BUILDING IS OFTEN VERY INTRICATE & COMPLEX, WHICH IS WHY BUILDERS SHOULDN’T BE DOING IT Jack Dee
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 ARCHITECT WE 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.
MOON IS MADE OF
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 BE For 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.
THE LOST ART OF BUILDING The 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 ONE Designers 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.
Builder Lithium drill driver
Architect Leica Disto
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. 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
Andy Brown
Carpenter Sliding compound miter saw
Cutting timber by hand has its place, but a good quality chop saw is a must have tool for any selfrespecting 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
Cabinet Maker Felder panel 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
OUR UNISON IS OUR APPROACH
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.
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.
A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP
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.
REDEFINING VALUE
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.
PROJECT BUDGET
PRODUCT CATALOGUE WINDOW ORDER
BUILDING CONTRACT
STRESS RELIEF
PRODUCT WARRANTIES PROJECT PLANS CLIENT HEADACHE RELIEF
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 LEGACY A bold addition to a Stride classic
The brief
Moon 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 people
Why 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.
LIFE AT THE TOP A glamorous conversion of a listed penthouse
The brief
This 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 work
Once 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 people
Why 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 GAP THE VICTORIANS LEFT A side return infill extension that transforms the Victorian terrace
The brief
Moon 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 people
Why 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 BRIEF
Phil 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 work
A 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 people
Why 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.
MOON BASE Adaptive re-use of historic coachhouse
THE BRIEF
To build ourselves a new office that not only housed the team but also showcased our design abilities and high quality workmanship.
The work
The 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 people
Why 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.
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.
Andrew Brown Architect
Billy Butler Architectural Assistant
Paul Halford Design Director
Niki Hooper Architectural Technician
Seamus McKenna Project Manager
Andy’s experience of working with strong designlead 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 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 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 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 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.
Joe Murray Project Manager
Tony Newman Build Director
Nick Ross Managing Director
Dom Summers Project Manager
Sorcha Torrens Interior Design & Project Coordinator
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’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’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 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.
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.
01
02
Initial site visit
Concept design
Will you come to our house to
What if we already have some
Following our first visit we will
discuss our proposals?
plans drawn up?
write to you outlining the brief
Yes. Our first port of call is always
We are happy to discuss any plans
for the project along with a fee
to visit your home to discuss the
you already have from another
proposal to carry out a concept
project in more detail. We do not
architect. We can provide you with
design.
charge for this initial visit. You can
a quote based on these drawings
tell us your ideas and we will paint
and supporting documents
Do we need a concept design?
you a picture of the technical,
prepared by others, provided they
Yes… we think so. Here’s why:
design and planning issues which
have sufficient detail. Please be
you may need to consider.
aware that planning application
Can you tell me how much it’s
drawings do not have enough
going to cost at this meeting?
quote or to build from.
detail for us to prepare an accurate
i. It helps you understand what can be achieved in design and technical terms within your budget.
No. At this point there are just too
ii. It provides a plan that can be
many variables and things to be
used to develop the budget.
considered to give an accurate quote. There will be many different
How long does this stage take?
design options and many different
It usually takes 2-4 weeks. A real
ways of going about what you
advantage of our approach is
want. We will, however, discuss
the speed with which we can get
your budget expectations and
moving. We can quickly tell you
whether they are realistic in terms
what can be achieved and how
of delivering what you want. We’ll
much it is going to cost. Using the
talk purely in terms of ‘ballpark’
traditional approach of architect
figures.
and builder, this process can take many months and cost you more.
Oh, and if anyone says they can give you an accurate quote on your first meeting, we’d be a little suspicious.
Do you charge for the concept
Do we meet to discuss
design?
your ideas?
Yes. We charge a fee that ranges
Yes. Once we have prepared the
between £400-£1500 depending
design we will arrange a meeting
on the scale and complexity of the
with you to discuss the proposals,
project. This fee means we
looking at what you like and
can spend some proper time
what you don’t. This discussion is
considering the options as well as
crucial. We invite you to challenge
involving the build team to review
our ideas and we may challenge
potential costs.
yours. We consider this part of what you are paying us for. And,
What do you actually do for
to get it right, we need you to say
this fee?
exactly what you think – years of
Once we have received the signed
experience has given us a thick
concept design instruction we will
skin.
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.
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.
03 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
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:
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
as possible with all provisional
i. Kitchens – the cost can vary
be due to you changing your mind
sums, drawing on our extensive
between £7,000 and £100,000.
about design choices or it could
experience of delivering similar
ii. Sanitaryware – a single
be changes that are necessary
projects.
bathroom’s fittings range
in the construction-detailing
between £1,000 and £20,000.
phase. We try our best to take all
There are two types of
iii. Flooring – this can range from
the details into account from the
provisional sum:
£10 and £100 per sqm.
very beginning; however, we may
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.
have to affect changes during the Many builders will not include
construction drawing phase that
these types of items. But we
could have an effect on the overall
include these figures in the budget
cost of the project.
as we think it’s important that you get a realistic understanding of everything involved.
03 Budget cont’
Do I need to include a
We prefer to work in a more open
If required, how do we explore
contingency?
way. We will use our expertise to
ways to reduce the budget?
Yes. Believe us, we would like
allocate costs to all the elements
If changes need to be made, the
nothing more than to tell you
of the budget, some which might
Moon approach comes into its
exactly how much your project is
change and some which will not.
own. Having both the design and
going to cost at the beginning of
We will alert you to the areas
build teams under one roof means
the process. Unfortunately this is
where there are cost risks and you
we can see where the costs lie
just not possible. What we can do
can decide how you want to act.
and make informed changes. We’ll
is work very hard to keep the final
ensure your budget is being spent
cost as close as possible to this
Can you give me a line-by-line
in the right places and the spirit
preliminary budget… but we can
costing?
of the design remains, even if
never guarantee that it
No. The budget is broken down
compromises have to be made.
won’t change.
into sections, with each section
containing detailed information.
If a reduction in the budget is
We therefore always recommend
We do not provide a line-by-line
required, we’ll suggest ways to
you allow for a contingency of
breakdown of individual materials
achieve it without removing all the
between 10-15%, depending on the
or the time it takes to carry out
nice bits. For example, it’s easy to
complexity of the project. This is
a certain task. But we will always
think that buying some cheaper
experience talking.
highlight any provisional sums or
floor tiles is a good way to reduce
where we have made assumptions
the budget. But in our experience,
about costs.
these are exactly the things you will
Do you provide a ‘fixed price’? No. Contrary to every building
look back and wished you had spent
related TV programme, the idea of
Do we discuss the budget in
more on. The larger sums of money
a fixed price for a complex building
detail face-to-face?
are saved at the early design stage.
project is a rare thing indeed.
Yes. We actively encourage all our
Being able to set a fixed price
clients to come into the office for
It is this process of rationalisation
at the start of a building project
a chat. This is a chance for us to
and continuous dialogue that
basically means the contractor
discuss your overall budget for the
creates good value for our clients.
has covered themselves for any
project and any potential changes
In a traditional tender process you
eventuality and there is a strong
that may be required. It’s also
would not have the opportunity
possibility you will be paying well
a chance for us to show off our
to explore alternatives and ‘value
over the odds.
serious coffee machine.
engineer’ the design.
04 05 When do I commit to Moon?
Statutory consent
Once we have discussed the
Who submits the planning
The design process is often seriously
budget in detail and explored ways
application?
impacted by the constraints
to value engineer it, then it’s time
We do. Moon will submit all
imposed by conservation policy.
to sign on the dotted line. This
necessary applications to the
But this legislation is not there to
requires a deposit payment that is
relevant local authority for your
stop change; it’s there to make sure
usually between £5-10k. There are
project and manage the planning
it’s done in a controlled and sensitive
some important things to consider:
process. We have a very good
way. It’s our job to align the local
track record of achieving consents.
authority with the design vision and
We have recently become an
push the boundaries of what can be
accredited agent with Bristol City
achieved within these constraints.
& North Somerset councils. This
Finding the right balance between
means our planning applications
being dictated to and fighting for a
are dealt with much quicker,
creative design is difficult to achieve
sometimes in as little as four weeks
– but not impossible.
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.
compared with the usual eight weeks plus.
Do you apply for the building regulations consents?
If your application has been
Yes. Moon will take care of the
refused, we can discuss whether it’s
whole building regulations process,
worth considering an appeal or not.
including submission of plans and all site visits.
Do you deal with listed buildings and buildings in conservation
Building regulations are a set of
areas?
standards to which buildings should
Yes. Moon has an excellent track
be built. They apply to most major
record of dealing with listed
alterations and new builds projects
buildings and properties within
and will impact the design solution.
conservation areas. Our in-depth understanding of building regulations informs our decisions right from the concept
05 06 Statutory consent cont’
Client choices
design stage. We consider what can
When do I start to make decisions
to a range of products that look
be achieved – where we can push
about fixtures and fittings?
great but, as importantly, work well
things and where we can’t. It’s a skill
After the deposit has been
and last.
that’s not gone unrecognised: Moon
received and whilst the planning
recently won an award for the best
application is being processed (if
Is there anything I can do to help
built extension from the Bristol
you require one) is a good time
this process?
Building Control department.
to start looking at interior choices
Yes. You can collect images from
such as kitchens and bathrooms.
magazines, books, the internet…
Are there additional costs for this
anything that reflects the style
aspect?
Do you help me with making
you are looking for. Also, letting us
No. All the costs associated with
these choices and how?
know about what existing furniture
planning and building applications
Yes. We have spent many years
you hope to use in the new space
will have already been included
developing a fantastic knowledge
can really help us get things right.
in the budget. The only variation
of good design solutions and great
to these fees will be if additional
products. We have collected all this
Are there any good websites to
unforeseen information is requested
knowledge in our Design Guide.
look at for inspiration?
by the planning authority. These
This will help you to get the most
We’ve found a couple of good sites
fees are charged as and when
out of your space, as well as being
for ideas:
applications are made.
a catalogue of the products that we think look great and work well.
Do you have your own structural
www.houzz.com or use the Houzz iPad app. You can create a personal profile, allowing you
engineer?
Does this restrict my choice?
No. We don’t have an in-house
No. The Design Guide is not
structural engineer, but we work
intended to restrict your choice.
very closely with external parties.
It is intended to pass on the
We provide all the drawings and
benefit of our knowledge. There
www.desiretoinspire.net is an
information required, so you don’t
is an incredible amount of choice
interesting blog on design with
need to be involved unless you
out there and we’ve found that
some beautiful images.
want to be. We always ask our
most clients find this daunting. In
clients to pay the engineer directly
general: the more alternatives, the
so you have a direct contractual
tougher the choice. What we’ve
relationship with them.
tried to do is edit this choice down
to scan through images, saving, labelling and sharing the ones you like with us.
How do you manage this process?
Making decisions is hard
• Make decisions as early as
Continuous conversation. We’ll
There is always another option or
possible. It enables all design
hold design meetings with you,
way of doing something. But, at
choices to work together
producing detailed schedules
some point, you will need to make
successfully. Making decisions
and plans of all the choices
a definitive decision. When you
late will often lead to rushed
you’ve made. We’ll also draw
choose to make this decision will
choices that don’t get
your attention to any outstanding
have a big impact on its success.
considered properly.
decisions yet to be made. Once
• Don’t take advice from every
we have your final choices,
In every project, there are two
person you meet, no matter how
we’ll produce your own project
types of decision: items that
much you trust your butcher.
catalogue with images of all
cannot be changed; and items
It only makes things tougher.
the items you have chosen for
that can. It is vital that the
It’s your home, you choose.
each room. This is a great quick-
non-moveable items form the
• Don’t agonise that there must
reference guide and avoids any
foundation of the project and not
be a better option. There is no
disputes about what was or was
the other way around. Set them
holy grail of any idea.
not chosen.
in stone and then fit the other
• Buy the best quality products
decisions around them.
and service you can afford.
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.
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.
coated aluminium ping. Colour TBC
mber board fixed box section steel
k melamine faced ply-colour white
nium fixed glazed clerestory window
Cantilevered steel structure 100 x 50 x 5 RHS
1.790m UNDERSIDE OF STEEL treated oak battens with black colour breather membrane behind
Structural opening 382
8mm treated oak th black breather membrane behind
100 x 50 x 5 RHS
50 x 170mm treated SW timber joist 12mm thick melamine faced ply- colour white
W.04
Aluminium cill
12.5 mm plasterboard and skim to butt up to melamine faced ply
OF BLOCKWORK
Aluminium window transom
Aluminium fixed glazed window Softwood window board, painted Lightweight thermal block
ender on 100mm blockwork
52.01 CLERESTORY WINDOW
52.03 FIXED GL stainless wall tie every 450mm vertically
m medium density concrete block
50mm celotex foam board to internal blockwork skin 12.5mm plasterboard and skim on dabs
ic airbrick to vent am and bock void
courses dark blue ngineering bricks
Tiled finish
perimeter at foot of wall
1500 guage DPM
paving.(Marshal's on nominal 20mm ding. Exact details g TBC with client
rete slab on 1200 guage DPM
100
75mm screed with underfloor heating on 125mm GA 4000 celotex
25mm celotex perimiter insulation 1500 guage DPM
medium density concrete block
el supporting beam
ACO raindrain with cast iron grating - 1.015m TOP OF BRICK
35mm patio slab
118
100mm concrete slab 1200 guage DPM 100mm medium density concrete block
ep prestressed ncrete T beam
surface water m gulleys and ACO raindrain
Aluminium fixed glazed window 1No course dark blue engineering brick on cut med. density blockwork
96
ender on 100mm blockwork
155mm deep prestressed concrete T beam
Blockwork silp
3
8
152 x 152 x 23 UC
07 08 W.03
12.5 mm plasterboard and skim to butt up to melamine faced ply
Design development
Construction
Can you use the planning
Do you take care of all the
The sub-contractors we use have
drawings to build from?
aspects of the construction?
worked with us for years. They are
No. The planning drawings are
Yes. Moon controls every aspect
part of the team and have been
only an outline of what the building
of the construction phase,
carefully selected for the quality of
looks like, they do not provide the
including services, building
their work.
information required to build it. The
works, bathrooms, kitchens and
simpler the build, the less drawing
decoration. It makes sense: the
Who manages the project once
information you will require. To
more we can control, the more
it’s on site?
produce a well considered building
of our expertise you’ll receive,
Every project has a working Site
a large quantity of high quality
the better the end result. We’ll
Manager. They will both work on
information is required.
basically deal with everything
the tools and manage the site
– from demolition to hanging
workers and sub-contractors.
pictures.
They are always available to talk to
Does Moon produce the working
W.03 drawings for site?
on site, although we recommend
Yes. Moon produces all the
Do the people on site work
that most communication is done
drawings the site guys require.
directly for Moon design + build?
through the office-based Project
And the drawings we produce are
Yes. In general, the majority of
Manager. It helps to ensure all the
top quality. They have to be; we’re
people on site will work directly
dots join up.
responsible for building the project
for Moon, all managed by our Site
as well as designing it. There’s no
Managers and Project Managers.
Who will I deal with during the
hiding behind the architect.
We have some really skilled
construction period?
tradesmen and many have worked
We will appoint a Project Manager
for Moon for many years.
who is based in our office. The
Is there a cost for producing these drawings?
Project Manager will be responsible
Yes. We do charge for the time
Do you use sub-contractors?
for the delivery of the whole
it takes to produce this drawing
Yes. We do use sub-contractors
project. They will be your main
information. This cost is always
for specialist trades. Our selection
point of contact and will regularly
included in the budget as a fixed
policy is simple: use the right
talk to you about progress, design
152 x 152 x 23 UC
LAZING
Steel portal structure
person for the job. If a builder fee. The only time that additional 305 x 165 x 40 design fees are charged is when 305 165 xyou 40 they will do the block a x tells UKB UKB work, plumbing and plastering client changes their mind and we have to produce new drawings.
themselves, approach with caution.
issues and the project programme. They will also be responsible for the Site Manager, materials and flow of information from the design team.
09
10
Finishing and snagging
Payment
What constitutes a finished
When we reach ‘practical
Who do we pay for the works?
project?
completion’, the Project and
The payment structure will depend
The construction industry as a
Site Manager will prepare a
on the scale of the project. In
whole uses an established principle
comprehensive snagging list. A site
general, we are paid every two
called ‘practical completion’ as a
visit will be undertaken with you to
weeks. Most clients pay the
way to define completion. This is
discuss this list and any other items
instalments by bank transfers
an important principle as it draws a
that you feel should have been
(BACS).
clear line in the sand. It is this point
included. We will then action this
that triggers the 6 month defects
list and arrange another meeting
How do you communicate what
liability period we offer on all our
to check them off with you.
we are paying each time?
works
The Project Manager will send you a valuation report prior to each
What is the definition of
payment date. This report uses
‘practical completion’?
the line items from the budget you
The basic definition is: ‘the stage
already have and informs you of
when the works have been
the proportion of each item we
completed in accordance with the
have completed.
contract apart from minor defects (snagging items) and is reasonably
Do I ever pay for works prior to
suitable for habitation’.
them being done? The only time we invoice you for
How do you deal with
works that are yet to be done is
snagging items?
when we need to make deposit
We work very hard to keep the
payments for long-lead items such
number of snagging items to a
as windows or kitchens. These
minimum (it’s in our interest as
payments will be clearly set out in
well as yours). But, whatever the
the valuation report we send you
project, there will always be some to deal with.
11 After Care
How are any changes to the
What about guarantees and
Who do I call if there is a problem
budget dealt with?
certificates?
after you have finished?
There are always variations to the
At the end of the project we will
If you have any issues relating to
budget, the extent depends as
prepare a completion pack for you.
the project after we’ve left, please
much on the client as the type of
This pack will contain:
call the office and discuss them
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.
• 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.
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.
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.
Head Office Moon The Coach House 18 Sutherland Place Clifton Bristol BS8 2TZ 0117 973 3284 info@moondesignandbuild.co.uk www.moondesignandbuild.co.uk