Census 2021 puts Kensington at 13,346 households with a median age of 37.4. The period conversion stock is renter-heavy, which is why 17% houses and 83% flats need different handling in W8.
Owner-occupation runs at 35% in Kensington, so alongside the 46% rental churn there is steady planned work — refurbishments, downsizes and probate clearances booked weeks ahead.
Walls are with solid brick on the party and external walls, over lath and plaster over timber studs — measured on the walk in from High Street Kensington (Circle, District) rather than assumed from a map, so the fixing that matters in Kensington is chosen on site — the usual failure here is a plasterboard plug spun into lime plaster; locally that also means which crumbles the key and drops the panel — the reality on the streets around Kensington Palace.
Two streets can behave very differently in Kensington: the high street, palace gardens and the quiet garden squares of Kensington proper. The quote reflects the street the job is actually on. Kensington sits inside the Congestion Charge zone as well as ULEZ, so both are itemised on the quote rather than absorbed into an hourly rate.
On access, mansion blocks with cage lifts and porter sign-in; Kensington High Street loading windows are short — one reason one fitter for a typical multi-item visit; two where anything crosses 30kg or has to be carried up a shared stairwell. Fitters travelling in use High Street Kensington (Circle, District).
