Project brief generator
Write a one-page brief so three contractors quote the same job
Fill in the job; the tool writes a brief with dimensions, current surface, spec we would propose, drainage and access notes, HOA and permit position, and the questions to ask every bidder. Copy it into emails or print it. It makes low quotes explain what they left out and high quotes explain what they added.
Why a brief
Most bad outcomes we get called to fix trace to a quote that was cheaper because it left out base, steel or drainage, and nobody could tell because the quotes described different jobs. A brief that fixes the spec makes the comparison honest. Pair it with the Concrete & Paver Calculator for a planning range and the Permit & Jurisdiction Finder for the office. How to check a contractor without a license number: How to Check a Concrete or Paver Contractor Before You Sign.
What a brief changes about the quotes you get
Three contractors looking at the same driveway will quote three different jobs unless someone writes down what the job is. One assumes four inches of base, one assumes two, one assumes none. One includes removing the old slab, one assumes you have arranged it. One prices drainage, two do not mention it. The spread between the numbers then tells you nothing about who is better value.
A brief fixes the specification so the comparison is real. It states the area and dimensions, the surface being removed, the base depth and material, the slab thickness with mix strength and reinforcement or the paver thickness and pattern, the drainage requirement, the permit expectation and the finish. Hand the same page to everyone and the numbers become comparable.
Questions the brief tells you to ask
| Question | What a good answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| What base depth and material? | A specific depth of a named material, compacted in lifts |
| What thickness, strength and reinforcement? | A number, a psi and how the steel is held at depth |
| Where does the water go? | A described route, not a shrug |
| Which office issues the permit and who files it? | The correct office named without hesitation |
| What happens if you find soft ground under the old slab? | A stated change-order process, not silence |
| Joint spacing and when they are cut? | About ten feet on a four inch slab, within twelve hours |
| What does the warranty exclude? | A list; a warranty with no exclusions is not one |
| When can I park on it? | Seven days for cars, twenty-eight for heavy |
Questions we get about this
Does the brief get sent to you?
No. It stays in your browser until you copy or print it; send it to whoever you are getting quotes from, including us.
Is the spec in the brief the only right one?
It is the spec we would propose for the loads and surface you chose; another contractor may propose an alternative, and the brief asks them to say so.
Can Realtors and property managers use it?
Yes; it was built for exactly that.
Get a written estimate for your project
Tell us the size, the surface you have now and where the lot is. We visit, measure, check access and drainage, and send a written proposal. No pressure calls.
What changed in this update: 2026-09-11 — first published