help needed: finding a (good) solicitor

navarato

Hi

I am looking for a conveyancer (will be buying) and have decided to look for a local solicitor rather than go for an online one (have heard quite a few horror stories). Only thing is i don't know where to start as i have no recommendations for a local solicitors! For me it would be a matter of ringing around Solicitors from those listed on the law society website. Could someone please advise on how to look for a good local conveyancer? Sorry for anything that may have sounded silly but i am feeling quite overwhelmed. Btw have not yet found a property i like but i want to make sure everything is ready in case i do.

Thanks in advance

monty-doggy

What area are you in?

G_M

OK. You want local (sensible) but don't have recomendations (pity!).

* Use yellow pages or similar to identify 3 or 4 firms nearby.
* Just drop in! Tell the receptionist you'd like to have a chat with a conveyancing solicitor to get a quote for selling.

Either
* they'll ask you to wait 5 -10 minutes, & then someone will come down(good start!)
* or they'll apologise "everyone is busy" and offer an appointment (fair enough)
* or they'll palm you off with a junior clerk/admin operson, or tell you to ring or.... (move on to next on you list!)

Meeting the solicitor will mean
* you get a feel for the person & whether you like/trust them
* you'll be able to get a full quote based on your specific details
* you'll be able to ask anything you want about the process
(if you are getting a mortgage, also ask if they are on your mortgage lender's panel)

You can then compare solicitors based on
a) price &
b) helpfulness/approachability

edit: sorry. 'buying' above!

welshwizard1927

No friends/family/colleagues able to recommend one?

General advice (in addition to above) - dont use estate agents recommended firm. They'll probably be more expensive and poor quality.

Don't be put off if legal executives are doing work - they're just as qualified (and in some instances more experienced than solicitors), and will sometimes be a bit cheaper.

Obtain three quotes - and go from there. However, In the case of legal work, it's always better to get quality over price.

navarato

thanks so much for all your replies...very helpful. Btw, for Monty-doggy, i'm based in London.

monty-doggy

Aww that's a shame I know a cracking Manchester based one!

ToeDipper

I'm in Manchester and was about to post a similar question! What's your recommendation monty-doggy?

monty-doggy

I'm using a company called CS conveyancing. Their office is round the corner from me in offerton and they have been great. They were reasonable too. Hoping to complete in cpl of weeks

navarato

Thanks anyway Monty-doggy, good luck with completion.
Can anyone recommend a decent solicitor in the North/east London area? Cheers

monty-doggy

Thanks, you too

MaxTheCat

jennachameleon wrote: »

I'm in Manchester and was about to post a similar question! What's your recommendation monty-doggy?

I've just been using Rothwell and Evans in Swinton for my sale and purchase in London. The solicitor has been excellent to deal with. I used hem 10 years ago and would highly recommend them. I used them previously in Manchester and again they were very good then.