Walk Forest Hill from The Horniman Museum and Gardens outwards and the mainly Victorian pattern is obvious: 58% of the 6,684 households in SE23 live in flats, 42% in houses.
Owner-occupation runs at 54% in Forest Hill, so alongside the 27% rental churn there is steady planned work — refurbishments, downsizes and probate clearances booked weeks ahead.
Expect dot-and-dab plasterboard over blockwork in SE23, with metal stud partitions between rooms — where 54% owner-occupation means the same home is booked again rather than a new tenant each year behind the plaster in SE23. That is why fixings are picked in the room rather than off a van shelf, and why in SE23, short screws that grip only the board and slowly lever it off the dabs — which is why London Borough of Lewisham kerb rules get settled before the van is loaded is the fault we are called back to undo.
Two streets can behave very differently in Forest Hill: the Horniman Museum, the hill views and a compact village centre. The quote reflects the street the job is actually on. Forest Hill is outside the Congestion Charge zone but inside ULEZ; our vehicles are compliant, so nothing is added for it.
On access, steep gradients, narrow hill roads and permit bays around the station — one reason one fitter for a pivot or fixed screen; two for sliding and bi-fold enclosures and any wet-room panel over 190cm, which is awkward to hold plumb alone. Fitters travelling in use Forest Hill (Overground).
