Should we go with the developer's recommended solictors?

J5891

Hi

We are currently looking at new build purchases and one of the common themes is that they all recommend a solicitor to do the conveyancing.

However I have got some quotes via reallymoving.com and they are considerably cheaper.

So for buying and selling our house with a solicitor from reallymoving.com it will cost around £1300 and the quote from the solicitor recommended by the developer is nearly £1300 just for buying.

I've checked through all the costs with the solicitors via reallymoving.com and it covers the same thing.

Is there a reason to go with the builder's recommended solicitor?

I get the impression buyers use the recommended solicitor because it gives them comfort and security?

Cheers

TBagpuss

Shop around. Find a local solicitor who comes recommended and use them. Why would you let your seller decide who is going to give you legal advice?

There is no reason why using their recommended conveyancer would be better *for you* than using one of your own choosing.

AnnieO1234

Avoid their approved solicitor at all costs even if they're cheaper; I speak from experience of being shafted by doing that.

X

Paully232000

that sounds awfully high for a solicitors cost. I paid a total of 1170.50 for buying and selling recently and after asking on here that seemed about normal. So 1300 just for buying seems steep to say the least.
Also, go with a solicitor you are happy with, ideally recommended by someone without any interest in the sale.

bylromarha

We used our developers solicitor when buying our new build in 2006. We got a good rate.

Worse decision we made. Ended up taking them to the Law Society - got all our fees back and compensation as they were so poor.

Go with your own choice of conveyancer. Every time.

AdrianC

J5891 wrote: »

Is there a reason to go with the builder's recommended solicitor?

It makes the builder more profit.

I get the impression buyers use the recommended solicitor because it gives them comfort and security?

Is it the builders giving you that impression?

J5891

Thanks for all the quick responses.

It seems that the general opinion is to avoid using the developer's solicitors and instead find our own.

The one I've found was via reallymoving.com and has good reviews on that website. They aren't local to the location of the house that we are buying but does that matter?

They were very quick to respond to the phone and to provide the quote via email. I would have direct dial to their solicitor.

Otherwise, if anyone else has got some recommendations that would be great...

AdrianC

J5891 wrote: »

They aren't local to the location of the house that we are buying but does that matter?

I'd say yes. I'd always go with a small local solicitor. Not only are you far more likely to have somebody-with-clue handle the whole thing, rather than as much as possible be done by junior/unqualified staff of a conveyancing factory, but if there are any wrinkles with the area or the searches or any of a squillion other factors, they'll be best placed to know.

Otherwise, if anyone else has got some recommendations that would be great...

Where in the country?

J5891

AdrianC wrote: »

I'd say yes. I'd always go with a small local solicitor. Not only are you far more likely to have somebody-with-clue handle the whole thing, rather than as much as possible be done by junior/unqualified staff of a conveyancing factory, but if there are any wrinkles with the area or the searches or any of a squillion other factors, they'll be best placed to know.



Where in the country?

Oh right, that's useful to know.

Gloucester

Road_Hog

As has been said, get a local solicitor that you can visit if needs be. Never get the recommended solicitor from the developer/EA etc. because quite often you find that they are working for them, not you, even though you're paying the bill.

G_M

Clearly the Developer's recommended solicitor will have your best interests at heart.

His main concern will be to highlight to you any legal issues that might delay your purchase, NOT skirt over them.

He will want draw your attention to all the small print that gives the developer on-going rights (eg to limit/control what changes you can make to the property.

If any legal issue arises, he will put your interests above those of the Developer - after all, once the purchase is complete he will never do business again with the developer, whilst he will be hoping to have lots of monthly, if not weekly new business with you.

(oops- maybe I got that a bit mixed up)