when do i pay solicitor fees.

rainbow456

hi, im a first time buyer. my mortgage offer has been accepted and i should get the mortgage offer tommarow or day after. i know the solicitor will also get a copy of the offer, so today i told my solicitor this and if they could start the required searches etc.. and should i pay now.
but she said that when they get the mortgage offer, then they will start the search and send a bill out to us and then the make an appointment for us to come and sign contracts.
Is this the correct way because i thought you gave the search fees first.
Also could someone tell me how long does it take for the searches to be done?
thanks you.:wave:

aderbyshirelad

Hi rainbow456

Our solicitor asked for the search fees only a couple of days after we instructed them. They didn't seem to need the mortgage offer details until later on down the line. We didn't pay them anything else until sending over the whole deposit a few days before completion.


Our searches took about two maybe three weeks (I should really remember as it was only three months ago), but it seems to depend on the councils and other agencies involved as to how quickly they get done.

Good luck with it all.

housebuyer_3

Search fees are usually paid in advance. Total fees are usually then paid on completion.
If they haven't asked for them make sure they have requested the searches.

searches can be done in a week but solicitors and office workers spend a lot of time 'pushing paper' so I would allow 2-3 weeks before putting pressure on sol's if not done.

I would reccomend checking in with your solicitor on a weekly basis to make sure they are getting on with the job and progress to date.

fatblokexl

our solicitor took his fee and paid stamp duty etc from proceeds of sale.
i thought that to be the norm (scottish sale though)

PoorDave

Ours took some cash up front to cover searches, with the promise of settling the balance for anything else after completion, which they did. I think we had to give £1000 upfront, but we were using them on sale & purchase at the same time. Upfront money paid roughly when they did searches, balance invoiced after completion, then paid by cheque.