Solicitors Fees - Property Sale

Windle · 11 Jan 2011 at 18:33

Having never done this before, what sort of fees should I be expecting for a solicitor to handle the conveyancing of a property. Sale only, not going to be buying again immediately. Is it normally a fixed rate plus a percentage?

Thanks for any (helpful) advice.

Will Gill · 11 Jan 2011 at 18:36

Depends who you use and how much you actually get them to do for you.

how much is your house for sale for?

Windle · 11 Jan 2011 at 18:40

Not on the market yet but should be soon. Got the surveyors coming on Thursday to carry out the home buyers pack survey including valuation. Following that need to speak to a couple of the local agents I would want to sell the property.

So the other step is speaking to a solicitor regarding handling the property conveyance so once its on the market I have someone to handle it in place. Lots of websites have info on rough fees for purchasing and using a conveyancer but I will purely be selling so trying to get an idea of what to expect prior to speaking to them to make sure I not getting ripped off.

Would be looking for them to handle all the legal side, documents etc.

Will Gill · 11 Jan 2011 at 18:42

£500 roughly, for the basic conveyancing unless you have a multi million pound property

Windle · 14 Jan 2011 at 11:56

Bit off from my first quote then, have been quoted £850 + VAT by a solicitor to handle the conveyancing, this didn't include the costs for the property and land registry search which are on top and brings the final fee to £1200 inc VAT to handle everything.

Egon · 14 Jan 2011 at 11:59

Moved house 3 months ago and the sale cost us about £500, just a touch under.

£1200 sounds pricey!

The Halk · 14 Jan 2011 at 12:00

£1200 means shop around.

alfalavala · 14 Jan 2011 at 12:29

Mine was £750 (maybe +VAT on that?) a year ago from a good one in Aberdeen. That was buying a house and not selling one. It was a fixed fee.

DM · 14 Jan 2011 at 12:44

You can pay between 500-1500 quid, ring round you just want the cheapest not the best, because for that job there is no best.

a1ex2001 · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:10

Do it yourself it's really easy, when you pay for a solicitor to do it what your actually getting is a work experience kid with a photocopier.

Abraham · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:13

DiamondMark said:
You can pay between 500-1500 quid, ring round you just want the cheapest not the best, because for that job there is no best.

Agree with this really, if you're in a hurry it's nice to have someone that you can chase properly, or expect to do it quickly. But otherwise it's just the same job whoever does it, there is no quality level it's just requesting and compiling documents. Don't think it needs to be someone local either, there's quite a few online only companies that do it substantially cheaper, obviously offering the same service.

Banzai_Joe · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:19

I paid about £840. £400 was the solicitors fees. the rest was search fees, bank transfers etc.

Originally Posted by DiamondMark
You can pay between 500-1500 quid, ring round you just want the cheapest not the best, because for that job there is no best.

Disagree with this. You can get what you pay for with Solicitors, especially if things aren't as straight forward as you'd hope.
Search fees, yes, they're pretty much of a much, but as to how good and professional the solicitors are...... :rolleyes:

Our buyers used a shoddy bunch and they royally screwed up. They aint all the same.
Even ours messed up with sending the fixutres and fittings list out too late, costing us time and money.

Banzai_Joe · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:21

delete please mods, stupid double post.

Jez · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:23

Recommend this lot wholeheartidly. Very cheap, and service is as good as you could want.

http://www.convey365.com/

Knubje · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:24

If it is a straight forward freehold sale of a property then look at conveyancers online and such and shop around for quotes.

Solicitors are often much pricier than standard conveyancing, however, if there are leasehold agreements or unusual dealings with the sale/purchase of the house then their expertise often becomes invaluable and is why you pay them more.

jamief · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:27

a1ex2001 said:
Do it yourself it's really easy, when you pay for a solicitor to do it what your actually getting is a work experience kid with a photocopier.

You're probably one of those folk who think a DIY will is a good idea too.

Get a solicitor, but shop around for prices.

Spit · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:31

Im an estate agent and you should pay around £500 +VAT.

Cuchulain · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:32

As part of my job I have to create conveyancing calculators for solicitor clients, (it's a right ballache but that's another story), on an average property (150K) sale, none of our clients charge more than £500 (inc. VAT, an extra £50 odd if it's a leasehold sale)

jamief · 14 Jan 2011 at 13:38

Cuchulain said:
As part of my job I have to create conveyancing calculators for solicitor clients, (it's a right ballache but that's another story), on an average property (150K) sale, none of our clients charge more than £500 (inc. VAT, an extra £50 odd if it's a leasehold sale)

It won't be leasehold as he's in Scotland.

Banzai_Joe · 14 Jan 2011 at 14:36

Banzai_Joe said:
I paid about £840. £400 was the solicitors fees. the rest was search fees, bank transfers etc.

Disagree with this. You can get what you pay for with Solicitors, especially if things aren't as straight forward as you'd hope.
Search fees, yes, they're pretty much of a much, but as to how good and professional the solicitors are......
Our buyers used a shoddy bunch and they royally screwed up. They aint all the same.
Even ours messed up with sending the fixutres and fittings list out too late, costing us time and money.

I disagree with my disagreeing, i thought we were talking about buying not selling.
Yes i paid about £500 for mine and yes i agree, any old solicitor should do as most of it IS just paper chasing and signatures.

Buying is another can of worms! :rolleyes: