How to Write a Job Brief That Gets Accurate Quotes
A simple template and set of tips for describing a job to local professionals so the quotes you receive are accurate, comparable and quick to arrive.
The quality of the quotes you receive is largely decided by the quality of your request. "Need someone to sort the garden" can mean anything from an hour of weeding to a complete redesign, and providers will either guess high to be safe, guess low to win the job or ask a stream of questions you could have answered upfront. A good brief takes ten minutes and saves days.
The five things every brief needs
- What you want done, in plain language
- Where it is, including access and floor level
- How big it is, with measurements or quantities
- When you need it and how flexible you are
- Anything unusual about the property, the people or the job
Everything else is a bonus.
A template you can copy
Job: Replace the bathroom extractor fan and make good the ceiling around it. Location: Upstairs bathroom, second floor flat, no lift, parking permit zone outside. Size: One fan, ceiling around 2.4m by 1.8m. Existing fan is about 15cm across. Condition: Old fan makes a loud noise. There may be some damp staining on the ceiling. Materials: I have bought a replacement fan. Please supply any fixings and filler. Timing: Any weekday morning in the next three weeks. Other: Cat in the flat. I will be home. Photos attached.
Notice how much it answers without being long.
Describing the work
Be specific about the outcome, not just the activity. "Paint the living room" is less helpful than "two coats of emulsion on walls and ceiling, white ceiling, one grey feature wall, existing walls in good condition, furniture to be moved by me." Mention:
- What is included in the job and what is not
- Standards you care about, such as a smooth finish or a neat edge
- Whether preparation such as filling, sanding or stripping is included
Describing the place
Providers need to know:
- Type of property, such as flat, terrace or detached
- Floor and access, including stairs, narrow doors and lifts
- Parking and any restrictions
- Services affecting the job, such as the location of the stopcock or fuse board
- Age of the property, which can affect plumbing and wiring
Our guide to preparing your home goes into the practical side.
Adding photos and measurements
Photos reduce misunderstandings dramatically. Take wide shots to show context and close-ups for detail. Add measurements where you can. See photos and measurements for quotes.
Being honest about the budget and timing
You do not have to name your budget, but you can give a range or describe a ceiling, particularly for open-ended work. It helps the provider propose something realistic. On timing, say what is fixed and what is flexible. "Must be finished before 20 November" is a different request from "sometime this month".
Mentioning what could go wrong
If you know of an issue, such as an old boiler, tricky stairs or previous bodged repair, include it. Hiding it does not make it go away and usually results in extra charges or irritation later. It also signals that you are an open, easy customer to work with.
Sending the brief
On Compito, you search by postcode, choose providers and send a request describing your job. You can then compare offers and ask questions through messaging before you accept. Whichever way you send it:
- Send the same brief to every provider you contact.
- Keep a copy for yourself.
- Reply promptly to follow-up questions and note the answers in one place.
Common mistakes
- Using only a headline with no detail
- Leaving out access problems
- Changing the brief mid-quote, then expecting the price to remain unchanged
- Overloading the brief with irrelevant information
- Asking for a price before you have decided what you want
After the offer arrives
Check that the offer reflects your brief. If it does not, clarify before accepting. A written scope that mirrors your brief is a strong foundation. See agreeing scope in writing and how to get a fair quote.
A before-and-after example
A weak brief: "Fix the fence." A stronger one: "Two panels have blown out of the side fence, about 1.8 m high and 1.8 m wide each. Posts look sound apart from one at the corner, which leans. Access is via a side gate, 80 cm wide. Please supply timber panels and remove the old ones. Any weekday in the next fortnight. Photos attached." The second takes a minute longer to write and will usually produce offers that can be compared like for like, with fewer questions and fewer surprise extras.
Briefs for jobs where you do not know the cause
If you are describing a problem rather than a task, use this simple pattern:
- What you see or hear: drip, smell, noise, crack, stain.
- When it happens: after rain, when the heating comes on, when a tap runs.
- How long it has been going on and whether it is getting worse.
- What you have tried, including anything you have turned off or removed.
- What you would like: diagnosis, a fix or an estimate for options.
A short checklist before you press send
- Have I said what the finished result should look like?
- Have I included at least three photos and a rough size?
- Have I mentioned access, parking and pets?
- Have I said when I am free and who will be home?
- Is there anything I have not mentioned that I would be annoyed to learn on the day?
Keeping the brief up to date
If the job changes, add a short update to the same conversation rather than starting a new one. Providers can then see what has changed and adjust their offer, and you have a clear record of what the final scope was.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a brief be?
Long enough to answer the five basics, usually a short paragraph or a few bullets. More detail is useful for larger projects.
Do I need to know the right terminology?
No. Plain language is better than guessing technical terms. Photos fill in the gaps.
What if I do not know what is wrong?
Describe the symptoms: what you see, hear or smell, when it happens and what you have already tried. Ask for an inspection or diagnosis, and say that is what you want.