My last experience of this was a scam – which cost us money whilst being messed about. I write to assure you that Whitewells Surveyors have restored my faith in this process.
I was advised from the start that no money would be taken unless they were successful and advised that we would be paid directly from the council before we had to settle their bill.
You will pay a percentage of what they get back which I thought was high BUT to be honest we tried to claim ourselves to be told a flat NO – yet Whitewells actually got us a large sum of money back whilst also ensuring that next year’s bill is correct. shame on our local council for being so dishonest!!