My mother died earlier in 2020 and once probate had been granted I asked 3 local EA's to value her property with a view to selling it through one of them. One cancelled at short notice, their appraisal was due the day after a bank holiday and the weather was great, can't think why they'd cancel without giving a reason!! Of the others, Tony the R&D Oldham branch managers approach was by far the more professional, he produced a written breakdown of the house and comparables in nearby streets with their selling price. He also produced a valid EPC which, unbeknown to me, had been done some years earlier, the other EA tried to sell me one! R&D were quite a bit more expensive than the other agency and when I put this to them Tony responded within an hour with a concise and professional explanation justifying the extra expense so I went with them. One of the advantages was using a professional photographer to do photos and videos and I have to say these were outstanding, particularly after seeing a bedroom photo taken by the other EA at a nearby property with a car tyre in it!! When the house went up for sale the market was “hot” and 10 viewings were arranged for the first weekend. In the event the first viewer made an asking price offer and having proved she had the wherewithal to purchase I accepted it. Laura Chadderton was the appointed sales negotiator and I have to say she had her finger on the pulse and was constantly updating me prior to the sale and during it's progress. So Mike, Laura and the other staff I dealt with were all very much on the ball so - why only 4 stars? R&D have a scheme of recommended solicitors called “contract ready” for which they receive a significant referral fee and both myself and the purchaser used it. This was a simple single transaction, vacant possession property and a ready to go purchaser yet it took 18 weeks from offer to completion. Why? I can identify probably at least 6 weeks or more when both sides solicitors simply didn't act or answer the other side. Laura, to her credit, tried to chivvy them along but with mine action only happened when I emailed them direct. With a more complex, chain type of sale I can imagine this dilatory service from lawyers recommended by R&D would be much more likely to lead to a failure. So R&D as estate agents 5*, their recommended lawyers scheme 1*. Come on big bosses at R&D don't just look at the lawyers as a revenue stream, treat them as an added benefit for your primary customers. Impose some service standards and make sure they're adhered to. Win/win.