Solicitor's fee

jangor_2

I am only at the start of selling my house (not buying as yet) but am unsure what the solicitor's fee might be for a sale. Having some years back had a very unhappy experience with an online conveyancer I don't want to go down this route again. The first quote I have been given is around £600. Would this be average? Any help appreciated.

8RRJ

Yes, that's in the ballpark. Most solicitors here charge £495 + VAT. Prices tend to be cheaper the further North you go, which is why meany of the online guys are based up north!

mundibananas

Hi, I recommond getting a solicitor that is near you so that you can pop in signed paperwork etc rather than relying on the post which can delay the process. Good Luck.

timmyt

mundibananas wrote: »

Hi, I recommond getting a solicitor that is near you so that you can pop in signed paperwork etc rather than relying on the post which can delay the process. Good Luck.

lawyers rarely meet clients as who wants to take time off work where post works a treat.

up north is where the cheaper outfits are, and all conveyancing lawyers know certain large northern outfits who should be shut down.

McKneff

Wow, £600 :eek:

Here up north, an independant is £295 plus VAT,

used them a long time ago when they were £150 and they were great.

G_M

Compare quotes for hidden extras.

timmyt

McKneff wrote: »

Wow, £600 :eek:

Here up north, an independant is £295 plus VAT,

used them a long time ago when they were £150 and they were great.

blimey, hope you have no legal defects when you come to sell, as for £150 I know what kind of service I'd be forced to provide

9wizard9

I'd be very careful for a purchase, but for a sale, really what do you need? Someone to make sure you're not going to get sued for misrepresenting something, and someone to make sure you get your sale proceeds...

I paid about £350 for a call centre based conveyancer, and must say I couldn't have asked for more - could always get through on the phone, and she answered emails promptly, even up to 9pm at one point!

I'd definitely want someone more directly accountable with a personal recommendation for a purchase, as I think there's more to go wrong, but for a sale I was very happy with the service I got.

http://www.aplawyers.co.uk/

timmyt

9wizard9 wrote: »

I'd be very careful for a purchase, but for a sale, really what do you need? Someone to make sure you're not going to get sued for misrepresenting something, and someone to make sure you get your sale proceeds...

I paid about £350 for a call centre based conveyancer, and must say I couldn't have asked for more - could always get through on the phone, and she answered emails promptly, even up to 9pm at one point!

I'd definitely want someone more directly accountable with a personal recommendation for a purchase, as I think there's more to go wrong, but for a sale I was very happy with the service I got.

http://www.aplawyers.co.uk/

on a sale (where it is crucial they are clever enough to bag a very early exchnage so you dont lose your related purchase)I would certianly expect:

1. someone to return your calls promptly
2. someone to return your emails promptly
3. someone who does not close for lunch of have to always leave dead on 5pm - but working past 6pm is a red herring as no other law firm does
4. someone bright enough to push the deal forward
5. someone legally trained, ideally a solicitor as many firms charge the same but dont offer a solicitor (clever them, and sucker on the public)
6. someone who has a legal brain who can field tricky legal questions asked by the Buyer about your house because you may have used a cheapo conveyancer last time and so you have title problems
7. that same someone to also be handling your purchase, who better be legally qualified to make sure you get a perfect title deeded property free of defcts

oh the list goes on.

Hopejack

timmy, I'm using a local solicitor (did for my sale and am for my purchase) and I can assure you he has been happy to have an appointment to see us. If I can't speak to him then I always get to speak to one of his clerical team and they always have the file to hand. Any legal issues of course they would always refer to him and he always calls back, almost always same day. Oh, and did I say he is a 'northern' outfit!

I don't think you can tar all companies with the same brush to be fair.

I personally would always go local though for the simple reason the post in the UK is rubbish these days. Much easier to pop paperwork/cheques etc into a local office. I did once (many years ago) use a solicitor based down south and it was a nightmare, post supposedly going missing/never returning my calls - just goes to show!

As for the fee - ring around quite a few and make sure all costs are itemised. I rang 6 locally, the range of fee was staggering - £450+VAT up to £680+ VAT! All for the same thing! You will then get an idea of the fee you should consider.