Contract planning in Chalk Farm
Documented building context
Camden describes many Harmood Street houses as yellow London stock-brick buildings of 1840–1870, with two storeys and a cottage scale. Its statement records largely hidden butterfly or M-shaped roofs, with shallow slate pitches meeting at a central gutter. The source describes that group’s form; it does not establish how a particular roof has subsequently been altered.
The statement identifies 68–100 Harmood Street as two-window-wide houses in yellow stock brick with flat parapets. It notes round-headed entrance arches and sash-window details towards Powlett Place, alongside some rendered and painted variations. These observations identify a particular terrace, not the present condition or completeness of original features at each address.
At the northern end of Harmood Street’s eastern side, Camden records three-storey houses at 102–108, contrasting with the two-storey buildings farther south. Its description also notes shallow front gardens along the street. The height difference matters when identifying the dwelling and the elevations relevant to a project, particularly where a house has been divided.
Camden describes Powlett Place as a small cul-de-sac with terraces similar to 68–100 Harmood Street, deeper planted front gardens and brick garden walls. It records a small green at the end, modern houses on either side and the railway forming the eastern boundary. That account distinguishes both the street arrangement and later buildings within it.
Chalk Farm tender and contract decisions
A Harmood Street tender should show the butterfly or M-shaped roof arrangement actually found at the property. Identify the central gutter, outlets and proposed access, with temporary weather protection defined for the sequence of work. The street-facing parapet is not enough information to price the covering behind it. Establish the condition and relevant construction through the agreed survey before selecting the repair detail.
For the different Harmood Street house groups, distinguish a modest two-storey cottage from higher accommodation and later alterations. Keep the roof-room, window and wall work in separate priced sections where their interfaces differ. A JCT instruction changing one junction should identify the drawing revision and the evidence used to assess its value; it should not become a general authorisation for unrelated upper-floor work.
What should the Chalk Farm tender and completion file make clear?
At Powlett Place, locate the actual route for rear access and deliveries instead of assuming a through passage. Obtain the client's access arrangements and programme protection around occupied entrances. At completion, record the inspected roof sections, drainage connections and remaining documents by location. Camden's historical account does not verify present access rights, current condition or satisfactory performance of concealed work.
Appointment
HCS cannot act as independent contract administrator where HCS is the contractor.
Local Sources Checked
- Camden: Harmood Street Conservation Area Statement, adopted September 2005 — Harmood Street and Powlett Place; printed pages 5–6 (PDF pages 9, 11)
Nearby contract administration
Accountability
Provider
Hampstead Chartered Surveyors & Building Consultancy — RICS Regulated Firm No. 923064
Other Chalk Farm surveying services
Need a RICS survey quote in Chalk Farm? We confirm a fixed fee after scoping. Call 020 7101 4590, email enquiries@hampsteadcharteredsurveyors.co.uk, or inspect our redacted RICS Level 3 sample reports. Sample reports.