Does anyone have experience of the Comparis mortgage market deal/offer? Is it any good, or would playing a few local banks off against each other get you the best mortgage deal?

I'd say the latter.

I also agree with Lob Rockster. As some banks want additional information for a mortgage, which Comparis did not ask.

We just wrote a few banks emails for offers, then we picked the best ones called them set up appointments and then took one day off to go around in person and get everything explained (especially as my hubby used to be a contractor which makes it difficult to get a mortgage with certain banks).

And certainly let the banks know if you have a better offer somewhere else, to try to get the best deal!

I didn't have a very good experience with Comparis, but I do think it maybe a good service, worth paying for.

In brief, one of the provisional offers I received reneged on its offer once I provided further information. Without going into detail, they reneged for what seemed to be a bizarre reason, which the other banks didn't share (fortunately). Whilst this was happening the interest rates increased by 0.2%, which means that as well as wasting my time, I wasted money. When I complained to Comparis, they responded in good faith by refunding me the fee.

However, I think that Comparis does provide a quick method of comparison if the rate you are getting is a good one. The fee is probably worth the saving in legwork, as long as you're not unlucky with the interest rates going up, as I was.

In my experience: *B* were rude as hell. Looked at me in disgust - I was 7 months preggers at the time. And basically spoke to my other half and never with me.
KZB were great to deal with and couldn't do enough for us, plus their offer was better than *B* to boot.

For sure visit a few banks. If you are in a position to put some investments as security, particularly invested via the bank, you can get VERY substantial discounts on both the mortgage and the asset management fees. Daniel