Buying a house is an exciting journey, but handling the legal steps with care is crucial. Tasks like completing paperwork, conducting conveyancing searches, and exchanging contracts must be done accurately. Any mistakes in these processes can seriously affect your purchase, so attention to detail is key.
Hiring a solicitor is essential to guide you through the process. They will offer expert advice and communicate directly with the seller's solicitor on your behalf.
This article covers everything you need to know about choosing a solicitor when buying a house, including a breakdown of the associated fees.
Finding a Solicitor for Buying a House
Finding the right solicitor for the purchase will allow for a quick process. Use the below tips to find a trusted solicitor for buying your house:
Comparison Websites
Comparison sites like Compare My Move make it easy to compare conveyancing quotes, giving you access to a variety of prices and trusted companies to choose from.
Local Companies
Consider conveyancers with local knowledge of your area. They can accurately estimate how long the process will take based on the location.
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are essential. Always read online reviews before hiring a solicitor to get an idea of their performance and their customer service.
Recommendations
Consider recommendations from family and friends if they have recently used a conveyancer. This can provide peace of mind that you will receive a good service. Estate agent's recommendations are great to consider as they will likely know the best local options to consider.
Communicate with Solicitors
Speaking to the solicitor beforehand is important. This will give you a feel for the company and let you know whether they offer all the services you need.
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How Much Does a Solicitor Charge When Buying a House?
The average solicitor fee when buying a property is £1,548*. This is based on the average UK house price of £285,000. These fees do not include any additional charges such as disbursements.
Below are the average solicitor fees for buying a house based on the property value:
| Property Value | Freehold Solicitor Fees | Leasehold Solicitor Fees |
|---|---|---|
Up to £100,000 | £1,090 | £1,270 |
£100,001 to £300,000 | £1,190 - £1,320 | £1,370 - £1,490 |
£300,001 to £500,000 | £1,390 - £1,490 | £1,560 - £1,650 |
£500,001 to £700,000 | £1,750 - £1,800 | £1,860 - £1,960 |
| £700,001 to £1,000,000 | £2,000 - £2,160 | £2,150 - £2,340 |
| £1000,001+ | £2,550 | £2,710 |
If your conveyancer offers a 'no sale no fee' service, this means you won't have to pay the legal fee should the sale fall through. However, any money spent on third-party disbursements such as conveyancing searches must still be paid.
Our Conveyancing Fees Calculator provides an approximate of what you can expect to pay. This will help you to avoid any unexpected charges.
Solicitor Fees for Buying a Leasehold Property
There will be additional fees for buying a leasehold property:
| Solicitor's Legal Fee | £1,370 - £1,490 |
| Landlord Sales Pack | £280 |
| Notice of Transfer fee | £190 |
| Notice of Charge fee | £140 |
| Deed of Covenant | £280 |
| Certificate of Compliance | £150 - £300 |
| Engrossment Fee | £150 - £250 |
| Leasehold Property Supplement Fee | £100 - £200 |
| Leasehold Management Information Pack | £150 - £500 |
Extra Conveyancing Costs When Buying A House
On top of conveyancing solicitor fees and disbursements, you'll also have to pay for the following services:
Conveyancing searches
Anti-money Laundering Checks
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
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What Does a Buyer's Solicitor do?
A buyer's solicitor is responsible for the following:
Update you on any progress
Provide all cost data
Conduct conveyancing searches
Carry out the exchange of contracts
Make disbursement payments on the buyer’s behalf
Arrange the completion date
Register the new owners of the property with the Land Registry
How Long Does the Conveyancing Process Take for Buying a House?
The average conveyancing process takes 8 - 12 weeks. The buying process has more stages compared to selling due to the conveyancing searches.
Each conveyancing case varies. The total time it takes will depend on factors such as the complexity of questions raised during pre-contract enquiries and further price negotiations between the buyer and seller's solicitors.
A good solicitor will provide guidance, and regularly update you on the process and whether delays are likely. They will complete the legal work and documentation in good time to ensure everything remains on track.
When Should You Find a Solicitor?
The best time to start your solicitor search is during the property viewing stage. The sooner you find your solicitor, the smoother your moving process will be.
When your house offer has been accepted, you will be able to instruct your solicitor and they can begin the conveyancing process.
Save money on your conveyancing costs
Accredited property conveyancers
Used by over 1 million people
Top Solicitors for Buying a House
Here is our list of best solicitors for buying a house. The ranking is based on the number of 5-star reviews they have received from Compare My Move customers:
| Ranking | Conveyancer | Based |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bishopsgate Law | London, Hertfordshire, Northampton |
| 2 | My Home Move Conveyancing | Leicester |
| 4 | Attwells Solicitors LLP | Colchester, Ipswich, and North London |
| 5 | GD Property Solicitors | Manchester |
| 6 | Muve | UK-wide |
| 7 | Mancini Legal Limited | Horsham, Haywards Heath, and Crawley |
To find the best solicitor in your area read: The 10 Best Conveyancing Solicitors in the UK 2025
Finding a Conveyancer
At Compare My Move, we can help you find a solicitor in your local area and help you save on your conveyancing costs. We can connect you with up to 6 partners. They have all passed our strict verification process for your peace of mind. This means they are all regulated by either the SRA, CLC, LSS, LSNI or CILEx.
Need a Surveyor?
Once you've found a conveyancer, you soon might need the help of a RICS property surveyor. Simply fill in our integrated conveyancing and surveying comparison form to get connected today.
You can compare companies through our integrated conveyancing and surveying form by filling out a few extra steps. We will then connect you with local conveyancers and surveyors to save on the whole process.
*Based on the average service costs for Compare My Move users. See how our data works.
