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What is a Prompt?

A prompt is simply the question or instruction you give to an AI system. Think of it as briefing a colleague - the clearer and more detailed your brief, the better results you’ll get. In construction work, a good prompt is like giving clear project instructions: you wouldn’t tell a subcontractor “do some electrical work” - you’d specify exactly what needs to be done, where, when, and to what standards.
The quality of AI responses directly correlates with the clarity and structure of your prompts. Small improvements in how you ask questions can dramatically improve results for your construction projects.

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The MASTER Prompt Technique

For complex construction tasks, use the MASTER framework to structure comprehensive prompts that get professional results every time:

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Real Example: Kitchen Renovation Quote Request

Let’s say you need to create a quote for a kitchen renovation. Here’s how to build your prompt using MASTER:
What you want to accomplish“Create a professional quote for a complete kitchen renovation that will help me win this client project.”
Key project details that matter“Kitchen is 12m² in a 1980s house in Ghent. Client budget is €20,000-25,000. They want modern style with island. Timeline needed: 6 weeks. Access is narrow - only 80cm door to street.”
Examples or references to follow“Format should be similar to our previous successful quotes - professional layout with clear sections. I’ve attached our standard template structure.”
How formal and for whom“Professional but warm tone for homeowner clients (not technical contractors). Should feel trustworthy and explain things clearly.”
Specific sections to include“Include: project summary, detailed scope by trade, timeline with milestones, total cost breakdown, payment schedule, and our 5-year warranty terms.”
Your professional perspective“You are an experienced Belgian general contractor with 12 years specializing in residential kitchen renovations.”

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The Complete MASTER Prompt

M + A + S + T + E + R =
“Create a professional quote for a complete kitchen renovation that will help me win this client project. Kitchen is 12m² in a 1980s house in Ghent. Client budget is €20,000-25,000. They want modern style with island. Timeline needed: 6 weeks. Access is narrow - only 80cm door to street. Format should be similar to our previous successful quotes - professional layout with clear sections. I’ve attached our standard template structure. Professional but warm tone for homeowner clients (not technical contractors). Should feel trustworthy and explain things clearly. Include: project summary, detailed scope by trade, timeline with milestones, total cost breakdown, payment schedule, and our 5-year warranty terms. You are an experienced Belgian general contractor with 12 years specializing in residential kitchen renovations.”

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Why MASTER Works

Clear Goal

Mission tells the AI exactly what success looks like for you

Right Context

Anchor + Samples give all the project details that shape the response

Perfect Format

Tone + Elements + Role ensure you get something you can actually use
Start Simple: You don’t need all 6 letters every time. For quick questions, just use Mission + Anchor + Tone. For complex work like quotes or reports, use the full MASTER framework.

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Essential Principles & Output Formats

Master these fundamentals and get responses in formats you can immediately use:

Be Specific

Instead of: “Tell me about foundations” Try: “Compare strip, pad, and raft foundations for 2-story house on clay soil in Belgium”

Provide Context

Always include: Project type, location, budget, timeline, and who will use the response

Request Usable Formats

Examples: Lists, comparison tables, step-by-step instructions, client-ready summaries
  • Project Management
  • Client Presentations
  • Technical Implementation
Request: “List the 5 most critical phases for a bathroom renovation project. For each phase include: duration estimate, key trades involved, dependencies, and potential delays to watch for.”You get: Organized, scannable information ready for project planning.

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Agent-Specific Prompting

Each Tooli agent has unique strengths - match your task to the right specialist:
Perfect for: Broad questions, regulatory guidance, and directing you to other agentsInclude: Project context, specific challenges, regulatory requirementsExample: “What Belgian building codes apply to converting a garage into living space? Which Tooli agent should help me create the formal documentation?”Agent advantage: Will ask clarifying questions and guide you to the right specialist
Perfect for: Creating complete project quotes from client requestsInclude: Space dimensions, desired finishes, budget range, timeline, site conditionsExample: “Bathroom renovation, 2.5x1.8m, modern walk-in shower, €12,000 budget, 1970s apartment in Antwerp”Agent advantage: Will ask for missing details to complete professional quotes
Perfect for: Reviewing and improving existing workInclude: Upload your document and ask specific improvement questionsExamples: “What risks am I missing?” / “How can I strengthen this bid?”Agent advantage: Will identify weak points you might miss
Perfect for: Document analysis and error detectionInclude: Upload files and specify error types to focus onExamples: “Check for calculation errors” / “Find potential duplications”Agent advantage: Will ask clarifying questions about scope if needed
Perfect for: Formalizing project changes and variationsInclude: Original scope, requested changes, timeline/cost impact, formality levelAgent advantage: Will request missing contract details if needed
Perfect for: Converting notes to structured reportsInclude: Meeting context, attendees, project phase, required formatAgent advantage: Will ask about missing attendees or project details
Pro Tip: Don’t try to include every detail upfront. Tooli’s agents are designed to have conversations and will ask for exactly what they need to deliver great results.

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Advanced Strategies & Common Mistakes

  • Iterative Development
  • Conversation Building
  • Avoid These Mistakes
Build complex solutions step-by-step:
  1. Start Basic: “I need help planning a loft conversion in a 1930s house in Brussels.”
  2. Add Specifics: “The space is 40m², client wants 2 bedrooms, structural beams present, budget €35,000.”
  3. Focus Details: “Given the structural beams, what are Belgian building code requirements for ceiling height and emergency egress?”
Why this works: Each step builds naturally without overwhelming the initial prompt.

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Your Success Toolkit

The Golden Rule: The best construction prompt gets you actionable results you can use immediately on-site or with clients.

Essential Elements

  • Project type, location, size
  • Budget range and timeline
  • Belgian codes and regulations
  • Client preferences and constraints

Success Strategies

  • Use MASTER framework for complex tasks
  • Build solutions iteratively
  • Let agents guide with questions
  • Save successful patterns
Most importantly - let the agents ask questions rather than trying to include everything upfront. They’re designed to have conversations and guide you to the best results.

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Ready to Level Up?

Master Long Conversations

Learn how to manage complex project discussions and understand when to start fresh conversations.