Conveyancing Fees

Conveyancing fees cover the amount you'll pay to make sure the legal side of a house sale or purchase is handled correctly.

We hate to start negatively, but the reality is that many online firms that offer online ‘all-in’ quotes are often not telling the whole story. Conveyancing online has become a very competitive business, so you might find that when you receive your quote, not all the relevant items are listed, and those that are, are made to look cheaper than they actually are. We hope our honest advice will help you work out what’s important and what you need to look out for, disbursements and all.

Compare Conveyancing Quotes has been around for several years, so only uses trusted partners when providing online conveyancing quotes.

When looking for an online conveyancing quote, then make sure you get all the full story. Accurately provided quotes should include the conveyancer’s fee and also the disbursements.

What are Conveyancing fees?

Simply put, this is what your conveyancing solicitor will charge you for their time and expertise in connection with your transaction. It doesn’t matter whether you’re buying, selling or even re-mortgaging; you’re going to need the professional services of a business to help you through the conveyancing process.

How much can Conveyancing fees be?

Unfortunately, we can’t put an accurate figure on this as the fee will vary depending on a number of circumstances. Such as the location of the property. For example, if it is near a coal mine or river, then additional searches will be required.

When are my Conveyancing fees payable?

It’s likely you will be asked to pay a deposit to your solicitor, up to 10%. But the remainder will be settled once the sale of the house is completed. But, be aware, that some of the disbursements such as searches, may also require pre-payment. If you’re looking to save on your conveyancing fees, then check out our Compare Conveyancing Quotes online tool for the best solicitors at the best prices.

Are there other Conveyancing fees I need to be aware of?

There are many fees to be considered, most of which we have listed in the disbursements section. However, it is always worth having a contingency pot in your budget, just in case. For example, suppose your seller doesn’t have the required FENSA (Fenestration Self-Assessment scheme) or building regulation certificate for double glazed windows? In that case, you may well need an additional insurance policy.

Is FENSA a legal requirement?

Having a FENSA certificate means that your installation has been officially registered with your local council by the firm that installed the windows in the first instance. It’s a legal requirement when selling your home to provide a certificate of proof.

What are disbursements?

Disbursements are the varying items that your conveyancing solicitor will pay on your behalf to third parties, such as searches. When you receive your conveyancing quote, you’ll notice it will say something along the lines of ‘total cost – conveyancer’s basic fee + disbursements’.

What are the main disbursements I can expect?

We haven’t listed any specific costs here, as they can vary a lot, depending on the prices of the properties you’re buying or selling. However, when you use our online conveyancing fees tool, it should all become a little clearer.

• Anti-money laundering checks – A legal check to verify who you are.
• Title deeds – When selling, you’ll need a copy of the title deeds, generally held by the land registry.
• Searches – When buying, you’ll need local authority searches such as drainage and planning.
• Property fraud – Advisable to check that the solicitor you’re sending money to is real.
• Transferring ownership – On completion, you’ll need to pay the land registry fee for transferring your name with your buyer’s.
• Bank transfer or telegraphic transfer – As prescribed by your mortgage provider, the funds need to reach an account on a specific day, so it is necessary to pay your solicitor for a bank transfer/telegraphic transfer to ensure this happens at precisely the right time.
• Stamp duty – These costs vary, depending on how much the property is worth that you’re buying. Check out our stamp duty article for full guidance.
• Help to buy supplements – If you’re purchasing your property using the ‘help to buy scheme’, then it’s likely you’ll be charged extra by your solicitor due to the additional legal work involved.
• Help to buy ISA – If you’re buying via a ‘help to buy ISA’, then additional legal fees will be payable due to the extra-legal work involved.

What should I do if my sale falls through?

We hope it doesn’t, but unfortunately, that’s life and sales often do fall through. Tip – check with your conveyancing solicitor as some may offer a ‘no sale no fee’ guarantee. That’s not to say the whole thing will become free of charge, but more likely you will only pay a proportion of the conveyancing bill. Some solicitors may waive legal fees, but we find it best to have the conversation upfront, then you know exactly what’s what – no nasty surprises.

In Summary

We’ve tried to cover the main points here in relation to Conveyancing fees, but as with all things, it’s not exhaustive. Use our guide to help and make sure you do your research.