CAVE OFFER SERVICES for individuals, companies & communities

At Cave we can tailor services to meet your project's requirements. We offer a full service as set out by the RIBA plan of work, from initial survey to completion of your project and beyond. In addition to these core services, we provide additional input in the form of consultancy in sustainability and community engagement. At whatever stage we are working, Cave ensures good communication between all members of the project team to result in the best possible outcome for your development.

Please contact us for a free initial consultation. We look forward to hearing from you and discussing your project.

DESIGN

Above all, Cave believes that the success of a project begins with a successful design that meets our clients' requirements. We listen to these carefully and translate them into a clear brief, leading to well thought out and beautiful designs. We offer an interactive design process, one in which you will feel informed on why decisions are being made, with full and timely discussions of constraints and feasibility.

PLANNING

Cave has many decades of combined planning experience and enjoys a successful record of planning approvals. We can also assist with difficult planning situations and with projects that have previously been refused planning, or are subject to enforcement notices. We have successfully handled appeal cases, and we also advise on planning implications and policy risk from the outset of design.

BUILDING REGULATIONS

Building regulations drawings need to demonstrate compliance with all the structural and safety aspects of a build, and to ensure a minimum level of comfort and performance in terms of insulation, ventilation and energy use. Cave has many years' experience of producing high quality, detailed drawings that go beyond annotated planning drawings. This helps secure quick and comprehensive approvals.

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

Whether it's finding the right contractor for the project, or supporting our clients during the construction phase, Cave is on hand to help make your project a reality. We enjoy fostering long term relationships with good quality contractors to take part in competitive tenders. Frequent site visits and team meetings ensure that the build process runs as smoothly as possible, saving you time and money.

SUSTAINABILITY

Cave believes sustainability is about designing with the future in mind. We create adaptable spaces that stand the test of time and go beyond current standards and conventional building methods. We offer full consultation services for all aspects of sustainable building. Cave specialises in a “fabric first” approach using low-energy construction techniques such as strawbale, cob, reclaimed materials, and sustainable retrofits to existing buildings.

COMMUNITY

Cave believes that consulting the community is a vital part of the social sustainability of any public or large scale project. We have a wealth of community engagement experience.

Community consultation starts before the design element of a project and can involve community meetings, presentations and workshops. Cave can also offer advice for self builders and community groups, including project planning, budget management, helping to identify potential design challenges, and providing clarity on the project vision.

 
 

Ready to work with us?

  • “I can highly recommend The Cave Co-operative. Their plans were superb and my builder was really impressed with them, their attention to detail was second to none. The company was very professional and really friendly.”

    – Hazel J, Sussex

  • “Cave was exceptional in delivering a contemporary yet functional design for the new extension to my house. What I loved most was the practical input to my own design ideas. The project was finished within budget and time”.

    – Jemma H, Utrecht

  • “We highly recommend The Cave Cooperative to anyone looking to have works done on their home. Paul Harvey guided us patiently through the various options and was able to creatively and cost efficiently meet our 'must have' list. It was also great to have an experienced person manage the contractor and reduce the pressure on us during the build process. We are very pleased with our new home.”

    – Jo S, Kingston

  • I’m so pleased that I engaged Cave to help transform my home. They took what had previously been a dodgy 1980s conversion which was dark and didn’t really work and brought fantastic character back to the property. It’s now a wonderfully light, brilliantly functional and lovely space. I didn’t see its potential when I bought it, but it’s now become the best place in which I’ve ever lived.

    – Bea, Hampton Wick

  • “CAVE have been crucial to developing and realising our Back To Earth Projects here in Tottenham. They have helped us to design and create the Harmony Gardens around Broadwater Farm Community Centre in the most attractive, environmentally friendly and sustainable way. They have been helpful every step of the way and a joy to work with over the last few years. The results have been fantastic! I look forward to a long working relationship with CAVE.”

    – Martin Burrows, Back To Earth Projects

  • Working with Liz and the team at Cave has been a thorough pleasure. From our first meeting through to completion of the project, which was a total renovation of our 3 storey Victorian house, her sensitive attention to detail, style, and ideas were second to none. Starting with the first set of drawings and plans to the inevitable changes and planning applications, they were all handled with the utmost tact and diplomacy. We now have a magnificent home and have nothing but praise for Liz as to how it has all turned out.

    – John & Mandy, Kingston.

  • “Meeting Liz on the above project I found her approach positive and co-operative with both myself and the customer. She understood the customers requirements and also appreciated the builders knowledge and experience. The working drawings were precise and clear and there was very little need to liaise during the build leaving the customer very satisfied with the resulting addition to the property”.

    – Phil Chapman, Contractor, Sussex.

  • “I had been looking around for a suitable sustainable living project and finally bought a sorry-looking ruin in deepest France. Cave helped me knock my rough-and-ready ideas into professional shape. Using original materials and methods, always rigorously enforced, (no cutting corners…), what was ready for the bulldozer is now looking seriously good. I would recommend Cave without hesitation to all who aspire to new and sustainable ways of living”.

    – John F, Kingston, Surrey.