how do I get started???

This is going to sound mean I know but... ok ... so you're a web designer but you don't know how to start doing your site?! Hmmm ... maybe you should try learning how to code HTML and CSS before you actually call yourself a web designer and create an online portfolio?

So ... you might want to start here:

Getting started with HTML
More Advanced Features
http://www.htmldog.com/guides/
Bulletproof HTML: 37 Steps to Perfect Markup

And the mother of all resources ... straight from the horses' mouth
HTML 4.01 Specification

Unless I didn't understand you're post correctly?

There are great tutorials at Adobe.com Search from dreamweaver tutorials.
You should find some great ones.
One of my favorites is this one because he teaches you css/xhtml and hand coding.
Here are a bunch of tutorials. Once you do these I think you will have an understanding of how it's done and how to begin in the future.

Hahaha...yep well if you are using a template like you said then you should be able to just open the template in dreamweaver and edit the text. You will need PHP knowledge in order to do the contact form. I am not sure wither dreamweaver can do this or not. I would say you should not call yourself a web designer until you can build your own website without using dreamweaver.

Ok I'm not a webdesigner (just yet) lol. I was hoping that someone could enlist or mention what all tools are necessary for building up a good decent site. I know that many designers go by preference and that really there are way too many tools that could be used. But what are the tools you almost always frequent ? Many thanks for any reply!

You will need some sort of text editor, such as PsPad, or dreamwever. You will need a graphics program, like photoshop, fireworks. I guess that covers it. But learn how to hand code, don't use a WYSIWYG!

Thanks a lot for the reply. I am used to doing it most html stuff in Notepad.
I just saw dreamweaver and thought it nifty to use. But i guess ill stick to the good old ones. Just that im amazed with the design stuff and have no idea how ppl do such a great job with it.

You can use dreamweaver, but stick to code view only.

Yep, I really like Coda for the Mac. It is great if you have a Mac.

http://www.panic.com/coda/

Stick to Notepad to start of with. This way, you want get distracted by some of the advanced features on programs like Coda, Dreamweaver (Code View) etc.

Yeah, code is just like notepad. Just kinda helps beginners and experienced programmers.