Haggling with solicitors?

Joannaclaire

I have two quotes from local legal firms for the conveyancing on our house purchase. One estimate is for £70 more than the other and isn't a no sale no fee place, whereas the cheaper one is a fixed rate, all inclusive deal and is also (extra bonus) a no sale no fee deal. I'd rather go with the more expensive firm as when I called them up they seemed more thorough, but of course are more pricey.

I was wandering whether it is acceptable to haggle and see if the more expensive firm might price match? Has anyone ever tried this, or is it a social no-no to haggle with regards to legal fees? Thought I'd just check on here before calling them...

Doozergirl

I'd certainly give it a shot but my solicitor won't have any of it. She still charges us more for a more expensive house.

That £70 will be money well though if you're already getting the feeling that they are more professional. Our first purchase, and sale & purchase took 6 months each with our first solicitor. The partner was even a rugby friend of my husband! Our sale nearly fell through as when buying the flat, the solicitor had done very little groundwork. We spent days travelling with a small baby knocking on the freeholder's and Mangement Agent's (read 'the big man on a scary council estate pocketing our insurance money' :wall:) doors. The stress caused by a bad solicitor is not worth it.

Joannaclaire

Might give it a go then.

zag2me

I haggled on price with my solicitor. I just sent them an email message saying I would like to give them my trade, but someone else has quoted lower. They gave me 50 quid off on the spot. That payed for a few cases of beer when I did eventually move in

mini

I got 3 quotes, one firm asked me to call back if I got a better price to see if they could match it. Personally the idea of no sale no fee appeals more to me, this house buying/selling is expensive enough, you could pay out for a survey be planning on exchanging for it to fall apart & still have to pay legal costs for a sale that isn't happening, that's my fear anyway.

Anyone you know nearby that has moved recently? You could ask for recmmmendations, good luck

mini

Joannaclaire

Alas, they didn't go for the idea and then proceeded to say the 'no sale no fee' law firms tend not to do much work until late on near the exchange time, so as to avoid losing out if the sale falls through and then did the whole pitch about how thorough they are etc etc compared with other firms (and gave me a few tips as well, which was nice) now to decide - cheap and no sale no fee versus more expensive but probably better....