Instructing a solicitor simply means hiring them to handle the legal aspects of your property transaction. To do this, first choose one based on their fees, experience, and reputation. Then, contact them by phone or email to discuss your needs.
To ensure your property purchase goes smoothly, you’ll need a solicitor. Since most people only buy a home a few times in their lives, the process can feel confusing and daunting.
Instructing a solicitor is one of the first and most important steps, yet many buyers aren’t sure what it involves, when to do it, or how to choose the right one.
This guide breaks it all down clearly, and to save time, you can use Compare My Move to compare quotes from up to 6 local conveyancing solicitors.
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When to Instruct a Conveyancing Solicitor?
You should instruct a solicitor as soon as your house offer is accepted. From this point, their legal expertise is essential for reviewing contracts, carrying out property checks, managing key paperwork, and helping the transaction move forward smoothly.
The sooner you instruct them, the sooner they can begin work, which helps you avoid delays and stay on track.
How to Instruct a Solicitor When Buying a House
Follow the steps below to formally instruct a solicitor and start the conveyancing process:
Research & Compare Solicitors
Use a comparison website like ours to compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best option for you.
Alternatively, you can ask family and friends for their recommendations, but we always recommend checking the company's credentials and reviews before making a decision.
Contact Your Chosen Solicitor & Agree Expectations
Once you've chosen a suitable solicitor, you'll need to contact them to discuss your case, either by phone or email.
This is a key part of the process, as it's your opportunity to ensure they can meet your specific needs.
You should communicate your expectations and create a clear timeline of events for when you expect your completion date to be. They can then check whether their calendars conflict with this in any way.
It's also important to check whether your chosen solicitor can facilitate your preferred method of communication, whether this is via email, phone, or in person.
Sign the Engagement Letter
By law, once you have instructed and agreed on the terms with your solicitor, you must sign an engagement letter stating that you are happy for your solicitor to follow legal processes on your behalf.
Once signed, this begins the professional and legal relationship between the buyer and conveyancing solicitor.
Pay Your Deposit
Most solicitors will require an initial deposit. This deposit will secure their services, and will typically cover initial costs, such as conveyancing searches.
You will be expected to pay the remainder after completion. While hiring a no sale, no fee solicitor isn’t mandatory, it can significantly reduce your financial risk if the sale falls through.
Check In With Your Solicitor Throughout the Process
Regular communication keeps things on track. Make sure you check in at key milestones:
- Drafting the contract
- Conveyancing searches
- Signing and exchanging contracts
- Completion day
If anything changes, such as delays with the seller, let your solicitor know immediately.
Pay Final Fees
Once you have exchanged and completed, you can then pay your final fees which will end your engagement with your solicitor.
Save money on your conveyancing costs
Accredited property conveyancers
Used by over 1.5 million movers in the UK
How to Find a Conveyancing Solicitor
Whether you are looking to buy or sell a house, it's important to choose an experienced conveyancing solicitor who has a good understanding of the property. It's not recommended to conduct the conveyancing process yourself as you must ensure the legal aspects are followed correctly.
Compare My Move allows you to compare and contrast quotes from local companies to assist with your property transaction. We can connect you with up to 6 conveyancers in the local area, helping you to save on your conveyancing costs.
All our conveyancing partners have 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 may need to hire a RICS surveyor to carry out a property survey. Fill in our integrated conveyancing and surveying comparison form to get connected today.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a conveyancer and solicitor?
While a conveyancer and a solicitor can both carry out the legal aspects of property law, they do have some fundamental differences. A conveyancer can only deal with the nuances of property law whereas a solicitor can be trained in other areas of law.
If you have a complex issue with a property, a conveyancing solicitor is the best option to consider. However, a conveyancer is generally a suitable option for most property law.
Conveyancers must be regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) by law. Solicitors can be regulated by either the SRA, LSS, LSNI or CILEx.
What documents might my solicitor need?
There are many documents and necessary forms your solicitor will require when buying a house. These include but aren't limited to:
- Property title deeds
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- The Lease (if the property is leasehold)
- Property Details
- Floor plan
- FENSA Certificate
