Can anyone recommend a decent conveyancing solicitor?

onix22 · 4 June 2015 at 9:13AM

We are about to buy a house in Surrey and we are looking for a solicitor to deal with the purchase. The mortgage broker is Halifax for the moment, but we are thinking to ask for a quote from First Direct as well.

Halifax recommended O'Neill Patient Solicitors in Stockport but we declined them as we read scary reviews about them.

Does the solicitor have to be local or shall we found one in London where we are renting for the moment?

Can anyone recommend a decent solicitor?

Thanks.

LandyAndy · 4 June 2015 at 9:45AM

I'd suggest you use a solicitor whose offices you can get to easily.

Distance shouldn't be a problem. I used a solicitor in Warrington to buy a house in Hampshire with no problems.

Well done on avoiding One Ill Patient.

D00gie72 · 4 June 2015 at 10:30AM

If you can't get a recommendation from a friend I'd recommend phoning round a few local comapnies - have a chat with each one and then go with your gut feeling. I had a more complcated house move than most - and at some points i was speaking with my conveyancer more often than my mum or my best friend - so they need to be someone you can have a conversation with!

onix22 · 4 June 2015 at 10:47AM

Is it advisable to look for the ones to offer NO WIN, NO LEGAL FEE service?

Also, we are considering purchasing Home Buyers Protection to avoid losing money if we are being gazumped. Does it worth buying it?

Malmo · 4 June 2015 at 11:13AM

You'd be well advised to read [URL=" https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4767543this useful and informative MSE thread[/URL] on how to choose a conveyancing solicitor, before you do anything.

Then read this article to understand what "good" looks like for quotations and what to expect from a good quotation.

eunja · 4 June 2015 at 1:18PM

I can thoroughly recommend Baldwin & Co Solicitors based in Oxted. They have been great throughout purchase and sale, always responsive to queries and track progress online. The assistants are all great too.

Cost approx £1,700 for both sale and purchase and would recommend in a heartbeat.

Can also recommend removals firm if needed too!

onix22 · 4 June 2015 at 1:44PM

I found Matrix Legal from Kingston upon Thames with good reviews on Feefo.com. How reliable do you think are the reviews?

nubbins · 4 June 2015 at 4:01PM

I used RMNJ for my last purchase and they were good and cheap, Borneo Martell for the purchase before that, again good but I think the put their prices up.

King_Slayer · 4 June 2015 at 4:10PM

I printed a list of all the high street /local SOL/conveyancers (available online). Then I phoned them all for a full quotation. Then I did a bit of hunting for reviews, didn't go with the cheapest (only due to reviews) but I'm really happy with my choice as my SOL has been a breath of fresh air, in comparison to the stories I've heard. :A

Windsorcastle · 4 June 2015 at 4:24PM

You don't need to use a local solicitor at all, but I probably wouldn't use someone from the Hebrides if I was buying in London! You shouldn't need to go to their offices - both times I have bought and sold, I have never needed to go to the solicitor's office; everything has been done by phone, email and fax.