Start with the reason this software should exist, laravel vs next js not a list of screens. Who will use this, how often, and laravel vs nodejs how is the job done today? An estimator who knows what you are trying to achieve will suggest an alternative that costs less; someone handed only a feature list prices exactly what you asked for.

Describe the scope as concrete flows: what the user does and what the system does in response. Every bit as useful, state explicitly what the first release deliberately excludes. An explicit exclusion list prevents more argument later than any other single page. Also mark which parts are firm and which may still change — the difference changes the price, and hiding it only hurts you.

Write down the hard constraints. The list covers systems you must integrate with, the data you already hold and its condition, security and compliance rules, user volumes, supported browsers or devices and stacks you cannot change. If a deadline is real, explain what drives it: a team is usually able to rearrange the plan to protect it, provided they hear about it early.

Say what done means for each item. Clear acceptance criteria need not use formal language: a short list setting out what a user should be able to do is enough. That one addition reduces acceptance testing considerably and eliminates most late-stage disagreement.

One last thing, say what you expect back. Require an itemised estimate, a written list of assumptions, the main risks and a low number and a high number. Take a broad range as a signal about the brief: it tells you exactly which requirement is unclear. From there rewrite that part and request a revised number — the revised figure tends to be far closer to reality.