Micah:
You should create your own template file. Most offices create their own template file to conform to their practices and graphic standards. One way to do this is:
1. Open an ArchiCAD file for an active project that has most of the Attributes (layers, layer combinations, fill types, surfaces, etc.) that you would would want in a typical project.
2. Go to File > New... and in the New Project dialog box select the "Use Latest Project Settings" option. This will open a new blank file with the current file's Attributes.
3. Save As... this file as your template file, you can save it as an ArchiCAD Project Template file.
4. Use the Attribute Manager to add the Surfaces you want as part of your template file to this file, so they will be present when you start a new project.
David