higher solicitor fee but cheaper overall quote?

Midnight_Tboy

Hi all.

I'm just curious....

so I've started the final application on a house. I rang a couple of places for quotes, and I originally informed the Broker that I was using Company A as my conveyancer. Their quote was around 775 give or take fixed . £400+VAT was their fee itself rest in the other expenses etc. She gave me the total amount first, then said what their fees part was

It turns out the seller was also using the same solicitor.

Whilst the EA Broker was going to find out if can still use them (I believe it's possible when using different branches)...I decided to ring a couple more places.

The person I spoke with at Company B rang me back. He advised their own fees first, at 450+VAT, then he started reaming off a small list of different things and their prices.....and he said it came to £727. He did say there was of course other extra optional things that can come into it like with any solicitor.

I rang up the EA broker and said I'll just change to them anyway, as it will make things easier than battling over who gets to use Company A...and of course, it does appear cheaper

I'm just wondering however....how is it that a company that is 50+VAT more expensive, is actually cheaper overall in giving their fixed quote? Whilst reaming through the stuff (and I was going through work stuff at the time so didn't have full concention), one of the things he did say was currently half price at xx. I don't know if some of these types of fees vary depending on companies used though?

GMS

Some offer lower legal fees and bury additional fees in the quote such as admin fees, acting for lender fee etc.

The total is the important bit!

Midnight_Tboy

aah that's great - thanks

I am curious about what the potential 'extra bits' could tot up to be...but reality is any and every solicitor will no doubt have those potential extras so without going through it all with a fine toothcomb which haven't got the time for, should be fine regardless....and they seem a lot more responsive compared to trying to get hold with the other company

TBagpuss

there may be minor differences in relation to how the various searches are sourced.

Also double check that both are including (or excluding!) VAT etc.

It's also possible that there is something which one is including as standard which the other would class as an option extra.

Midnight_Tboy

thanks - great information. I rang up to double check and confirm that it was with VAT so all good so far

Thrugelmir

Ask for a fully itemised quote. A high % of the cost is fixed. As these are disbursements that are incurred irrespective of who the conveyancer is. The actual legal fees that are charged for the service is the part where variations occur. Though a solicitor that you can easily visit if neccessary. May be worth the additional expense. Rather than dealing with a firm remotely.