Choosing your conveyancing solicitor

When making any other purchase that you are likely to spend a lot of money on, like a new car or the latest phone, you would likely spend hours doing your research. Are you likely to spend the same amount of time choosing the conveyancer for your property transaction?

Choosing the right conveyancer could end up being the key to achieving a smooth and less stressful transaction. Here are some tips for anybody who finds themselves in need of a conveyancer and does not know where to start looking.

Tips for Choosing a Conveyancer

• Ask for recommendations from family and friends and check out independent feedback platforms, such as Google Reviews. These reviews are left directly by former clients for the benefit of others.
• Consider instructing a local conveyancer. They will have invaluable knowledge of local developments and issues that could potentially impact the sale and /or purchase of your property.
• Do your research. Look at firms’ websites. Many firms have numerous helpful resources available and the websites will also offer an insight into their values and ethos.
• Pick up the phone to any firms that catch your eye. See if you can speak to the team that would be dealing with your transaction when you make that initial call. Buying and selling a property is a big deal and can be stressful so it’s important that you are happy with your choice and are not afraid to ask questions.
• Check if your conveyancer is a member of a quality assurance scheme. The Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme is the recognised quality mark for legal experts in buying or selling property, trusted by some of the UK's biggest lenders.
• Obtain ‘like-for-like’ conveyancing quotes. If some conveyancing quotes look cheap, it may be because there are hidden extras that you will be required to pay for on routine aspects of your sale or purchase. For example, acting for a mortgage lender and complying with the conditions contained in your mortgage offer in a purchase or dealing with a redemption in a sale. Look out for ‘Additional Charges’ sheets and read them carefully to understand the total cost. 
• Check that your chosen conveyancer is on your mortgage lender’s panel. Mortgage lenders have a panel of trusted firms and they will only work with these particular firms.

If you would like to talk to a member of our residential property team about buying and/or selling your property, please call 0330 0945 500, email info@neves.co.uk or complete our Contact Form and we'll get back to you.

You can obtain an instant quote for your property transaction by clicking the Residential Conveyancing Fees link below.