Can anyone recommend a conveyancing lawyer?

pie81

Hi all

Looking for some recommendations for a solicitor or conveyancing firm to help us sell our flat and buy a new place - ideally someone cheap but speedy and reliable (of course )

unfortunately no-one we know seems to have a good word for the solicitors they used! and the firm I used last time seems to gone under.

any personal recommendations appreciated.

Thanks

purplebuzz

Can you give us some idea of the area you are in, as local recommended solicitors are usually better to go with.

pie81

I'm in north london. but is it really true that a local lawyer is better? I sort of got the impression it was all fairly automated these days.

jenny74

I would DEFINATELY go with a local Conveyancer. I have been in to see mine 3/4 times now, to take various items of paperwork in. They are literally round the corner from my younger daughters playgroup so it is very convenient to drop things off/collect things from them. It has saved time and money on postage.

Also IF things were going slow or there was a problem, you can go and camp out in their reception! lol!

Jenny

vegasbaby100

agreed!!! go local and pay a little extra

asharon

I'm using cotswoldconveyancing and they seem good. My parents used them and they do nice touches like you can see the progress online.

mrazeal

We used CPL (due to the estate agents getting a cut i presume) when we were first time buyers last time and they weren't particulaly good. It took far longer than it should have done, when we managed to get hold of her she didn't seem to know what she was doing, and we were eventually passed on to her manager to finish the job off.

This time we are using a local solicitors, oposite where I work, and it seems to be going so much smoother (so far!). Like Jenny said, if they need something they have it quicker than sending it off.

ayde_bury

I would avoid a call centre based conveyancer - currently using Countrywide Property Lawyers based in Manchester - I'm in the South East. They've forgot to redo expired HIP surveys, never call you back, have an online tracking system that never updates. So were now 17 days past the original agreed exchange date, cheapest certainly is not the best.

Next time it's a local company that I can walk into.

Bufger

I've gone with a local company in the west midlands, still offering on places but i rang them last week and they have me on their books and waiting. Its good to know they're ready to get to action, it gives them an idea of work coming up and allows you to start the process a day or 2 sooner.

lillibet_dripping

I would agree with the previous posters - on no account use countrywide property lawyers. They are worse than useless. They let down my buyer very badly and as a result my vendor got fed up waiting and found himself another buyer!
Go local......

katieeloise

I can recommend Paul Baker at Alban Gould Baker and Co: 020 7607 5085: 405-407 Holloway Road, N7 6HG