Growing up in a rural 18th century farmhouse instilled a life-long interest in the relationship between the natural and built environment, which informed a career that has revolved around property development and surveying.

I graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2007 with a Masters in Geography.  At university I had my first taste of surveying, applying hydrographic and topographic survey techniques to measure beach and nearshore profiles for a dissertation on the geomorphological impacts of landslides on the East Devon coastline. 

After graduation I took on the challenge of converting an old cow barn into a small residential dwelling.  Overseeing the project from concept to completion proved a steep learning curve, which not only improved my practical skills, but gave me a good appreciation of the planning process and what it takes to manage a building project.

Following on from this I lived and worked in France for a year, firstly on another barn conversion in the Indre-et-Loire, and then as part of a team working on two new-build chalets in the French Alps. 

On returning to the UK in 2009, I started working as a land and nearshore surveyor, before joining Fugro Survey in 2012 as a data processor, working on survey vessels around the world on offshore construction projects.

Whilst still working offshore, my wife and I bought a small run-down 17th century cottage in East Devon requiring full renovation and a kitchen extension. I managed the project and carried out the majority of the building works, carefully navigating the challenges faced when old meets new; learning to meet the needs of modern living whilst remaining sympathetic to the heritage of the property.

From 2016 to 2019 I worked as a project coordinator on two projects that ran concurrently; the conversion of a group of barns to six residential dwellings, and the conversion of an old church hall to three residential dwellings. For me, the most rewarding aspect of these projects was the planning stage, working alongside the project architect to achieve contemporary designs, without compromising the existing character of the buildings and their surroundings.

Having enjoyed the design and planning aspect of these projects, I completed the City & Guilds Level 3 CAD course, passing with Distinction in 2020. I subsequently returned to surveying with Force Ten Survey, carrying out topographic and measured building surveys, processing the data and producing a variety of CAD drawings for clients across the South West.

My time with Force Ten - for whom I still work in a freelance capacity - gave me invaluable experience and the confidence to produce planning-related drawings for my own projects and those of family and friends. This led to me starting Paget Design & Planning, merging my expanded skillset with the knowledge and experience gained over the years in property development.

I have a healthy appreciation of the challenges that older properties can present when we look to modify them, but this serves as my motivation; to find pragmatic design solutions that work for you and your property.