Moon Brochure

Jack Dee

BUILDING IS OFTEN VERY INTRICATE & COMPLEX, WHICH IS WHY BUILDERS SHOULDN’T BE DOING IT

THE FIRST MEN ON THE MOON

Moon was born out of a friendship. Tony and I met working for a property business in London.

I was Head of Property; Tony was the Construction Manager. It was a great place to work: the fridge was fully stocked and there was a serious coffee machine.

But things changed. The business got taken over by an American company and it wasn’t long before the middle management speak took over too. It was time for us to leave.

With a shared interest in architecture and making furniture, Tony and I had both successfully refurbished homes in London. We weren’t afraid of experimenting, pushing boundaries. This was our passion. So we took the plunge.

We arrived in Bristol in 2002. Although I’d grown up here, we didn’t know a soul. We made some flyers and went door-to-door. The phone didn’t ring. We made more and tried again..

Finally, a call – a couple wanted a new kitchen. Local builders had repeatedly told them that the kitchen couldn’t be moved… so we moved it. Designed and built from scratch in the confines of a small workshop in Cleveland Craft Centre, we successfully completed our first project. We thought it was beautiful, but more importantly, so did they. We had our first taste of giving a client the home they had hoped for.

Over 100 projects later, our ethos of designing and building homes that make our clients happy remains. We hope to leave a legacy of great homes that people will love to live in for years to come, including ourselves. Moon recently moved into our new home, a truly inspiring place to work.

We now have a serious coffee machine.

Nick Ross

WE ARE THE ARCHITECTWE ARE THE BUILDER

Moon designs and Moon builds. More specifically, we design and build new homes,

refurbishments, extensions and commercial projects. Traditionally, the relationship between architect and

builder has been mutually exclusive. The architect a name on the builder’s plans; the builder a name in the architect’s email. But this never made sense to us.

We bridge the gap. From the project manager to the carpenter, we are a collection of people who share a passion of building beautiful things – a physical space that goes beyond bricks and mortar. And it’s this unique relationship that allows us to create your home.

This book defines how we work. Please take the time to read it. It will help you understand more about the design process and how to get the most from it. In our experience, the most successful projects don’t just engage the client, they inspire them.

Architects, technicians, project managers, builders, all-rounders – a collection of people who live and breathe designing and building. But we share more than this. We all have the same sneaking suspicion that builders usually disappoint people. The process is arduous; the client has to fight every step of the way for what they want.

It doesn’t need to be this way. Building and making things should be inspiring and enjoyable – from the first discussion to the last brush stroke. Here’s how we believe it can be achieved.

DESIGN AS IT SHOULD BEFor us, design goes far beyond how something looks. It’s how it’s built and how it works – function and form. You need to consider the whole picture to create something great. Something that makes you proud and still works brilliantly years down the line.

MOON IS MADE OF

THE LOST ART OF BUILDINGThe designs are only as good as the man banging in the nails. Or, as we like to call them, craftsmen. We could draw something beautiful on paper, but without a good team of people to realise it, that’s all it will ever be. But more than this, we believe these should be people you’ll welcome into your home. Dare we say it: you might even like having them around.

WORKING AS ONEDesigners and builders working together. It might not sound radical but, in industry terms, it is. And the results are telling. The process runs smoothly, the design is more considered, the difficult becomes more achievable. Better on every level.

In the coming pages we’ll be introducing a few members of the team. They felt the best way to talk about their craft was to talk about the tools they use.

I often wonder what did we do before cordless drills. This tool is without doubt the most used by anyone on a building site. It’s easy to take something like this for granted, but it enables me to do things quicker and without cables getting in the way. And the recent progress in lithium batteries has moved things forward again – more power for longer.

Steve Farrimond

BuilderLithium drill driver

This little device has removed the most tedious of architect’s tasks: the measured survey. Not only does it make measuring spaces much quicker, it is also incredibly accurate. And having very accurate information at the beginning of the process is the key to producing good drawings. I’m fanatical about it – just ask the team.

Andy Brown

ArchitectLeica Disto

Cutting timber by hand has its place, but a good quality chop saw is a must have tool for any self-respecting carpenter. It makes first fix tasks like studwork much quicker and second fix tasks more accurate with a higher quality finish. Being able to cut to the millimeter is at the heart of any good carpenter’s work.

Nail Meadows

CarpenterSliding compound miter saw

I could have chosen a beautifully made hand tool that my grandfather passed down, but it’s the development of workshop machines over the last 20 years that has made such a difference to what I do. The sliding arm panel saw has revolutionised being able to cut panels accurately, without needing a second person. I’m able to turn out high quality work time and time again, speeding up the process without any compromise on quality. Sorry grandad.

Nigel Bull

Cabinet Maker Felder panel saw

We’re not the first to use the expression ‘design and build’. Many firms claim to offer a design and build service. More often than not, they have simply partnered with a separate design business. It’s a marriage of convenience.

We do it properly. A building firm with architects working in-house. An architectural practice with its own building team. Either way, we work together out of a shared belief in what we do. Not out of convenience. Not for appearance.

Our unison is our approach. Here’s more about it.

OUR UNISON IS OUR APPROACH

YOU FIRST The journey always starts with you. It’s your project, your vision. So, before we can start any design work, we make damn sure we know what you have in mind. You become a fundamental part of the design process, with access to everyone involved. In other words, you’ll be part of the team. Just without the late nights.

THE WHOLE SHEBANG We build what we design. This means we need to know it will work. If the design is flawed or something isn’t possible, we have to blame ourselves. No pointing the finger while the project grinds to a halt. If there’s a problem, we resolve it. Sharpish.

LIVE IN A DREAM WORLD We like designing things that get built. We’re not interested in beautiful buildings that only exist on paper. That’s not to say we’re afraid of pushing boundaries. It just means we’ll do everything possible, call on every person and every area of our expertise, to make your dream space a reality.

OUR UNISON IS OUR APPROACH

MAKING COSTS COUNT We’ll use your money wisely, treating it as if it were our own. We know when to compromise, when to cut costs and when to spend. We’ll make sure you get the home you want for what you want.

MESSAGE UNDERSTOOD Because it’s just us, we close all the gaps. There’s no potential miscommunication, misrepresentation or getting buried under a mountain of emails. A quick chat while making coffee or an in-depth conversation in the boardroom – constant communication.

ON THE ‘B’ OF ‘BANG’ From the off, we’re ready to go. And once the build has started you’ll find the process smooth. Our working drawings detail all your wants and wishes. This means our build team can get on with their work of making it all happen, with no daily meetings to decide where the light switches should go. Any issues – and there are always one or two – are quickly sorted out and we’re off again.

Paul’s an architect. Tom’s a carpenter. Both work for Moon. Tom knows Paul well: he understands what Paul’s

trying to achieve with his intricate designs. Paul knows Tom well: he knows he’s a very talented

carpenter who takes pride in everything he does. They are colleagues. Friends even. And their relationship is essential to Moon’s approach.

If Tom needs to discuss a design issue on the ground to achieve what Paul has designed on paper, he calls Paul. He doesn’t call an independent architect he’s never met before. Paul jumps on his scooter and is with him within the hour.

Because they know and respect each other, resolving the issue is painless and the end result beautifully realised. There’s no conflict or stress.

Tom learns from Paul. Paul learns from Tom. A symbiotic relationship.

A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP

Budget. One small word that causes a lot of problems. For us, agreeing a budget comes down to what you consider good value. It’s putting a price on design, craftsmanship, time and stress levels.

Building an extension that has little design quality, uses poor materials and does not answer the brief is not good value – it’s cheap. Building an extension that’s considered and crafted may cost more, but it will also last longer, feel better and satisfy the brief.

Moon always raises the issue of budget early in proceedings. We’ll consider your project in detail, making sure what you want is achievable. We’ll then offer you solutions that fit your spend. We won’t pluck a figure out of the air and we won’t give you false expectations.

We can’t guarantee working with us will be cheaper than using the local builder in the rusty van. But we can guarantee it will be painstakingly designed, beautifully built and you’ll enjoy the journey.

That’s what we consider good value.

REDEFINING VALUE

PRODUCT CATALOGUE

PROJECT PLANS

PROJECT BUDGET

WINDOW ORDER

BUILDING CONTRACT

STRESS RELIEF

CLIENT HEADACHE RELIEF

PRODUCT WARRANTIES

THE COFFEE COMPARISON

Reasons why Moon invested in a real coffee machine: It works brilliantly.It will last years.It looks fantastic.There is pleasure in the process.Because the cheaper alternative just won’t do.

Reasons why clients invest in a Moon home:As above.

MOON DWELLERS

We appreciate that building or changing your home is a big decision. So we thought it might be useful to hear some stories from other people who have been in your position. People who chose to work with Moon.

But enough from us…

PRESERVING & ENHANCING THE STRIDE LEGACYA bold addition to a Stride classic

THE BRIEFMoon was commissioned to transform a fantastic 1930s Stride-built house into a spacious family home. Tim & Jo wanted to modernise the dated layout without losing any character.

THE WORk The core of the project was to design an open plan kitchen, dining and living space that would lead out to the garden. To achieve this, a contemporary extension was added to the rear. The rest of the house was remodelled to create five bedrooms, four bathrooms and an extensive living space. The project also included new services, an audio-visual network and complete decoration throughout.

THE PEOPLEWhy did you want to change your home?The house was purchased as a renovation project. It was in need of complete modernisation throughout and we needed more ground floor living space.Did you know what you wanted before you met with Moon?We met Moon armed with a wish list. We knew the ground floor needed extending and we wanted to create a space that combined the kitchen and dining space with a family room and office. In the existing house, we wanted to add bathrooms, create a master suite befitting a house of this size, and provide some more formal reception rooms. We also wanted a great space for our kids to hang out with their friends.Did you collaborate with Moon on the design?The design was definitely a team effort. We quickly agreed that we wanted to keep the front of the house to retain the traditional ‘arts and crafts’ look, but add a modern extension to the rear. At 1,000 sq ft, it was

virtually a new house in itself. Moon took the lead but we gave our input in areas like the utility room and kitchen choices. How has the new space impacted the way you use the house and your day-to-day life?We spend probably 80% of our time as a family in the extension Moon created. That may change as the kids get older and they want their own space, but it’s definitely increased how much time we spend together as a family. The great thing is that as the kids get older, the house will accommodate our changing needs.Did you enjoy the journey?I’m not sure you can ever truly enjoy the whole journey on a project of this scale; it will always involve some stress. I think towards the end, even with all of Moon’s help, we were suffering a bit from ‘decision fatigue’. That said, the people at Moon were great to work with, they were always available and appreciative of what we were trying to achieve. They made it as painless as it could be.

Now that it’s finished, do you feel it was good value for money? We’re really enjoying living in the house and we intend to be here for a long time, so we’ll definitely get good value out of our investment. It’s always difficult to truly get a sense of what building work should cost – it’s like comparing apples with pears. Ultimately it boils down to trust. And what we’re sure about is that there was great value in having someone remove the stress of dealing with every thing. We recently had some other works done in the garden and managed the contractors ourselves. We can’t begin to imagine how we would have coped using that approach on the house. What five words would you use to describe Moon?Inventive, original, committed, precision, contemporary.

A glamorous conversion of a listed penthouse

LIFE AT THE TOP

THE BRIEFThis listed Victorian mansion house had been converted into flats in the 1980s, but the layout of the top floor had been left unaltered. Will Tomkinson commissioned Moon to turn this space into a modern luxurious penthouse apartment.

THE WORkOnce listed building consent had been granted, work began. The three front bedrooms were knocked through to create a kitchen, dining and living space, detailed with contemporary panelling and concealed doors. We then introduced a state of the art cinema room, three new bathrooms and a large roof light in the main hall space. We also provided new services, plastering and decoration throughout.

THE PEOPLEWhy did you want to change your home?I’d spent many years waiting for the right property to become available on the Promenade. When Chatford House was put up for sale I knew that, with the right planning and design, it had the potential to be my ideal home.Did you know what you wanted before you met with Moon?I had a fairly clear idea of the new layout I wanted, but Moon came into their own in the design and detailing of these changes.Did you collaborate with Moon on any ideas? The entire design process was collaborative. Very often I would come up with an initial idea – for example built-in wardrobes – then Moon would turn it into a workable and aesthetically pleasing design.How has the new space changed the way you use the house and your day-to-day life?The result of all Moon’s hard work was a space finished to an impeccable standard that’s perfect for entertaining. The slight downside to this is that I throw a lot more parties. Living in a space that’s beautifully considered makes for easy living.Did you enjoy the journey?I really enjoyed the project. I had enough involvement that it felt like my ideas were realised. But at the same time, I could trust a professional company to get on with the project and make the most of the space. I could relax (as much as that’s possible) and enjoy the ride.Now your home’s finished, do you feel it was good value for money?I genuinely think you get what you pay for with Moon. I had some cheaper quotes for the initial works, but I would never have received the same level of finish and service. I also now realise that the quotes were not like-for-like. Moon’s pricing was far more realistic and comprehensive than the others. This transparency made the whole process a far more pleasant experience.What five words would you use to describe Moon? Quality, honest, reliable, contemporary, transparent.

FILLING THE GAPTHE VICTORIANS LEFTA side return infill extension that transforms the Victorian terrace

THE BRIEFMoon was commissioned by Maria Parez to remodel and refurbish their entire Victorian townhouse. Our job was to modernise the dated layout and meet the requirements of a large family.

THE WORk Infilling the side return and removing a corner at the rear of the property allowed for a beautifully light, open plan kitchen and a dining room that opened out to the garden. Levelling the floor between the kitchen and the rear living room resulted in a high-ceilinged space to be used as a library. Upstairs, the first floor was remodelled to create an additional bathroom and kid’s living room. The project also included complete rewiring, an audio-visual network, data cabling, an update to the heating system and complete decoration throughout.

THE PEOPLEWhy did you want to change your home? Maria: The needs of the family changed: the children needed rooms of their own and we needed a different kind of space. We barely used part of the house and the rest was looking a bit tired. We knew we wanted to change things and redecorate but we weren’t sure about what we wanted to do or how far we wanted to go.Did you know what you wanted before you met with Moon? Yes and no. I knew I wanted another bathroom and a space for the teenagers to hang about with their friends. Originally the kitchen space wasn’t going to be touched. But after discussions with Moon about the needs of the family, we realised that there were ways of making more of the whole house. We agreed it made sense to deal with the dining room, a room we rarely used, as well as the kitchen.

Did you collaborate with Moon on any ideas?Yes. I always felt that all planning and decision-making was firmly rooted in helping me articulate what I wanted. After Moon came back with the first design plan, they were keen that I voiced any concerns and would bounce ideas off me to solve them – they’re imaginative and practical at the same time. They’re also very good at keeping costs in mind and are not pushing you to spend money. There were never any surprises and certainly no disappointments.How has the new space impacted the way you use the house and your day-to-day life?Amazingly. We now use the entire house and have a central area around the kitchen where the whole family can feel comfortable. It seems odd to say it, but the family is much happier. It is incredible to see how much influence space has on our lives.

Did you enjoy the journey? Yes I did, very much so. Everybody at Moon involved in the project showed such professionalism, enthusiasm and care. Whenever there was a problem you were told straight away and the solution was already planned. We agreed to move out of the house for eight months to allow them to work more easily. In spite of this, it was as stress-free as a project of this magnitude can be.Now that it is finished, do you feel it was good value for money?Definitely.What five words would you use to describe Moon?Professional, caring, a fantastic team, high quality, forward looking.

1930’s MODERNIST

REVIVAL A contemporary modernist extension

THE BRIEFPhil and Ann enlisted Moon to design and build an extension that would improve the functionality of their 1930’s property. The house had a small rear kitchen and a separate formal dining room that needed transforming, preferring an open plan integrated space.

THE WORkA rear extension was built along the entire width of the house to include a large kitchen and dining area, a new study and sliding doors out to the garden. Rather than being a bolt-on element at the end, the bespoke fitted furniture in the study was integrated into the designs from the beginning. Considered and smart, the joins are seamless.

THE PEOPLEWhy did you want to change your home? From the beginning we felt that there were some drawbacks typical of a 1930’s design. In particular the kitchen and dining space was relatively small in comparison to the other rooms. There was also a lack of light and limited access to the garden at the back of the house.

Did you know what you wanted before you met with Moon? We were fairly clear in terms of the new spaces we wanted to create. However, we had no clear idea of how this could be achieved within the existing building and with new additions. In terms of style, we had a preference for a contemporary feel rather than something similar to the existing building. But, again, we didn’t have a fully defined idea of what this would look like.Did you collaborate with Moon on any ideas? We collaborated with Moon on all aspects of the design – from the general layout and look of the build, down to individual finishes and bespoke furniture such as a study desk and bookcases. How has the new space impacted the way you use the house and on your day-to-day life? The new spaces are now the centre of our family life. This reflects the way the design works, providing a space that suits the way we live. Did you enjoy the journey? Going through the design process and

seeing it realised was very satisfying. But any build project is going to be challenging, particularly when you are living on site as we were. A big positive was that Moon was able to seal off the build for much of the time and even create a temporary, fully functional kitchen. The combined design and build approach worked well, with any problems along the way being resolved without compromise. Ultimately, from a basic concept of what we wanted, we now have a finished product that we’re delighted with. There’s nothing we would change. Now that it is finished, do you feel it was good value for money? The final build cost was in line with the final estimates pre-build and reflected the decisions we made on where to invest our budget. For the quality of the design and finish that we’ve achieved, we consider it money well spent. What five words would you use to describe Moon? Professional, innovative, design-led, integrated, meticulous.

MOONBASE

Adaptive re-use of historic coachhouse

THE BRIEFTo build ourselves a new office that not only housed the team but also showcased our design abilities and high quality workmanship.

THE WORkThe perfect property was found close to Whiteladies Road. The building had been in commercial use since the 1800s, originally in the form of livery stables with living accommodation within. Transforming the building into a contemporary office space involved completely remodelling the old part of the building at the front and building a new two-storey extension at the rear. The rear wall was set back from the boundary to provide a small courtyard and the gable was fully glazed to both floors, allowing natural light to penetrate the back of the building.

THE PEOPLEWhy did you move office?Nick: Moon has doubled in size over the last three years and we had outgrown our old office, The Cube. Tony and I had built The Cube with our own hands back in 2007. It was originally designed to house about 5 to 6 people. Before we moved we had 10 people in there with no private meeting area – not ideal for client visits. We knew we had to move and we knew we wanted to own and build something for ourselves. Working from a bland office suite was never on the agenda.Was it hard being the client, the architect and the builder?Tony: The saying ‘a horse is a camel designed by a committee’ springs to mind. Getting clients to make decisions about finishes and fixtures is often tricky and then you are only dealing with one or two people. We had five people who all wanted different things. A good robust debate would often thrash out the final decision. But what was great about this project is that we could be more flexible than working on clients’ homes.Who designed the space?Paul: We all did, it was a true collaboration. Andy was the principle architect on the scheme, but it all started with a bit of healthy competition as to who could

develop the best layout. We had to get the right balance between creating a really interesting space and getting as much out of the building as we could. In the end we took the best ideas from all the schemes, as well as Nick’s rants about fitting in as many people as possible. We’re all proud of what we made from a crumbling old warehouse.Does it make you feel better about coming to work?Andy: I’ve worked in lots of offices, but none like this. The difference good design makes to the feeling of ‘wanting to be there’ is massive. Every day when I walk through the front door it makes me feel proud to be part of a business that cares about design and quality. As an architect, that’s everything to me. What’s the best thing about the new office?Jo: That would be our commercial espresso machine – a central component to the business. Coming in on a cold morning and making a coffee that’s akin to Costa is great. Although I seem to have become the in-house barista. But the coffee machine is about more than just making a good cup of coffee; it sums up Moon’s attitude to everything. You can’t pick and choose excellence, it needs to permeate everything you do.

We’ve explained the ‘why’, now it’s time to look at the ‘how’. The Moon process. The part that makes us different. The part that delivers a stress-free project.

This section offers a functional take on your journey with us. It’s not about pretty pictures of beautiful buildings (that comes at the end). It’s about a shared vision, tough decisions and the right result.

It’s about you and us.

Andrew Brown Architect

Andy’s experience of working with strong design-lead architectural practices has brought a fresh set of eyes to the design team. Andy designs many of our projects and is a real stickler for detail. His very thorough approach means he delivers fantastic buildings with intricate detailing with the minimum of fuss.

Billy ButlerArchitectural Assistant

Billy trained as an architect, but before we let him pick up a pen, he worked as a carpenter on Moon sites. Our reasoning: if he knows how buildings go together on the ground, he’ll be better at putting them together on paper. Billy now works closely with Paul and Andy to produce the vast number of drawings the site guys require.

Paul HalfordDesign Director

Paul is responsible for the design side of business, making sure we continue to design exciting schemes that produce fantastic spaces. Paul is a key point of contact during the design phase and beyond. His injection of humour to the process makes for a more enjoyable journey. Honest.

Niki HooperArchitectural Technician

Niki works with the design team to produce the working drawings that are required to turn concepts into reality. It’s a vital role that requires attention to detail and a real knowledge of how things go together. She’s also great at hounding suppliers to get the best prices.

Seamus MckennaProject Manager

Seamus works as an office-based Project Manager. He has building in his blood– his father and his grandfather were builders, and that heritage is something to be cherished.His straight talking approach is great for making sure things get done and get done well.

Who you’ll be working with We’re proud of the Moon team. We like working with talented enthusiastic people. And we’ve worked really hard to build a collective who are passionate about making things and care about the finished product. We don’t think they’re the norm in this industry.

Joe MurrayProject Manager

Joe started working for Moon in 2005 as a site carpenter before becoming a Project Manager. Now based at our office, he draws on his deep knowledge of construction to make sure projects are on time and built to the highest standards. His attention to detail is legendary among the team.

Tony NewmanBuild Director

Tony’s responsible for making sure we build to high standards and every project is delivered as promised. He manages the Project Managers, but is always available to discuss anything build related during the project. Tony also manages all the cost valuations and billing of the construction works. Don’t be mislead by Tony’s gentle approach, he’s someone who gets stuff done.

Nick RossManaging Director

Nick’s role is to make sure the business runs smoothly and we continue to be the very best design + build business. Nick deals with all new business enquiries and will always be your first point of contact. He has a strong passion for design and a keen eye for detail in everything we do. Just ask anyone who works here.

Dom SummersProject Manager

Dom also worked for Moon as a site carpenter before joining Seamus and Joe in-house. His background in fine cabinet making has given him a sense of quality rarely seen in the construction industry. He cares about getting it right. And even in a world of hydraulic tools and machines, his physical strength regularly comes in handy.

Sorcha Torrens Interior Design & Project Coordinator

We describe Sorcha as the glue of our business, she binds it all together. You will spend more time with Sorcha than any other member of the team. She will assist you in the hundreds of decisions that you will need to make. We can’t state strongly enough how you should take advantage of her wealth of knowledge.

Initial site visit

Will you come to our house to discuss our proposals?Yes. Our first port of call is always

to visit your home to discuss the

project in more detail. We do not

charge for this initial visit. You can

tell us your ideas and we will paint

you a picture of the technical,

design and planning issues which

you may need to consider.

Can you tell me how much it’s going to cost at this meeting?No. At this point there are just too

many variables and things to be

considered to give an accurate

quote. There will be many different

design options and many different

ways of going about what you

want. We will, however, discuss

your budget expectations and

whether they are realistic in terms

of delivering what you want. We’ll

talk purely in terms of ‘ballpark’

figures.

Oh, and if anyone says they can

give you an accurate quote on

your first meeting, we’d be a little

suspicious.

What if we already have some plans drawn up?We are happy to discuss any plans

you already have from another

architect. We can provide you with

a quote based on these drawings

and supporting documents

prepared by others, provided they

have sufficient detail. Please be

aware that planning application

drawings do not have enough

detail for us to prepare an accurate

quote or to build from.

Concept design

Following our first visit we will

write to you outlining the brief

for the project along with a fee

proposal to carry out a concept

design.

Do we need a concept design?Yes… we think so. Here’s why:

i. It helps you understand what

can be achieved in design

and technical terms within

your budget.

ii. It provides a plan that can be

used to develop the budget.

How long does this stage take?It usually takes 2-4 weeks. A real

advantage of our approach is

the speed with which we can get

moving. We can quickly tell you

what can be achieved and how

much it is going to cost. Using the

traditional approach of architect

and builder, this process can take

many months and cost you more.

01 02

Do you charge for the concept design?Yes. We charge a fee that ranges

between £400-£1500 depending

on the scale and complexity of the

project. This fee means we

can spend some proper time

considering the options as well as

involving the build team to review

potential costs.

What do you actually do for this fee?Once we have received the signed

concept design instruction we will

carry out the following:

• A detailed measured survey

of the whole property or parts

relating to the work.

• Prepare CAD plans and

elevations of the existing

property.

• Concept designs, including floor

plans and elevations as

required.

• Optional 3D modelling if

required.

The concept design is the first

phase of the design process and

will lead to a more comprehensive

discussion about what is achievable.

Do we meet to discuss your ideas?Yes. Once we have prepared the

design we will arrange a meeting

with you to discuss the proposals,

looking at what you like and

what you don’t. This discussion is

crucial. We invite you to challenge

our ideas and we may challenge

yours. We consider this part of

what you are paying us for. And,

to get it right, we need you to say

exactly what you think – years of

experience has given us a thick

skin.

Can we use these drawings if we don’t work with Moon?No. The drawings produced at the

concept design stage remain the

property of Moon. They form a

vital part of the whole design and

build process and are charged at a

discounted rate to reflect this. We

do not produce plans for tendering

or pricing by other parties.

Moon uses digital modelling at all stages of the design process, to prove design intent, understand the effect of sunlight within a building, or just create beautiful imagery.

Moon works hard to present easy to read plans, which show how the space can work for you. It also provides the basis for us to produce an initial budget.

Budget

Once the concept designs have

been agreed, we will prepare a

preliminary budget. This will include

all design and construction costs

for the project. However, it will still

contain some ‘provisional sums’.

What are provisional sums?At this stage there will be

uncertainties to which we will

assign a provisional cost. We

endeavour to be as realistic

as possible with all provisional

sums, drawing on our extensive

experience of delivering similar

projects.

There are two types of

provisional sum:

1. Provisional construction sums

These are sums that require:

i. Further technical investigations,

for example: ground conditions

or existing drainage.

ii. Further design development

or third party quotes, for

example: roof coverings or

heating installations.

iii. Other third party involvement

such as structural engineers

design.

2. Provisional client choice sums

Or, in layman’s terms, the ‘how long

is a piece of string’ sums. These

are items that require decisions

and design choices to be made

by you, the client. We try to use

provisional sums for these items

that are commensurate with the

value of the project, but it is often

difficult to second-guess clients’

expectations on items such as:

i. Kitchens – the cost can vary

between £7,000 and £100,000.

ii. Sanitaryware – a single

bathroom’s fittings range

between £1,000 and £20,000.

iii. Flooring – this can range from

£10 and £100 per sqm.

Many builders will not include

these types of items. But we

include these figures in the budget

as we think it’s important that you

get a realistic understanding of

everything involved.

Some other budget questions you might have…

Is the preliminary budget set in stone?No. The preliminary budget is

prepared using the concept design

drawings we have produced and

discussed with you. It should be

noted that these drawings are only

planning level drawings and may

be subject to change. This could

be due to you changing your mind

about design choices or it could

be changes that are necessary

in the construction-detailing

phase. We try our best to take all

the details into account from the

very beginning; however, we may

have to affect changes during the

construction drawing phase that

could have an effect on the overall

cost of the project.

03

Budget cont’

Do I need to include a contingency? Yes. Believe us, we would like

nothing more than to tell you

exactly how much your project is

going to cost at the beginning of

the process. Unfortunately this is

just not possible. What we can do

is work very hard to keep the final

cost as close as possible to this

preliminary budget… but we can

never guarantee that it

won’t change.

We therefore always recommend

you allow for a contingency of

between 10-15%, depending on the

complexity of the project. This is

experience talking.

Do you provide a ‘fixed price’?No. Contrary to every building

related TV programme, the idea of

a fixed price for a complex building

project is a rare thing indeed.

Being able to set a fixed price

at the start of a building project

basically means the contractor

has covered themselves for any

eventuality and there is a strong

possibility you will be paying well

over the odds.

We prefer to work in a more open

way. We will use our expertise to

allocate costs to all the elements

of the budget, some which might

change and some which will not.

We will alert you to the areas

where there are cost risks and you

can decide how you want to act.

Can you give me a line-by-line costing?No. The budget is broken down

into sections, with each section

containing detailed information.

We do not provide a line-by-line

breakdown of individual materials

or the time it takes to carry out

a certain task. But we will always

highlight any provisional sums or

where we have made assumptions

about costs.

Do we discuss the budget in detail face-to-face?Yes. We actively encourage all our

clients to come into the office for

a chat. This is a chance for us to

discuss your overall budget for the

project and any potential changes

that may be required. It’s also

a chance for us to show off our

serious coffee machine.

If required, how do we explore ways to reduce the budget?If changes need to be made, the

Moon approach comes into its

own. Having both the design and

build teams under one roof means

we can see where the costs lie

and make informed changes. We’ll

ensure your budget is being spent

in the right places and the spirit

of the design remains, even if

compromises have to be made.

If a reduction in the budget is

required, we’ll suggest ways to

achieve it without removing all the

nice bits. For example, it’s easy to

think that buying some cheaper

floor tiles is a good way to reduce

the budget. But in our experience,

these are exactly the things you will

look back and wished you had spent

more on. The larger sums of money

are saved at the early design stage.

It is this process of rationalisation

and continuous dialogue that

creates good value for our clients.

In a traditional tender process you

would not have the opportunity

to explore alternatives and ‘value

engineer’ the design.

03

When do I commit to Moon?

Once we have discussed the

budget in detail and explored ways

to value engineer it, then it’s time

to sign on the dotted line. This

requires a deposit payment that is

usually between £5-10k. There are

some important things to consider:

i. The booking deposit is a

payment to secure a slot in our

master programme and commit

design time to the project.

ii. If a planning consent is required

and is not granted, the booking

deposit will be fully refunded

(subject to all design fees being

paid in full).

iii. The deposit is not an advanced

payment for any future

building or design work; it is a

penalty payment to protect us if

the client decides not to pursue

the project prior to

commencement or terminates

the contract unreasonably

during the project .

iv. The deposit amount will be

deducted from the balance of

the total payment at the end of

the project.

04Statutory consent

Who submits the planning application?We do. Moon will submit all

necessary applications to the

relevant local authority for your

project and manage the planning

process. We have a very good

track record of achieving consents.

We have recently become an

accredited agent with Bristol City

& North Somerset councils. This

means our planning applications

are dealt with much quicker,

sometimes in as little as four weeks

compared with the usual eight

weeks plus.

If your application has been

refused, we can discuss whether it’s

worth considering an appeal or not.

Do you deal with listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas?Yes. Moon has an excellent track

record of dealing with listed

buildings and properties within

conservation areas.

The design process is often seriously

impacted by the constraints

imposed by conservation policy.

But this legislation is not there to

stop change; it’s there to make sure

it’s done in a controlled and sensitive

way. It’s our job to align the local

authority with the design vision and

push the boundaries of what can be

achieved within these constraints.

Finding the right balance between

being dictated to and fighting for a

creative design is difficult to achieve

– but not impossible.

Do you apply for the building regulations consents?Yes. Moon will take care of the

whole building regulations process,

including submission of plans and

all site visits.

Building regulations are a set of

standards to which buildings should

be built. They apply to most major

alterations and new builds projects

and will impact the design solution.

Our in-depth understanding of

building regulations informs our

decisions right from the concept

05

Client choices

When do I start to make decisions about fixtures and fittings?After the deposit has been

received and whilst the planning

application is being processed (if

you require one) is a good time

to start looking at interior choices

such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Do you help me with making these choices and how?Yes. We have spent many years

developing a fantastic knowledge

of good design solutions and great

products. We have collected all this

knowledge in our Design Guide.

This will help you to get the most

out of your space, as well as being

a catalogue of the products that we

think look great and work well.

Does this restrict my choice?No. The Design Guide is not

intended to restrict your choice.

It is intended to pass on the

benefit of our knowledge. There

is an incredible amount of choice

out there and we’ve found that

most clients find this daunting. In

general: the more alternatives, the

tougher the choice. What we’ve

tried to do is edit this choice down

to a range of products that look

great but, as importantly, work well

and last.

Is there anything I can do to help this process?Yes. You can collect images from

magazines, books, the internet…

anything that reflects the style

you are looking for. Also, letting us

know about what existing furniture

you hope to use in the new space

can really help us get things right.

Are there any good websites to look at for inspiration?

We’ve found a couple of good sites

for ideas:

www.houzz.com or use the

Houzz iPad app. You can create

a personal profile, allowing you

to scan through images, saving,

labelling and sharing the ones you

like with us.

www.desiretoinspire.net is an

interesting blog on design with

some beautiful images.

06Statutory consent cont’

design stage. We consider what can

be achieved – where we can push

things and where we can’t. It’s a skill

that’s not gone unrecognised: Moon

recently won an award for the best

built extension from the Bristol

Building Control department.

Are there additional costs for this aspect?No. All the costs associated with

planning and building applications

will have already been included

in the budget. The only variation

to these fees will be if additional

unforeseen information is requested

by the planning authority. These

fees are charged as and when

applications are made.

Do you have your own structural engineer?No. We don’t have an in-house

structural engineer, but we work

very closely with external parties.

We provide all the drawings and

information required, so you don’t

need to be involved unless you

want to be. We always ask our

clients to pay the engineer directly

so you have a direct contractual

relationship with them.

05

How do you manage this process?Continuous conversation. We’ll

hold design meetings with you,

producing detailed schedules

and plans of all the choices

you’ve made. We’ll also draw

your attention to any outstanding

decisions yet to be made. Once

we have your final choices,

we’ll produce your own project

catalogue with images of all

the items you have chosen for

each room. This is a great quick-

reference guide and avoids any

disputes about what was or was

not chosen.

Please note: If there are any

aspects of the drawings or

choices schedule that are not

clear or understood, please ask

Moon for clarification. It is the

client’s responsibility to read and

understand these drawings as

part of the sign-off process for

approving client choices.

Making decisions is hard There is always another option or

way of doing something. But, at

some point, you will need to make

a definitive decision. When you

choose to make this decision will

have a big impact on its success.

In every project, there are two

types of decision: items that

cannot be changed; and items

that can. It is vital that the

non-moveable items form the

foundation of the project and not

the other way around. Set them

in stone and then fit the other

decisions around them.

Some simple rules to follow are:

• Listen to people in the know –

it doesn’t have to be the gospel,

but it’s a good starting point.

• Focus on the right decisions at

the right time.

• Learn from other people’s

mistakes. We’ve seen a few in

our time, just ask.

• Don’t make decisions that are

based on a single criteria: ‘it looks

good but doesn’t work very well’

will probably turn out badly.

• Make decisions as early as

possible. It enables all design

choices to work together

successfully. Making decisions

late will often lead to rushed

choices that don’t get

considered properly.

• Don’t take advice from every

person you meet, no matter how

much you trust your butcher.

It only makes things tougher.

It’s your home, you choose.

• Don’t agonise that there must

be a better option. There is no

holy grail of any idea.

• Buy the best quality products

and service you can afford.

100

Stru

ctur

al op

enin

g 3

82

250

118

96

Cantilevered steel structure - 100 x 50 x 5 RHS

50mm treated SW firrings cutto fall 1:80

45 x 18mm treated oakbattens with black breather

membrane behind

Treated SW timber board fixedto face of box section steel

GRP roofing membrane,painted grey

120mm GA4000 celotex rigidfoam board insulation

18mm class 3 OSB decking

Powder coated aluminiumcapping. Colour TBC

approx 50mm smooth washed aggregatelayer, aggregate type to be agreed

Stainless steel angle withdrainage perforations

12mm thick melamine facedply-colour white

Aluminium fixed glazedclerestory window

20mm render on 100mmblockwork

12.5 mm plasterboard and skim to butt up to melamine faced ply

Softwood window board, painted

52.01 CLERESTORY WINDOW

52.02 DETAIL


35mm thick paving.(Marshal'ssaxon) on nominal 20mm

mortar bedding. Exact detailsof paving TBC with client

telescopic airbrick to ventbelow beam and bock void

100mm concrete slab on 1200guage DPM

1500 guage DPM

100mm medium densityconcrete block

155mm deep prestressedconcrete T beam

Galvanised steel supportingbeam

12.5mm plasterboard and skim on dabs

Tiled finish75mm screed with underfloor heating on 125mm GA 4000 celotex

1500 guage DPM

25mm celotex perimiter insulation

52.03 FIXED GLAZING

52.04 FIXED GLAZING THRESHOLD

12mm thick melamine facedply- colour white

Aluminium window transom


152

x 1

52 x

23

UC

100 x 50 x 5 RHS

305 x 165 x 40UKB

Aluminium fixed glazedwindow

1No course dark blue engineeringbrick on cut med. density

blockwork

35mm patio slab

100mm concrete slab



305 x 165 x 40UKB

152

x 1

52 x

23

UC

50 x 170mm treated SWtimber joist

120 x 50 mm treated swupstand

indicative surface waterdrainage run from gulleys and

ACO raindrain


50mm celotex foam board to internal blockwork skin

stainless wall tie every 450mm vertically

Blockwork silp

Aluminium fixed glazed window

ACO raindrain with cast irongrating

Steel portal structure

- 1.015m TOP OF BRICK

1.790m UNDERSIDE OF STEEL

1.410 TOP OF BLOCKWORK

Aluminium cill

Lightweight thermal block

treated oak battens with blackcolour breather membrane

behind

100mm gravel perimeter at footof wall

3 No. courses dark blueengineering bricks

W.03

W.03

W.04

1200 guage DPM

Design development

Can you use the planning drawings to build from?No. The planning drawings are

only an outline of what the building

looks like, they do not provide the

information required to build it. The

simpler the build, the less drawing

information you will require. To

produce a well considered building

a large quantity of high quality

information is required.

Does Moon produce the working drawings for site?Yes. Moon produces all the

drawings the site guys require.

And the drawings we produce are

top quality. They have to be; we’re

responsible for building the project

as well as designing it. There’s no

hiding behind the architect.

Is there a cost for producing these drawings?Yes. We do charge for the time

it takes to produce this drawing

information. This cost is always

included in the budget as a fixed

fee. The only time that additional

design fees are charged is when a

client changes their mind and we

have to produce new drawings.

07Construction

Do you take care of all the aspects of the construction?Yes. Moon controls every aspect

of the construction phase,

including services, building

works, bathrooms, kitchens and

decoration. It makes sense: the

more we can control, the more

of our expertise you’ll receive,

the better the end result. We’ll

basically deal with everything

– from demolition to hanging

pictures.

Do the people on site work directly for Moon design + build?Yes. In general, the majority of

people on site will work directly

for Moon, all managed by our Site

Managers and Project Managers.

We have some really skilled

tradesmen and many have worked

for Moon for many years.

Do you use sub-contractors?Yes. We do use sub-contractors

for specialist trades. Our selection

policy is simple: use the right

person for the job. If a builder

tells you they will do the block

work, plumbing and plastering

themselves, approach with caution.

The sub-contractors we use have

worked with us for years. They are

part of the team and have been

carefully selected for the quality of

their work.

Who manages the project once it’s on site?Every project has a working Site

Manager. They will both work on

the tools and manage the site

workers and sub-contractors.

They are always available to talk to

on site, although we recommend

that most communication is done

through the office-based Project

Manager. It helps to ensure all the

dots join up.

Who will I deal with during the construction period?We will appoint a Project Manager

who is based in our office. The

Project Manager will be responsible

for the delivery of the whole

project. They will be your main

point of contact and will regularly

talk to you about progress, design

issues and the project programme.

They will also be responsible for the

Site Manager, materials and flow of

information from the design team.

08

100

Stru

ctur

al op

enin

g 3

82

250

118

96

Cantilevered steel structure - 100 x 50 x 5 RHS

50mm treated SW firrings cutto fall 1:80

45 x 18mm treated oakbattens with black breather

membrane behind

Treated SW timber board fixedto face of box section steel

GRP roofing membrane,painted grey

120mm GA4000 celotex rigidfoam board insulation

18mm class 3 OSB decking

Powder coated aluminiumcapping. Colour TBC

approx 50mm smooth washed aggregatelayer, aggregate type to be agreed

Stainless steel angle withdrainage perforations

12mm thick melamine facedply-colour white

Aluminium fixed glazedclerestory window



Softwood window board, painted

52.01 CLERESTORY WINDOW

52.02 DETAIL


35mm thick paving.(Marshal'ssaxon) on nominal 20mm

mortar bedding. Exact detailsof paving TBC with client

telescopic airbrick to ventbelow beam and bock void

100mm concrete slab on 1200guage DPM

1500 guage DPM



Galvanised steel supportingbeam

12.5mm plasterboard and skim on dabs

Tiled finish75mm screed with underfloor heating on 125mm GA 4000 celotex

1500 guage DPM

25mm celotex perimiter insulation

52.03 FIXED GLAZING

52.04 FIXED GLAZING THRESHOLD

12mm thick melamine facedply- colour white

Aluminium window transom


152

x 1

52 x

23

UC

100 x 50 x 5 RHS

305 x 165 x 40UKB

Aluminium fixed glazedwindow

1No course dark blue engineeringbrick on cut med. density

blockwork

35mm patio slab

100mm concrete slab



305 x 165 x 40UKB

152

x 1

52 x

23

UC

50 x 170mm treated SWtimber joist

120 x 50 mm treated swupstand

indicative surface waterdrainage run from gulleys and

ACO raindrain


50mm celotex foam board to internal blockwork skin

stainless wall tie every 450mm vertically

Blockwork silp

Aluminium fixed glazed window

ACO raindrain with cast irongrating

Steel portal structure

- 1.015m TOP OF BRICK

1.790m UNDERSIDE OF STEEL

1.410 TOP OF BLOCKWORK

Aluminium cill

Lightweight thermal block

treated oak battens with blackcolour breather membrane

behind

100mm gravel perimeter at footof wall

3 No. courses dark blueengineering bricks

W.03

W.03

W.04

1200 guage DPM

Finishing and snagging

What constitutes a finished project?The construction industry as a

whole uses an established principle

called ‘practical completion’ as a

way to define completion. This is

an important principle as it draws a

clear line in the sand. It is this point

that triggers the 6 month defects

liability period we offer on all our

works

What is the definition of ‘practical completion’?The basic definition is: ‘the stage

when the works have been

completed in accordance with the

contract apart from minor defects

(snagging items) and is reasonably

suitable for habitation’.

How do you deal with snagging items?We work very hard to keep the

number of snagging items to a

minimum (it’s in our interest as

well as yours). But, whatever the

project, there will always be some

to deal with.

When we reach ‘practical

completion’, the Project and

Site Manager will prepare a

comprehensive snagging list. A site

visit will be undertaken with you to

discuss this list and any other items

that you feel should have been

included. We will then action this

list and arrange another meeting

to check them off with you.

Payment

Who do we pay for the works?The payment structure will depend

on the scale of the project. In

general, we are paid every two

weeks. Most clients pay the

instalments by bank transfers

(BACS).

How do you communicate what we are paying each time?The Project Manager will send you

a valuation report prior to each

payment date. This report uses

the line items from the budget you

already have and informs you of

the proportion of each item we

have completed.

Do I ever pay for works prior to them being done?The only time we invoice you for

works that are yet to be done is

when we need to make deposit

payments for long-lead items such

as windows or kitchens. These

payments will be clearly set out in

the valuation report we send you

09 10

How are any changes to the budget dealt with?There are always variations to the

budget, the extent depends as

much on the client as the type of

project. Most variations are due

to clients changing their minds or

adding additional works after the

project has started. Variation to the

budget that are not client additions

are usually to do with unforeseen

items, for example rotten joists

that couldn’t be seen or drains that

have failed over time. All variations

will be discussed in detail with you

and explained in full.

The valuation report you receive

will list the variations clearly and

they are paid for when completed

as with all other items. Dealing

with variations as we go is a critical

part of the budget management

and enables all parties to really

understand the true cost at any

time during the project.

After Care

What about guarantees and certificates?At the end of the project we will

prepare a completion pack for you.

This pack will contain:

• A copy of the planning consents.

• A copy of the building regulations

approval certificate (although

this often follows on later).

• Any guarantees for items such

as roof covering and kitchens.

• All electrical and heating

certificates.

• Instruction manuals for any

appliances, boilers or audio

equipment that has been

installed.

• Care instructions for items such

as wooden flooring or worktops.

How will I know how everything works?We will arrange personal

demonstrations of any items

installed by us. Our Heating

Engineer will walk you through

the operation of new heating

systems and make sure you fully

understand the controls.

Who do I call if there is a problem after you have finished?If you have any issues relating to

the project after we’ve left, please

call the office and discuss them

with the Project Manager. We

offer a defects liability period of 6

months after practical completion.

But you can pick up the phone

anytime after the project and

discuss any issues you might have

or any additional works you might

like to do.

11

Head OfficeMoonThe Coach House18 Sutherland PlaceCliftonBristol BS8 2TZ

0117 973 [email protected]

Thanks for taking the time to find out about Moon. We hope you’ve found it interesting and we’ve successfully communicated our passion for beautiful spaces and how we believe they are created. If you think you’d enjoy working with us, want to find out a bit more, or just fancy one of our special coffees, do get in touch. For a company with a name like Moon, we’re remarkably down to earth.

Moon Brochure

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