Solicitor's fees - do these fees seem reasonable? EA's recommended solicitor v local

kingstreet

zara*elise wrote: »

Was just wondering what the benefit of having it included in the basic fee would be?

Cheaper.

If a firm is charging £500 and it's included, it's £75 cheaper than a firm who charges £500 with the £75 on top.

It's similar to the ones who quote £500, then you notice in the small print there's another £100 there for doing the lender's legal work. They should really quote £600, so you can compare like with like, as others will charge £500 and that will be included.

zara*elise

Thanks! Have a few quotes coming through from two other local firms so shall see how they compare. Is it possible to 'haggle' pricing for conveyancing? For example, asking the solicitors above to drop the SD fee?

kingstreet

zara*elise wrote: »

Thanks! Have a few quotes coming through from two other local firms so shall see how they compare. Is it possible to 'haggle' pricing for conveyancing? For example, asking the solicitors above to drop the SD fee?

I've never tried!

I guess if you have a quote from another firm, you tell them what you've been offered and see if they want to match it.

InkZ

zara*elise wrote: »

Thanks! Have a few quotes coming through from two other local firms so shall see how they compare. Is it possible to 'haggle' pricing for conveyancing? For example, asking the solicitors above to drop the SD fee?

You can try. I got no sale no fee chucked in just by asking on one quote.

zara*elise

Cheapest so far, by £100. Plus both quotes were by firms in the next town over, so not as convenient.

kingstreet

zara*elise wrote: »

Cheapest so far, by £100. Plus both quotes were by firms in the next town over, so not as convenient.

I regularly get Cannock clients to use Stafford solicitors and vice versa. When I got quotes for clients from the solicitors in the towns they lived in there was a real coincidence that out of five quotes there was only a £5 difference in the fees.

I believe those who live out of the town in question may be quoted a different (cheaper!) rate than those who do.

In one case, a Cannock resident was quoted £200 less on a sale and purchase and I suggested if getting to Stafford was difficult she might like to hire a limo as she'd still be saving money.

zara*elise

kingstreet wrote: »

In one case, a Cannock resident was quoted £200 less on a sale and purchase and I suggested if getting to Stafford was difficult she might like to hire a limo as she'd still be saving money.

Brilliant! *searches the net for conveyancer and limo hire*

chocolatum

King Street - I never thought of that!

I obtained 3 quotes in the past 3 days and they were within £20 of each other from £820-£840 for a +/- £100k purchase. The solicitors in question are located in different parts of a city.

trooperdog

i was quoted round about the same as chocolatum but have seen online convenancys for 500 (fees, dibursments, vat) no sale no fee??? should i be wary how wrong can this go???

Richard_Webster

i was quoted round about the same as chocolatum but have seen online convenancys for 500 (fees, dibursments, vat) no sale no fee??? should i be wary how wrong can this go???

Depends a bit on much you were paying for the property - but lets say it's a house between £80K and £100K. The Land Registry fee is £130 and the searches would normally be at least £100 so take £230 off £500 you get £270. That is equivalent to £225 + VAT (and that includes a Bank Transfer Fee as well). Looks too cheap to me - they will probably charge you extra if you are getting a mortgage and also for the SDLT form.

If you are paying more than £100K up to £200K then the LR fee goes up to £200 so it makes their fees all the more surprising!

Read all their terms and conditions very carefully.