Solicitors quote so high

RichardTheComic

Hi there, my partner is purchasing a shared ownership leasehold flat. He was given a quote by the solicitors connected to the estate agents and it came to £1300 + . It was 9 years ago I sold and bought a house and using a direct conveyancer it just cost £440. Have the costs really gone up that much? Can anyone recommend a conveyancing firm that deal with shared ownership ideally that are nationally. I know I can google search, but after personal opinions / recommendations if possible

questionss

RichardTheComic wrote: »

Hi there, my partner is purchasing a shared ownership leasehold flat. He was given a quote by the solicitors connected to the estate agents and it came to £1300 + . It was 9 years ago I sold and bought a house and using a direct conveyancer it just cost £440. Have the costs really gone up that much? Can anyone recommend a conveyancing firm that deal with shared ownership ideally that are nationally. I know I can google search, but after personal opinions / recommendations if possible

That (£1300) sounds expensive for purchase only but isn't a million miles away from what I paid to buy & sell 3yrs ago (both houses & freehold). your price of £440 to buy & sell sounds very cheap. Leasehold & shared ownership will both increase the bill.

G_M

Well 50% of that quote goes to the agent for introducing you tothe conveyancer.

Find your own. Shop around. Visist 3 solicitors in your local high street.

ambioni

well I've been quoted just over £2K for solicitors fees for buying a £165K house; this figure includes the £400 land vlaue transaction tax (replacement for stamp duty in Scotland since April). I did get other quotes first, some much cheaper from online conveyancers...but as with everything, you get what you pay for and if you want the expertise of a solicitor rather than a less qualified conveyancer then it costs more. My solicitor is excellent, very friendly and fast and am happy so far with their service.

Bossypants

What does the quote include? Is it just for the fees, or what you will be paying total (i.e. searches, stamp duty, etc)?

G_M

read about hidden costs and comparing quotes:

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

RichardTheComic

Hi all - thanks for advice. It includes everything, was just a lot higher than I was expecting.

slopemaster

e-mail 3 or 4 local solicitors asking for prices.
then judge not only on price, but on promptness and completeness of reply.

RichardTheComic

Thanks slopemaster. That's good advice. I'm just suprised when I've bought previously the solicitors costs were so much lower. But I guess it was 12 and 9 years ago.

Saw an online quote - Campions solicitors - that came to £789 in total, which seems better, and that was a quote for a shared ownership / leasehold transaction.

VanyaHargreeves

I work in a law firm, and I have to say that that price does sound about right I'm afraid.

RichardTheComic

Hi vanya - oh no - I thought it was so much less! It just goes to show either I was exceedingly fortunate previously, or costs have really risen