Create A Forum - Support Forums

Ok I'm at my wits end with Vbulletin and need a change. I like your software but on a very strict non profit budget.  Here are my questions. This looks like some good software and I'm hoping it will work.
 
1. Technical Support via ticket, phone or forum, It is reliable?
2. I would like to remove as much of your branding as possible. I see there there is a fee (outside of the unlimited) is this a one-time fee per year?
3. I would like to use my butload of smiley my members have grown to like. Is there a one time fee to do this? What is the limit and how to they appear in the post bit? As a drop down, pop up or link to "more smilies". 4.95
4. If I use my own subdomain will I still be able to have your technical support?
5. Does you 14.95 plan include removing the footer and smilies? Your page does say unlimted but you have two unlimted plans that may not be in my budget.
6. I don't want facebook share or Ip addresses show in post. Is this doable?
7. Is there a chat feature?

Thanks a million for indulging me. I've just so had it with vbulletin and ready to tear my hair out. Their system is so dang bloated and four years of their nasty forum members is enough. 
 
 

Thank you Simply
Appreciate your reply.
 
So to be clear.... (sorry I'm a knob) 
 
The remove branding fee is just one time and it lasts as long as I have the forum or per month or what?
The one time fee for smilies is for the life of my forum?
 
Also regarding tech support. If my forum crashes, the only place I can get tech support is here? Are there people here that can help me for a fee per month?

How do I download modification with create a forum? I'm trialing on the free SMF hosts and can't find how to upload mods the SMF forum on createaforum.
 
Thanks a million