Main contracting
Design & Build Leadership
We act as main contractor for new homes and substantial extensions, from early design input and buildability advice through to completion on site. One contract, one lead, all trades managed.
Cambridge · Residential Delivery
A main contractor delivering modern thinking, with professional discipline built in.
We deliver new builds, extensions and refurbishments with calm and discipline. We manage cost, scope and outcome thoughtfully from start to finish.
Residential · Cambridge
Built with control.
Delivered with calm.
Delivered with calm.
Our delivery model is simple. Clear leadership and considered decisions create a calm, predictable process.
Lead
Clear Lead
One point of responsibility from first meeting through to handover.
Decisions
Structured Decisions
Options, costs and scope agreed clearly as the project progresses.
Handover
Calm Handover
Snagging, documentation and aftercare with a clear closeout.
Why Cambridge Abodes
Premium delivery, with commercial discipline.
Built for clients who value clarity, structure and a well run site, and want confidence in the outcome.
Professionalism
We run your project with the discipline that you would expect on a larger scheme: clear scopes, deliberate sequencing, and consistent communication ensuring quality stays high and decisions do not drift.
- Clear programme and trade coordination.
- Site-led decisions explained in plain English.
- Quality control that doesn’t rely on luck.
Trust & Loyalty
We are not trying to be the cheapest. We are here to be the best partner that is consistent, accountable, and commercially switched on from day one.
- Transparent cost and change control.
- Calm, steady leadership on site.
- Clean handover, then responsive aftercare.
Who we are
A new kind of residential delivery in Cambridge.
“We lead projects with clarity and structure, creating a calm, predictable experience from start to finish.”
Residential delivery, led with clarity and control.
Cambridge Abodes is led by Laurence Neve, a Quantity Surveyor with nearly 20 years’ commercial experience across major contracting and professional practice. Laurence’s aim is simple: to bring the clarity, structure and foresight typically found on well run large construction schemes into the residential sector, so your project feels calm, organised and professionally controlled.
Why that matters for your project
Residential builds can drift when scope, decisions and cost control are left to chance. We run projects with a clear lead and a structured decision process, so you always know what is happening, what is next, and what it means for budget and programme.
Experience you can feel on site
Laurence’s experience spans client side consulting, super prime residential main contracting and specialist subcontracting. That means we can “speak” every side of the table, managing project risks effectively, and keeping trades aligned. You will see disciplined procurement, clear documentation, practical reporting to suit your needs, all being delivered in plain English, without the noise.
What you can expect with Cambridge Abodes
Clear scope, work schedules and trade coordination. Thoughtful cost planning to suit your budget with transparent change control. Calm, and experienced site leadership. Regular updates that help you make confident decisions. And a clean handover with aftercare that is responsive and straightforward.
Two ways to engage
If you want a single point of responsibility, we can deliver as main contractor. If you prefer to appoint another builder, we can support as an independent commercial advisor / quantity surveyor, helping you keep commercial control of your project throughout.
Services
A complete delivery stack for residential projects.
We can act as your contractor, or providing independent contract and commercial advice where required.
Construction
Extensions & Refurbishment
Rear and side extensions, loft conversions, internal reconfigurations and full refurbishments, all carefully phased and managed, particularly where you're living in the property during works.
Consultancy
Quantity Surveying
Cost planning, tendering and commercial management for residential schemes, whether or not we act as your main contractor. Providing clear visibility of budgets, options and risk.
Consultancy
Contract Administration
Acting independently as Contract Administrator on residential projects, we help ensure the contract is clearly understood and fairly administered between client and contractor.
Client support
Pre-project Advice
Early stage conversations around feasibility, phasing and funding, so you can decide with confidence whether to proceed, pause or reshape the brief before committing heavily.
Long-term
Aftercare & Enhancements
Post completion snagging, minor tweaks and planned upgrades, keeping your property performing and feeling as it should once you’ve moved back in.
How we work
Main-contractor structure, simplified for clients.
Two ways to engage but one delivery standard. Choose the route that fits your project and how hands on you want to be.
Contracting
Acting as main contractor, we provide clear leadership, coordinated trades and disciplined control across the build. Decisions, scope and programme are managed proactively, without the noise of day-to-day firefighting.
Best for clients who want a calm, structured team to own delivery from mobilisation to handover.
01
Brief & feasibility
We align on goals, constraints and budget, identifying risk early and helping you understand what is realistic, what is optional and what should be protected.
02
Design with buildability in mind
We work with your designer (or ours) to develop proposals that are both right for you and practical to deliver, with structure, cost, programme and procurement aligned from the start.
03
Procurement of building firms & trades
We appoint the right builders and specialists from a trusted network, with clearly defined scopes and coordinated responsibilities.
04
On-site delivery as main contractor
Programme, health and safety, quality and decision-making are managed proactively, supported by calm communication and consistent site standards.
05
Contract & commercial control
Contract and commercial control is handled with structure and transparency, maintaining clarity around programme, cost, scope and change as the project evolves.
06
Handover & aftercare
Snagging, documentation and warranties are brought together at handover, with a clear route back for aftercare and future phases.
Consultancy
Prefer to use another builder but still want professional commercial oversight? We can act as your independent Quantity Surveyor or Contract Administrator, supporting clear cost management, reporting and contract administration throughout delivery.
Best for clients who want greater clarity, structured reporting and professional oversight, without changing their chosen contractor.
Example Schemes
How we might operate for you.
A few representative schemes. We are happy to walk and talk you through our services on a call.
Design & Build
New-build family home, village outside Cambridge
Single point of responsibilityExtension & refit
Rear extension + full ground floor refurbishment
Live-in sequencingRefurbishment
Complete house refurbishment with staged handover
Controlled changeConsultancy
CA & QS services for private developer
Independent oversightContact
Start a project conversation.
Tell us what you are planning. We will guide you through the best way to deliver it.
Share a few details and we will come back with a clear next step, whether that is a call, a site visit, or a quick feasibility steer.
Typical first step: a 15–20 minute call to understand scope, timings, and what “good” looks like for you.
Use our quick two-step enquiry to confirm coverage and send your project details through.