Offer accepted - looking for a solicitor

ConfusedofYorkshire · 23 January 2014 at 9:52AM

I looked for small local firms and avoided massive national ones.
I've ended up with a family recommendation. Total including all fees and excluding stamp duty is 1150.

Mokka · 24 January 2014 at 10:45PM

In central London you should expect to pay £650-£750 fees + VAT.
All the disimbursments are on top of that.
If you are getting a mortgage you need a solicitor who is on the panel of your lender- otherwise you will have to pay extra.
My advice would be to go for a solicitor who has experience with the particular local authority where you are buying. The LAs' efficiency (with doing searches etc) varies enormously and it's helpful to know what to expect.
A friend of mine had a nightmare with a small town solicitor who was cheap but completely confused by concepts such as live-work studio, leasehold being converted to freehold etc. and nearly jeopardised the deal for everyone.
Also make sure they return your calls and emails.
GOod luck

Din85 · 25 January 2014 at 8:35AM

ConfusedofYorkshiremost_66481 wrote:

I looked for small local firms and avoided massive national ones.
I've ended up with a family recommendation. Total including all fees and excluding stamp duty is 1150.

This tbh.

I googled local ones, then sent a few an email asking for a quote.

I picked the one with the most personal reply, and also a price that was £500 cheaper than the EA recommended one (big online conveyanceing factory).

All in it's around £1000.