Question 1

What is conveyancing?

Accepted Answer

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from one person to another. It covers everything from reviewing the contract of sale and conducting property searches, to exchanging contracts and completing the transaction. A licensed conveyancer or solicitor handles this work on your behalf.

Question 2

How long does conveyancing take?

Accepted Answer

The average conveyancing transaction takes between 8 and 12 weeks from the point an offer is accepted to completion. However, this can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the chain, the speed of local authority searches, and whether any legal issues arise with the title.

Question 3

What is the difference between a solicitor and a licensed conveyancer?

Accepted Answer

A solicitor is a fully qualified lawyer regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) who can handle all types of legal work, including conveyancing. A licensed conveyancer is a specialist in property law regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). Both are equally qualified to handle residential conveyancing — all firms on our panel are regulated by either the SRA or CLC.

Question 4

Do I need a conveyancer if I am buying with a mortgage?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you are purchasing with a mortgage, your lender will require a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to act on their behalf as well as yours. In most cases, the same firm can act for both you and the lender, which keeps costs down.

Question 5

Can I do my own conveyancing?

Accepted Answer

Technically, you can handle your own conveyancing if you are a cash buyer, but it is strongly inadvisable. Most mortgage lenders will not allow it, and the risks of missing legal issues — such as restrictive covenants, boundary disputes, or title defects — are significant. Using a regulated professional protects you.

Question 6

How much does conveyancing cost?

Accepted Answer

Conveyancing costs vary depending on the property value, transaction type, and complexity. For a straightforward freehold purchase at £300,000, you can typically expect to pay between £800 and £1,500 in legal fees (including VAT), plus disbursements such as Land Registry fees and search fees. Use our free quote tool to get accurate, itemised quotes from regulated firms in under 2 minutes.

Question 7

What are disbursements?

Accepted Answer

Disbursements are third-party costs that your conveyancer pays on your behalf and then recharges to you. Common disbursements include local authority searches (typically £100–£300), Land Registry registration fees (£20–£910 depending on property value), electronic transfer fees (around £30), and bankruptcy searches (around £4 per person).

Question 8

What is Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)?

Accepted Answer

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a government tax payable when you purchase a property in England or Northern Ireland above certain thresholds. The rate depends on the purchase price, whether you are a first-time buyer, and whether you already own property. Your conveyancer will calculate and pay SDLT to HMRC on your behalf at completion.

Question 9

Are there extra costs for leasehold properties?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Leasehold transactions typically attract additional legal fees because your solicitor must review the lease, obtain management information from the freeholder or managing agent, and deal with notice of assignment and charge. Expect to pay an additional £150–£350 for leasehold work.

Question 10

What is a no-completion, no-fee policy?

Accepted Answer

Many conveyancers offer a 'no completion, no fee' or 'no sale, no fee' guarantee, meaning that if your transaction falls through before exchange of contracts, you will not be charged their legal fees. You may still be liable for disbursements already incurred, such as search fees. Always check the terms before instructing.

Question 11

What happens after I instruct a conveyancer?

Accepted Answer

Once you instruct a conveyancer, they will send you a client care letter and ID verification request. They will then obtain the draft contract from the seller's solicitor, raise enquiries, order property searches, and review the title. Once all enquiries are resolved and your mortgage offer is in place, you will exchange contracts and agree a completion date.

Question 12

What is the difference between exchange and completion?

Accepted Answer

Exchange of contracts is the point at which the transaction becomes legally binding. Both parties sign identical contracts and they are 'exchanged' between solicitors. Completion is the day you actually move — the purchase price is transferred and you receive the keys. There is usually a gap of 1–4 weeks between exchange and completion.

Question 13

What are property searches?

Accepted Answer

Property searches are enquiries made to various authorities to uncover information about the property and surrounding area. The standard searches are: Local Authority Search (planning history, road adoptions, enforcement notices), Drainage & Water Search (public sewers, water supply), and Environmental Search (flood risk, contaminated land). Your conveyancer will advise on which searches are required.

Question 14

What is a title register?

Accepted Answer

The title register is the official record at HM Land Registry that confirms who owns a property and sets out any rights, restrictions, or charges registered against it. Your conveyancer will obtain and review the title register as part of the conveyancing process to ensure the seller has the right to sell and that there are no undisclosed issues.

Question 15

What is a completion statement?

Accepted Answer

A completion statement is a financial summary prepared by your conveyancer showing all the money due on completion — including the balance of the purchase price, SDLT, Land Registry fees, and any other disbursements. You will need to transfer the total amount to your conveyancer before completion day.

Question 16

How does Compare the Conveyancing Market work?

Accepted Answer

Simply answer a few questions about your property transaction — the type of transaction, property value, postcode, and your specific circumstances. We will instantly generate side-by-side quotes from our panel of SRA and CLC regulated conveyancers. You can then compare fees, ratings, and accreditations before choosing and instructing your preferred firm directly online.

Question 17

Is it free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our comparison service is completely free to use. There is no charge for generating quotes and no obligation to instruct any of the firms. We are paid a referral fee by the conveyancing firms when you choose to instruct through us — this does not affect the price you pay.

Question 18

Are the quotes accurate?

Accepted Answer

Our quotes are calculated using the actual fee structures of each firm on our panel, based on the information you provide. The prices displayed are exclusive rates negotiated for clients who instruct through Compare the Conveyancing Market — they are not available if you approach the firm directly. Final fees may vary slightly if your circumstances change during the transaction.

Question 19

How are the conveyancing firms vetted?

Accepted Answer

Every firm on our panel must be regulated by either the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), hold a minimum 4.5-star customer rating, and meet our quality standards. We regularly review firm performance and remove any firm that falls below our benchmarks.

Question 20

What happens after I instruct a firm through your website?

Accepted Answer

Once you instruct a firm through our platform, the conveyancing firm will contact you directly within 24 hours to begin the onboarding process. You will be asked to verify your identity and provide details of your transaction. From that point, you deal directly with your chosen firm — we are here if you need any assistance.

Conveyancing Explained

Conveyancing Basics

Ready to Compare Quotes?