Residential Conveyancing Fees
What is the cost of conveyancing?
Price range
- £1,500 - £3,750 +VAT
Based on a straightforward sale or purchase of a property that has good title - 10-12 weeks
Typical sale or purchase with no delays or additional services required - Meet the team
Our approach to conveyancing
We think it is very important for clients to have choice in terms of how much support they require from us and the costs involved in receiving that support.
We have a large Conveyancing team which offers residential conveyancing from our London, Watford, Birmingham, Henleaze and Bristol offices. The combination of local market familiarity and extensive legal expertise ensures that your move progresses as smoothly and quickly as possible.
All our offices have experienced conveyancing staff who offer a professional legal service underpinned by technology to help you through the process. We collectively have many years of conveyancing experience and have dealt with property transactions ranging from the straightforward to highly complex.
Our approach to pricing
We provide choice and flexibility to our clients.
We usually charge clients by way of a fixed fee. The fixed fee is calculated by reference to a number of factors, such as the type of property, price of the property, how the transaction will be financed, whether it is a sale or purchase, where the property is located and anticipated timescale. We will agree the fixed fee with you at the outset of the matter.
Occasionally, we charge on the basis of an hourly rate and estimate the costs based on the amount of time we think the matter will take. We set out all of the rates and the estimates in our letter of engagement so that each client authorises our costs at the outset of the matter, and we provide regular costs updates for approval as the case proceeds.
No two conveyancing matters are the same and the ultimate cost will depend on the individual circumstances of each matter.
Fees for purchasing a property
Our fees for purchasing a freehold or leasehold property generally range from £1,500 to £3,750 plus VAT of 20%. This range is based on a straightforward purchase of a property that has good title.
If, however, additional steps to those set out below need to be taken, or the matter is more complicated because, for example the title is defective, the building is listed and unauthorised works have been carried out, or the property is part of a title only, costs might exceed the range provided. If this is the case, we will advise you on the estimated additional costs as soon as we become aware.
Fees for selling a property
Our fees for selling a freehold or leasehold property range from £1,500 - £2,950 plus VAT of 20%. This range is based on a straightforward sale of a property that has good title.
If, however, additional steps to those set out below need to be taken, or the matter is more complicated because, for example, the title is defective, you or a previous owner have carried out works without obtaining consents, there are multiple mortgages to pay off, or a compliance certificate is needed to sell the property, costs might exceed the range provided. If this is the case, we will advise you on the estimated additional costs as soon as we become aware.
Disbursements (not included in fee estimates)
In addition to our fees, other costs will arise during the matter that are payable to third parties. These costs are called 'disbursements' and are likely to include search fees of approximately £425 and HM Land Registry fees that are calculated according to the transaction value. You can calculate the amount that you will need to pay using the HM Land Registry website.
We will keep you updated on these expenses throughout the matter and let you know in advance before they are incurred. We will also inform you if additional exceptional expenses are required.
Stamp Duty Land Tax
If you are purchasing a property, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) may be payable in addition to our costs and any disbursements. The rate of SDLT that will be payable on completion will depend on the value of the property and any relief you may be entitled to. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay using HMRC's website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority's website.
Timescales
At the outset of a matter it can be difficult to predict timescales, because the time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to concluding the sale or purchase depends largely on the other parties in the chain. It is also hard to predict how complicated a transaction will be before conducting a thorough investigation into the property. A typical sale or purchase where there are no delays or additional services required takes between 10-12 weeks.
We will provide you with a more accurate timescale once we have more information and update you as the matter progresses.
Our conveyancing services
Purchasing a property
The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following:
- Due diligence, including local authority searches, Environmental searches, water and drainage searches, and mining searches
- Reviewing the purchase contract and liaising with the Seller's solicitor
- Raising preliminary enquiries
- Investigating the seller's title and matters affecting use of the property
- Preparing a detailed report on title to you
- Reviewing the mortgage offer terms, if a mortgage is needed, and reporting to your lender
- Exchanging contracts and arranging for funds to be transferred
- Post completion formalities including registration with the Land Registry and SDLT payment.
Additional services
The range of costs shown above does not include the following additional services, and we will provide a separate fee estimate for these services, should you require them:
- Dealing with title defects
- Engaging in protracted negotiations with the seller
- Arranging indemnity insurance
- Obtaining planning or building regulations consents
- Advising on a management scheme
- Advising on development of the property
- Buying part of an existing property.
Selling a property
The fees set out above cover all of the work in relation to the following services:
- Drafting and submitting the sale contract to the buyer's solicitors
- Responding to the buyer's lawyers' preliminary enquiries on the legal paperwork supplied
- Obtaining your signature, agreeing the completion date and exchanging contracts
- Completion of the sale
- Transfer of funds to you and repayment of any mortgage.
Additional services
The range of costs shown above does not include the following additional services, and we will provide a separate fee estimate for these services, should you require them:
- Dealing with any defects in your legal title
- Effecting indemnity insurance in connection with title issues
- Providing advice to you in respect of the buyer's default
- Becoming involved in contentious correspondence and proceedings
- Verifying the buyer's financial status or ability to complete in the event of insolvency, death etc.