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Kuztardd

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Richard_Webster

Google "Conveyancing Solicitor [Area where you want solicitor - near home or work]". Ignore the directories and the sponsored links and phone the first three or four "real" entries. Talk to them and ask what the charges would be - as full a breakdown as possible and and likely extras - and get it all in writing.

Then sit back and read through what you get and compare and take into account their attitude on the 'phone.

If you have any questions or the estimates seem inconsistent ring them back for more explanation - then make a decision.

Watch out for "hidden" extras - e.g. the charge for dealing with the SDLT form or for acting for the lender.

Richard_Webster

Thanks for the response. Curious though, just how important is it to have a local conveyancer?

Not completely vital. I do get out of area work, but if asked I make the point that the potential client does need to take account of the fact that they can't just pop in with signed documents etc. A lot can be done by post, e-mail etc but there will be the need to deal with some original documents and they have to be posted.

If you have friends who have used a solicitor in another part of the country and they recommend him then you could go with that. Just be careful that you don't use one of these conveyancing factories that appear cheap but hide lots of extras in turgid "terms and conditions".

Doozergirl

What happened to the 1930s flat? That was you wasn't it, a while back?

kford224

Kuztardd wrote: »

I was wondering what the best way to get a good solictor is for buying a place?

I hear so many bad stories about them, and none of my friends would recommend theirs.. (apart from one persons but they charge a fortune!!!)

Any help is appreciated as im placing an offer on a pad later on today :-)

Our solicitor was recommended by our Mortgage Advisor and have been fantastic! They are based up north (we're in Hampshire) but we have absolutely no problems with the distance as we have had frequent post and our emails are answered in minutes. The process has been really quick and we didn't even tell them that we wanted to complete quickly

hazyjo

I've nearly always had to rush something to a solicitor at the last minute. I find it easier if they're within driving/walking distance!

Jx

kford224

Kuztardd wrote: »

i shall have to give a few a call and see.. I cant even remember what the going rate is these days.
what are you guys paying?

We're paying just under £1100 for everything

kford224

Kuztardd wrote: »

thanks for that.. i guess that around £500 of that is searches and the rest for the VAT and your Solictors fees?

Yes roughly. It was very reasonable compared to some other quotes we received and they have been so quick, so we're really pleased all-in-all We had to pay £300 upfront so they could make a start on searches.