SAGA Conveyancing

mpet

Having received and accepted an offer on my property, I have started looking at options for conveyancing.

My last move was 20 years ago, so I don't have any recent experience of conveyancing. My estate agent sent me details of a couple of local solicitors they deal with, but I also received a mailer from SAGA (who may husband has car insurance with) regarding their conveyancing services. The quote from SAGA is a fair bit cheaper than the local solicitor, but as we all know, cheapest is not always best.

I have tried googling for reviews of the SAGA service, but haven't found anything. Has anyone had any experience of the SAGA service - good or bad!

TBagpuss

Not familiar with SAGA per se but generally the cheaper quotes are because companies have 'conveyancing factories' - typically there will be only one or 2 qualified solicitors and a large number of unqualified workers, doing the work based on a set script. If the transaction is totally straightforward on both sides then they may be fine, however, they are less likely than a real solicitor to be able to spot, or resolve any difficulties, and of course you won't have the advantage of being able to actually physically meet and speak to your solicitor, as you can iof you instruct someone local.

Also, do double check that you are comparing like for like. Typically (again, no direct experience of SAGA) you may find that these companies will quote a lower headline price but then lists as extras things which are included in the original quote from a reputable solicitor.

G_M

No experience of SAGA conveyancing, but as a company they
a) are generally expensive
b) are very commercially driven (profit drive)
c) trade on their historic reputation (they've been sold on....) as a champion of the elderly

Compare the quotes carefully for hidden extras. Read:

http://www.theadvisory.co.uk/conveyancing-quote.php

mpet

Thanks for the advice.

I realise that they are the equivilent of an online conveyancer, but SAGA have provided quite a comprehensive breakdown of their charges and have stated that this will be the maximum charge - it could be less (lower money transfer sharges etc).

I have also received a 'local solicitors' quote and will be going through the details of both before making a decision.

At the moment, it looks as if SAGA are @ £700 cheaper for handling the sale & purchase - although I will be going over the details with a fine toothcomb!

G_M

If you are right, then go for it.

But £700 is a big difference, and my gut reaction is that there is something left out. Handling mortgage? Management Company charge if a flat?

Maybe I'm wrong but I'm suspicious!

Be interested to know - Come back and report when you get the final bill after it's all over!

mpet

Will do - the cost may be cheaper as there is no mortgage involved - although the same should apply to a local solicitor. Its the sale & purchase of freehold houses - so in theory should be a straightforward process (fingers crossed)!!

Richard_Webster

Go through both estimates and compare each item. If one quotes £100 for searches and another £300, ask them both how the figures are arrived at.

Are they generic figures for a number of searches or specific to the particular area (with any other necessary searches, e.g. mining if relevant included)? They may only include the cost of a local search and the others will be extra or they may have put in a figure for a pack containing a number of searches.

SDLT and Land Registry Fees should be the same in each case, but you have to watch items such as the cost of electronic transfer (typically £30 + VAT, but can be more or less) and some practices charge for completing the SDLT form (and this needs doing whether or not you are paying SDLT!). Some even have been known to charge for raising additional enquiries - if they make that charge then they really are scamming you, because there are few cases where some such queries are not needed!

Elly_May

I have just received a conveyancing quote from SAGA through the post and upon checking the figures as they just didn't seem right realised that they had completely left out the selling fees which amounted to £750! So, once I added this, their quote was no different to my local high street solicitor. Be careful, double check everything.