Ten Top Tips – Choosing a Conveyancing Solicitor
Buying a property is one of the largest financial decisions you will make, and it is often triggered by a life changing event such as a new career move, upsizing or downsizing.
Choosing the right Property Solicitor is very important and can help ensure the legal side of moving home runs smoothly.
Here are our top ten tips to choosing your Conveyancing Professional:
- Consider the level and type of service you are choosing.
In the past you would have chosen your solicitor often on the high street of your local town or city. You can now research nationwide law firms online and review online reviews and comparison sites. The online options may be more cost effective as a remote service, but you would not normally meet your conveyancer in person.Choose your Property Solicitor based on the method of service you would like and that you would be happy with. Most traditional firms offer a hybrid approach where you can still meet at their office and in person or you can transact everything electronically if you prefer. - Shop around.
Obtain three quotes before choosing your conveyancing solicitor and ensure the quotes offer the same service on a fixed fee basis. The legal fees will have vat applied and there will be disbursements, which are items that the law firm will need to pay out on your behalf such as Land Registry fees or Searches. - Best Price.
Choosing the cheapest quote is not necessarily the sensible choice. The niche expertise of a qualified conveyancing solicitor is invaluable and paying more for this and the service that goes with it is worth it. - Check online reviews.
Look at review sites online with reviews detailing client experiences. These reviews will help you to make a more informed choice. Also review comparison websites. - Watch out for hidden costs.
A disbursement is something that your solicitor will pay out for a third-party service such as Land Registry searches. Check that all disbursements are included in your quotation. Also check if there are additional legal fees for additional legal services. You may find that some additional legal services are required in most cases and will increase your quotation.All law firms should now display their prices on their website following transparency rules from the regulator so ensure you also look at the firm’s website in advance of making a decision. - Referrals and recommendations.
A recommendation from a friend or family member to a conveyancing solicitor that they have used before is a great way of making the right choice. You may also receive a recommendation from an estate agent or financial advisor, this can include a referral fee payable to them which is factored into the overall price and should be transparent in the quotation you receive. Often agents and advisers insist that you should use their recommended conveyancers, this is incorrect, you are always entitled to instruct a conveyancer of your choice. - Communication.
Excellent communication is essential from the start. If you prefer to communicate with your lawyer in a particular way, then let them know so you can choose how best to communicate with you so you can be kept fully informed in a way that works for you.If anything concerns you about the property at the outset, inform your conveyancer at the start so they can raise a specific enquiry on your behalf. Check what searches are included in your quotation and if something more specific is required then inform your conveyancer so that more in depth searches can be carried out. Continue to communicate with your conveyancer throughout the transaction. - Never be afraid to ask a question.
Even if you think it is obvious or may be seen as silly, always ask questions. Your conveyancing solicitor is there to inform you, so ask about anything that you are concerned about. Make further enquiries about the search results, planning and building regulation approvals, restrictive covenants on the legal tile. Your conveyancing solicitor should always be happy to answer your questions so that you are more informed. - Abortive Fees.
Sometimes your sale or purchase may fall through, if for example the buyer’s circumstances change. Ask if your conveyancing solicitor charges if your matter does not proceed to completion or if they offer a no sale no fee service. If this service is offered, enquire whether you need to purchase insurance and how much this would cost. - Reports.
Ensure your conveyancing solicitor provides full and written reports on the title of the property and a full report on the searches. The title plan for example shows the boundaries to the land and property that you are purchasing and it is important to review the plan and the physical boundaries on the ground.
