I would not rule out working for a small firm. You just need to find one with integrity. I worked for a small firm of about 15 employees, and the owner was a great guy, and a good mentor. All employees were paid hourly, time and one half for overtime, health insurance, life insurance, pension...
I recommend concrete, and designing the front wall as a cantilevered retaining wall since there is no lateral soil pressure on the back side of the house to counteract the soil pushing on the front wall of the house.
I never condone cantilevered decks on houses. Eventually, water will leach in through the joists at the interface with the outside walls. Also, you will get a large amount of shrinkage in the pressure treated joists that could affect interior finishes such as tile on the floors. I also recommend...
Based on what you described, it seems to me that the rafters should have been supported on the glulam beam, but I would have to see a framing plan to make that determination. For any residential work I would add a floating drywall detail for all ceilings at interior partitions.
I've also used post tensioning of the bottom chords to reinforce large span wood bowstring trusses. I also concure that you have to closely monitor the installation so that the bottom chords do not go into compression. I used a thick steel plate attached to the outside face of the truss heels to...