Finding a great conveyancing solicitor can save you thousands of pounds and months of stress. Here's exactly what to look for, the regulators to check, and the red flags to avoid.
Key Points
| Type | Regulator | Scope | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solicitor | SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) | Full legal services; conveyancing is one part | Often slightly higher |
| Licensed Conveyancer | CLC (Council for Licensed Conveyancers) | Property transactions only—specialist focus | Often competitive |
| Scottish Solicitor | LSS (Law Society of Scotland) | Scottish property law (different system) | Similar range |
| NI Solicitor | LSNI (Law Society of Northern Ireland) | Northern Ireland property transactions | Similar range |
For most standard residential transactions in England and Wales, a licensed conveyancer is perfectly adequate. A solicitor may be preferable if your transaction is complex (e.g., involving trusts, disputes, or unusual title issues) or if you want a single firm to handle other legal matters simultaneously.
⚡ Responsiveness
How quickly do they respond to calls and emails? Delays in communication are the single biggest cause of slow conveyancing. Ask about their typical response time when enquiring.
🏦 Lender panel membership
If you have a mortgage, your solicitor must be on your lender's approved panel. Always confirm this before instructing—non-panel firms require you to pay for the lender's separate solicitor too.
⭐ Verified reviews
Check Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and independent comparison platforms. Look for consistent patterns in feedback—both positive and negative—rather than a handful of reviews.
📋 Transparent quoting
A reputable firm provides a detailed quote showing legal fees and disbursements (searches, Land Registry, SDLT return) separately. Beware firms that quote a very low figure but bury large disbursements in the small print.
🏘️ Experience with your property type
Leasehold, new build, shared ownership, auction, and Help to Buy transactions each have specific complexities. Check whether the firm has relevant experience with your property type.
🔍 Case tracking
Many online conveyancers offer portal access to track case progress 24/7. This reduces chasing calls and gives you peace of mind between milestones.
🏢 Local / High Street Solicitors
Pros: Face-to-face meetings possible, local market knowledge, often more personal service.
Cons: Often more expensive, may handle fewer property transactions per year, hours limited to office opening times.
💻 Online Conveyancers
Pros: Usually cheaper, handle high volumes so may be faster, case tracking portals, available outside office hours.
Cons: No face-to-face, may feel impersonal, can be harder to reach a named contact when needed.
In practice, the distinction matters less than the individual firm's reputation and responsiveness. A highly rated online conveyancer typically outperforms a poorly-rated local solicitor.
Prices vary significantly. Moving Merchant compares total cost (fees + disbursements + VAT) across our regulated partner network and sends you one best-matched quote — saving you the hassle of contacting firms individually.
Before going further, confirm the firm is on your specific lender's panel. Different lenders have different approved lists—being on Nationwide's panel doesn't mean they're on Halifax's.
Search the firm name on Trustpilot, Google, and the Legal Ombudsman's decision database. A quick search can reveal patterns that don't show in the firm's own marketing.
Around 32% of property sales fall through in England and Wales. A no-sale no-fee conveyancer won't charge legal fees if the sale doesn't reach exchange—reducing your financial risk significantly.
Use the SRA Register at sra.org.uk or the CLC Register at clc-uk.org to confirm the firm is currently authorised. This takes 60 seconds and is an essential safety check.
| Transaction Type | Average Legal Fee | Typical Disbursements | Total Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buying (freehold) | ~£950–£1,500 | ~£400–£700 | ~£1,575 |
| Selling (freehold) | ~£850–£1,400 | ~£200–£400 | ~£1,642 |
| Buying (leasehold) | ~£1,200–£1,800 | ~£500–£900 | ~£1,879 |
| London (buying) | ~£1,400–£2,500 | ~£500–£900 | ~£3,074 |
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