Welcome to Step Five: Create a Project Brief.

This is where everything you’ve worked on so far comes together. You’ve defined your goals, outlined your scope, set your budget, and gathered your visuals and preferences. Now it’s time to organize all of that into one clear, professional document: your project brief.

Think of the project brief as your master playbook. It’s the tool you’ll use to communicate consistently with every contractor you meet. Instead of repeating yourself in different ways—or worse, leaving out important details—you’ll have one document that tells the full story.

Here’s why this step matters so much: the more clearly you communicate upfront, the smoother everything goes from there. A strong project brief saves time, reduces misunderstandings, and sets the tone for your entire project. It also shows contractors that you’re serious, organized, and prepared. And that makes you the kind of client they want to work with.

At WeSpeak, we guide you step by step to build a brief that puts you in control. Your brief helps contractors quickly understand your priorities, your expectations, and whether they’re the right fit for your project.

The worksheet for this step will walk you through pulling everything together. Let’s look at what it covers.

Start with the name or title of your project. Something as simple as “Kitchen Remodel” or “Outdoor Living Upgrade” makes it clear what you’re working on.

Next, revisit your 'why'—the driving reason behind your project. This purpose, first outlined in Step 1, keeps everyone focused on what truly matters, whether that’s fixing frustrations, improving comfort, or preparing for family changes.

List which areas of the home are involved, and outline the scope for each. Be specific. Detail each space and the improvements you want so contractors have a clear, room-by-room roadmap.

Now clarify your must-haves versus your nice-to-haves. This is where you separate non-negotiables from wish list items. Being upfront about this keeps bids aligned with your priorities and prevents costly misunderstandings.

Identify whether any structural, electrical, or plumbing changes are needed. These details can drastically impact cost and complexity, so flagging them early helps contractors prepare accordingly.

Include your visual preferences or inspirations. Attach links, photos, or notes from Step 4. This gives contractors immediate direction and reduces back-and-forth during the design phase.

Next, define your budget range—from ideal to absolute maximum. This shows not only what you’re aiming for, but also where your red line is. Including a contingency buffer here demonstrates realistic planning and professionalism.

Add your preferred start and finish timeline. Be honest about deadlines—whether flexible or firm, like completing a remodel before hosting family for the holidays.

Clarify who is involved in decision-making and how you prefer to communicate. Is it just you, or do others need to weigh in? Do you prefer email, phone, or group messages? Setting this expectation early helps contractors know how to work best with you.

Finally, include any special considerations contractors should know. This might include pets in the home, HOA rules, permit restrictions, or site access limitations. These details prevent surprises and demonstrate that you’ve done your homework.

By completing this step, you’ll have a polished document that captures your goals, scope, budget, and preferences all in one place. It’s more than just paperwork—it’s your project compass. Share it with contractors, and you’ll instantly stand out as an organized, decisive homeowner who knows exactly what they want.

And that sets your project up for success from the very beginning.