Solicitors Fees for 115k House Purchase

Orlando_Virgin

We're now on to finding a solicitor, we've had one quote on paper here with a great reputation they're called Napthen's the quote is broken down as:-

Purchase price 115k

Purchase fees - £395
Bank Transfer Fee - £30
plus vat @ 15% - £63.75
FEES SUB TOTAL - £488.75

Expenses Payable on your behalf:
Environmental and Chancel Repair Search Fees - £72.51
Land Registry Fees - £200
Stamp Duty Land Tax - £0
EXPENSES SUB TOTAL - £272.51

TOTAL:- £761.26

At the end it then says

MORTGAGES
If you're buying this property with a mortgage, your mortgage lender is more than likely to ask us to act on their behalf. Our fees for this will be £100 plus VAT and your lender may require you to pay these - please check your mortgage offer.

STAMP DUTY LAND TAX
£50 plus VAT to fill out the form.

Followed by some sort of money laundering search for £6 plus VAT for each name.

Is this expensive? I hope so!! haha.

Am I right

Squish_21

Solictor prices can vary in different areas. Get 3 different quotes from good or recommended solicitors.

I live in the south west and to purchase my flat for £115k the solicitor fee's were £1k. Flats do cost more in solicitor costs though as more needs to be done with leasehold.

In summary, for my area, those costs sound correct.

princessamy86

Hi Orlando! I'm close to you, in Preston, and can definitely vouch that Napthens are good. Fees sound about right to me, you can get it cheaper but I know they will do a good job for you.

Orlando_Virgin

Thanks, I've got a couple more in that seem to be coming in at 660-800 total, I think Napthens is definitely at the top end. Need to decide what we're going with quickly though. DIfficult to know whats expensive and whats not, and what searches and hidden fees there are with each one as they don't always tell you!

princessamy86

It's only their fee which is on the high side, a lot of the other things are standard charges like the SDLT form, land registry and bank transfer fee. See if they will negotiate on fees with you, everyone is fighting for business. Who else have you got?

Orlando_Virgin

Nigel Holdens in Blackburn, Watsons in Darwen, Britannia who are doing our mortgage. They came in ranging from 660-800. I think you're right they seem to be charging the extra when it comes to the purchase fee.

But maybe you're right, you pay for what you get?

princessamy86

Nigel Holdens also v good, you do get what you pay for definitely. I'm an EA, and I cannot even begin to explain the mess a poor conveyancer can make of a sale. Can at least vouch for Napthens and Nigel Holden always being contactable, which is invaluable. They will also make time to speak to the agent which is always good as it means we can keep on top of everything and pre-empt problems rather than just reacting to them. I would definitely try to negotiate, I know some solicitors will fee match if you ask them. They want your business at the end of the day!

Orlando_Virgin

princessamy86 wrote: »

Nigel Holdens also v good, you do get what you pay for definitely. I'm an EA, and I cannot even begin to explain the mess a poor conveyancer can make of a sale. Can at least vouch for Napthens and Nigel Holden always being contactable, which is invaluable. They will also make time to speak to the agent which is always good as it means we can keep on top of everything and pre-empt problems rather than just reacting to them. I would definitely try to negotiate, I know some solicitors will fee match if you ask them. They want your business at the end of the day!

Thats interesting you deal with them too, I dealt with Nigel Holden for a personal injury and my Mum and Dad did too for their house move and they were excellent both times.

Thanks for your advice, I'll just try to avoid hiddens I "didn't know about"

princessamy86

Just get them to confirm that they won't charge for letters and phonecalls, then ask that any charges not on the original quote are confirmed in writing to you at the earliest possible opportunity. I've not heard anything about Napthens or Nigel Holdens charging hidden extras anyway, and this type of thing does tend to filter through!

zzzLazyDaisy

I have moved houses several times, and I can't tell you the untold stress that can be caused by a conveyancer who does not return phone calls and does not keep the client (ie YOU) up-to-date with what is happening.

Personally I think it is worth a few extra quid to make sure that the conveyancer is on the ball. I can see that every penny counts, but I'd look to saving the extra £'s somewhere else!

Orlando_Virgin

Thanks for your advice all, I've definitely come to learn that your conveyancing can play a BIG part in how smoothly it goes. Just heard from Nigel Holden, it does seem like Napthens are very much on the expensive side when it comes to the purchase fee and the land registry.

Nigel Holden's fee was £250 in comparison to £395 and land registry fee was £150 in comparison to £200. Both have very good reputations.