs edge-to-edge; some prefer custom work. There are lots of details to figure out before beginning - it's great that you are thinking ahead!