What Are Average Conveyancing Fees?
Based on Moving Merchant partner data, the average conveyancing fees are approximately £1,750 when buying and £820 when selling a property. These figures include the solicitor's legal fee plus standard disbursements, but exclude Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
💡 Important: Conveyancing fees vary enormously between solicitors — sometimes by 200–300% for the same transaction. Using Moving Merchant means we compare across our regulated network and send you one competitive, best-matched quote.
Conveyancing Fees for Buying a Property
When purchasing a property, you'll pay the solicitor's legal fee plus a series of disbursements. The overall cost depends on the property price, whether it's leasehold or freehold, and your location.
| Property Price | Solicitor Fee (freehold) | Disbursements | Total (ex-SDLT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to £150,000 | £700 – £950 | £300 – £450 | £1,000 – £1,400 |
| £150,001 – £250,000 | £800 – £1,100 | £350 – £520 | £1,150 – £1,620 |
| £250,001 – £400,000 | £950 – £1,350 | £400 – £600 | £1,350 – £1,950 |
| £400,001 – £600,000 | £1,100 – £1,600 | £450 – £700 | £1,550 – £2,300 |
| £600,001 – £1,000,000 | £1,400 – £2,200 | £550 – £900 | £1,950 – £3,100 |
| Over £1,000,000 | £2,000+ | £700+ | £2,700+ |
Leasehold premium — add to the above:
| Property Type | Additional Leasehold Cost |
|---|---|
| Leasehold flat / apartment | £200 – £500 extra |
| Shared Ownership purchase | £300 – £600 extra |
| New Build property | £150 – £400 extra |
| Help to Buy (equity loan) | £150 – £350 extra |
Conveyancing Fees for Selling a Property
Selling is generally cheaper than buying — there are fewer searches involved and the solicitor's role is primarily about preparing and managing the contract.
| Property Type | Solicitor Fee | Disbursements | Total (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freehold sale (to £250k) | £650 – £900 | £150 – £280 | £800 – £1,180 |
| Freehold sale (£250k–£500k) | £750 – £1,050 | £160 – £300 | £910 – £1,350 |
| Leasehold flat sale | £850 – £1,200 | £200 – £400 | £1,050 – £1,600 |
| Freehold sale (over £500k) | £1,000 – £1,600 | £200 – £400 | £1,200 – £2,000 |
What Are Disbursements?
Disbursements are third-party costs your solicitor pays on your behalf during the transaction. They are largely unavoidable — the same costs apply regardless of which solicitor you use, though the exact amounts vary slightly.
| Disbursement | Who pays? | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| Local authority search | Buyer | £80 – £200 |
| Drainage and water search | Buyer | £30 – £60 |
| Environmental search | Buyer | £35 – £80 |
| Chancel repair search | Buyer | £20 – £30 |
| Land Registry fee | Buyer | £20 – £910 (based on price) |
| Electronic transfer fee | Buyer & seller | £20 – £40 |
| ID verification | Buyer & seller | £10 – £30 |
| Office copies (deeds) | Seller | £6 – £20 |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax | Buyer only | Varies by price |
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
Stamp Duty is a government tax on property purchases. It's calculated on the purchase price using the following banded rates (England and Northern Ireland):
| Property Value Band | Standard Rate | First-Time Buyer Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £250,000 | 0% | 0% (up to £425,000) |
| £250,001 – £925,000 | 5% | 5% (above £425,000) |
| £925,001 – £1,500,000 | 10% | 10% |
| Over £1,500,000 | 12% | 12% |
Additional property surcharge: A 5% surcharge applies to all purchases of additional properties (buy-to-let, second homes). Use our Stamp Duty Calculator to estimate your exact liability.
Free Conveyancing Fee Estimator
💰 Estimate Your Conveyancing Costs
How to Save on Conveyancing Fees
- Use a comparison service — fees vary enormously between solicitors for identical work. Moving Merchant compares across our network and sends you the best-value match.
- Choose fixed-fee conveyancing — avoid percentage-based fees which increase with property price.
- Ask about no-sale-no-fee — this protects you if the transaction falls through before exchange.
- Don't just use your estate agent's recommended solicitor — agents often earn referral fees, meaning their recommendation may not be the best value for you.
- Check for hidden extras — ensure the quote includes all disbursements and doesn't have vague "additional charges may apply" caveats.