UX design specification format

We have a legacy (desktop based, developed since 90's) product that is quite successful despite having some UX and UI flaws. Recently we have decided to redesign that as SPA.

In the process we would like to start by attempting to get the UX better (if not right) by having that designed by some UX professional who is out of the company so that he has fresh, unbiased point of view and look at the product. This will be our first experience with proper UX design(er).

I believe we do know the domain, we do know what the users want/would appreciate, what operations are most common and require quick access etc.

As it is now, we have the specification (sort of) ready in the form of an "essay" or "letter" describing functional, non functional requirements, operations etc. in free language.

We have deliberately decided not to do any wireframes or detailed hints at what the system should look or behave like to not influence the designer by ours in-the-box minds. Well apart from the suggestion that it should have Material design, minor contradiction here ;) We have also decided to not include what current product looks like.

We see that it should look as a modern app, with the design similar to GMail or Google Docs:

  • standard toolbar on the top
  • master/detail views
  • some notifications coming in
  • some bookmarks

...simply nothing extraordinary these days but still would like to get that designed properly.

We expect that the designer will come back with further questions and we will be happy to provide answers. But our goal really is to let him/her do the job with as open mind as possible.

Is this naive/laughable approach?

Will the designer appreciate the freedom given? Or would s/he rather get very much detailed description with hints at what is our vision in terms of UX/UI and just fix it?

Should we take some more standard, structured approach to the specification document? If so, any hints on the structure?

Secondly, if this does not get closed as too broad or downvoted, what would be the price range, if anyone can estimate based on the facts above? (ducks)

Thanks in advance.

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