Charles Donald

Property, Planning & Building Consultant with extensive experience across planning consultancy, building regulations, technical design, listed buildings, refurbishment projects and construction project coordination. Experienced in planning application drawings, Building Regulations packages, defect analysis, heritage statements, design and access statements and the careful design and coordination of residential, heritage, educational and mixed-use projects. Strong understanding of building structure, refurbishment methodology and project feasibility, with regular liaison with planning officers, Building Control inspectors, structural engineers, consultants and contractors throughout the full project lifecycle.

Director at Oxwolds Ltd (2023-12 – Present)

• Prepared full quotations for design and build packages, including scopes of work, construction pricing, materials, labour and project delivery considerations.
• Managed residential refurbishment and extension projects from feasibility and pricing through to contractor coordination and on-site delivery.
• Established and managed a residential design and build company focused on refurbishment, extensions and property improvement projects.
• Responsible for client liaison, estimating, contractor coordination, procurement, construction oversight, project programming and quality control.
• Combined design, technical and construction experience to manage practical delivery issues, site coordination, variations and client expectations.

Director / Residential Property & Building Consultant at Insight Planning & Design, formerly Insight Planning Services (2015-01 – Present)

• Provide residential property consultancy services including measured surveys, planning strategy, building regulations drawings, defect observations, feasibility advice, budget estimates and project coordination.
• Undertake site inspections and surveys for residential properties, including period homes, listed buildings, conservation-area sites and refurbishment projects.
• Prepare planning applications, Listed Building Consent applications, heritage statements, design and access statements, planning statements and supporting technical drawings.
• Produce Building Regulations drawing packages and coordinate with Building Control, structural engineers, drainage specialists, planning officers, heritage consultants and specialist suppliers.
• Advise clients on refurbishment feasibility, repair considerations, construction sequencing, permitted development strategy and likely project costs before work progresses.
• Prepare preliminary budgets, cost advice, contractor pricing and construction estimates to support client decision-making and reduce financial risk at early project stages.
• Manage projects from initial consultation through survey, design, statutory submissions, approvals, technical detailing, contractor coordination and site-stage support.

Residential Property Surveyor / Consultant Surveyor at Dunford Penrose Surveyors (2023-01 – 2024-01)

• Undertook residential survey work and Level 3 Home Survey reporting within a RICS-regulated surveying environment.
• Attended residential inspections and worked with senior surveyors on property condition assessment, visible defects and client reporting.
• Prepared and revised Level 3 survey reports using survey photographs, property research, comparable data and internal templates.
• Used Sprift, Dropbox, internal survey records and report review workflows to support survey preparation and issue.
• Covered regional survey areas including Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and surrounding postcode areas.

Self-employed Builder / Tradesman / Project Manager at Charlie Donald Construction (2003-01 – 2015-12)

• Managed a traditional residential construction business delivering extensions, refurbishments, carpentry, masonry, roofing, groundwork and general building works.
• Read and interpreted drawings, coordinated trades, liaised with Building Control and delivered works from initial client brief through to completion.
• Estimated labour and materials, managed small teams, maintained client relationships and resolved practical site issues across domestic building projects.
• Developed a strong practical understanding of building fabric, sequencing, defects, repair methods and contractor coordination.

Bench Joiner / Carpenter at Sales Achievement, Bicester (2000-01 – 2003-12)

• Produced bespoke joinery and carpentry products for retail and commercial clients from drawings and specifications.
• Developed strong attention to detail, workmanship standards and confidence working from technical information.

Golf Course Construction Foreman / Greenkeeper at Kirtlington Golf Course (1991-01 – 2000-12)

• Worked on golf course construction, drainage, groundwork, land preparation, machinery operation and routine course maintenance.
• Managed practical site tasks, maintenance programmes and team coordination in an outdoor operational environment.

NVQ Level 3 in Carpentry – Aylesbury College

NVQ Level 3 in Greenkeeping – Reaseheath College, Nantwich

Maths, English, Art, P.E., I.T., General Sciences, History, Geography and Social Studies – Dumbarton Academy