remortgage valuations

dpc197

Hi all

Am currently on A & Ls standard variable rate but am in the process of remortgaging to Britannia on their 2yr 5.49% fix for 90% LTV. Was concerned about meeting this LTV but I've just found out their valuation was higher than I thought, and in fact it puts me at 85% LTV.

I've asked A & L what they would offer me and, as their valuation is based on the Halifax price index, they have me at 96% LTV and so won't offer me anything tempting. However, they said I can pay £99 for a valuation and if it does turn out to be higher and high enough to put me in the 85% bracket, I could have a 4.49% 2yr fix. Obviously I'd like this rate but am concerned about paying £99 only to find out their valuation is lower than the one Britannia conducted.

So the questions are,
has anyone got A & L to do a valuation and if so how did it compare to the Halifac rice index method?
Can remortgage valuations vary much between different valuers?
I live on an estate full of identical houses so I can't personally see why two valuations should differ by much.

Thanks in advance