How to choose a conveyancing solicitor

Buying or selling a property involves substantial legal work, from contract reviews to fund transfers and title registration. Your conveyancer handles this process, which means selecting the right one matters.

The challenge is knowing where to look and what separates a good conveyancer from an average one. With hundreds of firms offering conveyancing services, you need clear criteria for making comparisons.

First-time buyers face specific challenges when selecting a conveyancing solicitor. Without previous experience of the process, it's harder to know which questions to ask or what constitutes good service.

Look for a conveyancer who explains each stage clearly and provides regular updates. Check they're on your mortgage lender's panel and understand FTB concerns like Help to Buy, Lifetime ISAs, gifted deposits and stamp duty relief. 

Our first-time buyer service includes dedicated support designed for people buying their first property. The sections below cover how to find, evaluate and compare conveyancers regardless of your experience level.

Online comparison services

Conveyancing comparison websites let you view multiple quotes at once. These services collect basic details about your transaction and return quotes from firms on their panels. Most comparison sites earn commission from firms, so check they're showing you genuine best fits rather than whoever pays the highest referral fee.

Homeward Legal connects you with experienced conveyancing solicitors across England and Wales. We work with CQS-accredited firms that meet strict quality standards, and our fixed-fee quotes include all standard legal costs upfront.

Professional directories

The Law Society Find a Solicitor tool lets you search for qualified solicitors by location and specialisation. Every listed firm is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The Council for Licensed Conveyancers directory lists licensed conveyancers regulated by the CLC. Both directories verify qualifications, though they don't include client reviews or price comparisons.

Personal recommendations

Ask friends, family or colleagues who've recently moved for their conveyancer recommendations. Personal referrals give you insight into communication style, responsiveness and how the firm handles problems. Just remember that what worked for someone else's straightforward purchase might not suit your more complex transaction.

Estate agent and mortgage broker recommendations

Estate agents and mortgage brokers often suggest conveyancers. While these can be legitimate recommendations, the referring party typically receives a commission. This doesn't automatically mean poor service, but you should get quotes from other sources too and compare them independently.

Experience with your transaction type

Residential conveyancing covers many scenarios. A solicitor experienced in leasehold flats understands service charges and lease terms. Someone specialising in new build conveyancing knows about NHBC warranties and developer contracts. First-time buyers benefit from solicitors who explain each step clearly without assuming prior knowledge.

If you're buying a listed building, a property with complex boundaries or dealing with shared ownership, check the firm has handled similar cases.

Professional accreditation

The Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) is the Law Society's quality mark for residential conveyancing. CQS-accredited firms meet standards for client care, training and practice management. Most mortgage lenders require CQS accreditation or similar.

All conveyancing solicitors must be regulated by either the SRA or the CLC. These bodies ensure professional standards, handle complaints and provide compensation if things go wrong.

Communication and accessibility

Your conveyancer should respond to calls and emails within one working day. Check whether you'll work with one dedicated person throughout or whether your case passes between team members. Find out their working hours and whether they offer weekend or evening contact for urgent issues.

Some firms assign you a case reference number and generic email address. Others provide direct contact with your solicitor. Neither approach is inherently better, but you should know what to expect.

Mortgage lender approval

If you're buying with a mortgage, your conveyancer must be on your lender's approved panel. Most established firms appear on major lender panels, but always check before instructing them. Using a non-approved conveyancer means paying for separate representation, which adds £200-£500+ to your costs.

Fixed fee vs hourly rates

Most residential conveyancing is quoted as a fixed legal fee. You pay the agreed amount regardless of how long the work takes. This gives you cost certainty and protects you from unexpected bills.

Hourly rates are uncommon for standard residential work. They're typically used for complex commercial conveyancing or unusual situations. For buying or selling a house or flat, expect and insist on a fixed fee.

What should be included

A proper quote breaks down:

• Legal fees: The solicitor's charge for their work
• Disbursements: Third-party costs like searches and Land Registry fees
• VAT: Applied to legal fees but not usually to disbursements

Get quotes in writing showing these separately. Avoid firms that give you one total number without explaining what it covers.

Understanding search costs

Property searches are essential but cost £250-£400 depending on property location. These are disbursements, not part of the legal fee. Your conveyancer orders them on your behalf and includes them in your quote.

Some firms mark up search costs, charging you more than they pay the search company. Others pass on the exact cost. Ask directly whether search costs are marked up.

Additional charges to watch for

Check whether quotes include:

• CHAPS fees: Electronic money transfer fees (£20-£50)
• ID verification: Some firms charge £10-£30 for identity checks
• Anti-money laundering checks: Should be included but some firms charge separately
• Leasehold fees: Additional charges for reviewing lease documents (£150-£300)
• Help to Buy admin: Some firms charge extra for government scheme paperwork

Get confirmation that the quote includes everything for a standard transaction. Ask what might trigger extra charges. 

No completion, no fee protection

Some firms offer no completion, no fee protection. If your transaction falls through for any reason, you don't pay their legal fees. You typically pay a small non-refundable fee upfront (£100-£150) to secure this protection, but it's refunded against your final bill if completion goes ahead.

This matters because 25-30% of property transactions fall through. Without this protection, you'd pay £300-£800+ in abortive fees for work done before the sale collapsed.

At Homeward Legal, we include no completion, no fee protection as standard on all our conveyancing services. This means you're covered if your purchase or sale doesn't complete, giving you peace of mind throughout the process.

About their experience

"How many transactions like mine do you handle each year?" For standard purchases, they should handle dozens or hundreds annually. For specialist work like new builds or lease extensions, ask for specific numbers.

"Will one person handle my case throughout?" Some firms use case handlers supervised by solicitors. Others assign a qualified solicitor from start to finish. Neither is wrong, but you should know who you'll be dealing with.

"What's your average completion time for this type of transaction?" Standard conveyancing takes 8-12 weeks. Firms that quote 6-8 weeks might cut corners. Those saying 16+ weeks might be overloaded.

About their process

"How do you keep clients updated?" Weekly updates are standard. Some firms use automated systems to notify you when tasks complete. Others email or call with progress reports.

"What happens if problems arise?" Ask about their approach to resolving issues like problem search results, slow responses from the other side or survey findings. You want someone proactive rather than reactive. Understanding the full conveyancing process helps you recognise when delays are normal versus when your conveyancer isn't managing things properly.

"What information do you need from me and when?" Clear guidance about what documents you'll need to provide and when they need them helps avoid delays.

About costs and billing

"Does your quote include all standard costs?" Get explicit confirmation that searches, Land Registry fees, bank transfers and basic admin are included.

"What might cause additional charges?" Understand what's not included and what triggers extra fees.

"When do I pay and how?" Most firms take an initial payment for searches and disbursements, then the balance shortly before completion.

Pressure tactics

Conveyancers who pressure you to instruct them immediately or claim their quote expires in 24 hours are using sales tactics that suggest they need business badly. Good firms give you time to compare options.

Vague quotes

Quotes should be specific and itemised. Avoid firms offering "from £X" without confirming the exact amount or firms that won't put quotes in writing.

A proper quote shows exactly what you'll pay: legal fees, disbursements and VAT broken down separately. This lets you compare firms accurately and know there won't be surprise additions later.

Homeward Legal provides fixed legal fee quotes that include all standard costs upfront. You'll see exactly what you're paying for searches, Land Registry fees and legal work before you instruct us, with no hidden extras for standard transactions.

Poor communication during the quote stage

If a firm takes days to respond to basic questions before you've instructed them, they'll be just as slow once you're a client.

Good firms respond to enquiries within one working day. They should answer your questions clearly before you commit, explain their process and help you understand what to expect. This early communication shows how they'll handle your case once instructed.

At Homeward Legal, we provide dedicated customer support who answer your questions upfront before you commit. You can speak with our team about your transaction, get clear explanations and understand exactly how we'll handle your case - all before you instruct us.

Unregulated firms

Only instruct solicitors regulated by the SRA or licensed conveyancers regulated by the CLC. Check their registration numbers against the official registers. Avoid unqualified "legal advisors" or firms that can't show proper regulation.

Estate agents typically receive £100-£300 for every conveyancer referral. This creates a conflict of interest - the agent benefits financially from your instruction, and the conveyancer may prioritize keeping the agent happy over your interests.

While some estate agent recommendations are competent firms, you're better off comparing independently. Get your own quotes from firms you research, check reviews from actual clients and compare pricing transparently.

The same applies to mortgage broker recommendations. Always get at least two independent quotes to ensure you're choosing based on service and value, not on who pays the highest referral fee.

When location matters

A local conveyancer might help if you're buying in a complex area where local knowledge matters. For example, properties with mining subsidence risk, flooding concerns or areas with specific local authority quirks benefit from someone who's worked in that area repeatedly.

Face-to-face meetings can be helpful for complex transactions or if you strongly prefer in-person discussions rather than phone and email communication.

When remote works fine

For standard purchases and sales, location rarely matters. The process is largely standardised across England and Wales. Searches, contracts and Land Registry procedures work the same way whether your solicitor is 5 miles or 200 miles away.

Remote conveyancing often costs less because online firms have lower overheads than high street practices. The time and cost savings from not travelling to appointments can outweigh any benefit from local presence.

Most people now choose conveyancers based on service quality, price and reviews rather than location.

Homeward Legal offers the best of both approaches. We provide remote conveyancing for convenience and competitive pricing, but our panel includes solicitors across England and Wales. This means you can work with a firm that has local knowledge of your transaction area while still benefiting from our streamlined online service.

After gathering quotes and asking questions, you should have a shortlist of 2-3 firms. Compare them on:

Fixed legal fee: What's the total cost including disbursements and VAT?

Experience: Do they regularly handle your type of transaction?

Communication: Did they respond promptly to your enquiries? Do you feel confident they'll keep you informed?

Reviews: What do other clients say about them? Look for consistent patterns in feedback rather than single extreme reviews.

Protection: Do they offer no completion, no fee cover?

Regulation: Are they SRA or CLC regulated? Do they hold CQS accreditation?

Price shouldn't be your only consideration. The cheapest quote might come from an overloaded firm that handles your case slowly. The most expensive doesn't guarantee the best service. Look for the best balance of price, experience and client feedback.

For help finding a conveyancing solicitor who meets these criteria, Homeward Legal connects you with experienced firms across England and Wales. Our panel solicitors are CQS-accredited, regulated professionals who provide fixed legal fee quotes with no completion, no fee protection.

Get your instant conveyancing quote or call us on to discuss your needs.