You can ask an architect or a builder how much it is going to cost to build your house. They will ask for blueprints and finishes. If the person asking doesn't have specs then the builder or architect will often offer to help them create them... For a price. Most people that want software developed want to know how much it will cost to develop software without having to invest time or money in first developing the specs. The issue is that people who what software developed either don't know too get or don't want to pay for blueprints, then they complain when things go off the rails whether cost, delivery date, or quality... They fail at managing risks themselves (by not minimally getting specs first).