Conveyancing costs

WallyBird

Please could someone tell me what do solicitors and conveyancers do in the following cases:
1. When I am selling my house.
2. When I am buying another house.

I am selling through Housenetwork and am using their conveyancer for the selling side. But I am not sure if there is much to do - aren't all the searches etc for buying?

We are also getting ready to buy a house in Cornwall, so I want to know whether to use on online conveyencer or a solicitor, or what. The proposed house is of an unusual construction (old, conservation area, cob walls).

Is it a good idea to use the same firm for both buying and selling? I think it would just cost twice as much - that is the way HN pricing works, although not sure if I have misunderstood and there might be extra payments such as searches that get added on?

Any help would be gratefully received.
WB.

G_M

There's an explanation here. Also a section explaining how to compare quotes.

Usually cost-effective to use the same solicitor for sale/purchase - also MUCH easier to coordinate things.

RX-78

From my very limited experience, be very careful about chosing the cheapest one.

I got several quotes from local solicitors (wasn't keen on using national ones) and the one EA recommended was the cheapest & prompt. Only when they sent the contract there was mention of referral fee & no mention of fixed price or no move no fee (which I specifically asked for). When I called them they said "well its a kind of no move no fee" and when asked to clarify with conveyancing manager he admitted his staff was wrong.

I've now gone for a slightly more expensive (to the tune of £200) one by personal recommendation and so far they are very good.