Country Wide Solicitors

BullyCornedBeef

This is an exiting time for me. I have just had an offer accepted on a flat I like and am now trying to hire the right solicitors.

My estate agent recommends Country Wide, a company located in Cardiff. They are, aparently, the biggest legal team dedicated to property in the UK and charge about £600!!! My local solicitors charge a fee in the region of £1200ish.

I am stuck between a rock and a hard place here because the savings with going with Country Wide are obvious. However, I have not heard good things about them - two people have told me they are slow and not very efficient. So should I bite the bullet and hire a local solicitor for a smoother transition or should I risk Country Wide and save £600?

Many thanks/.

maninthestreet

If you are buying a property, you don't have an estate agent - he works for the vendor, not the buyer. There is almost certainly a business relationship between the EA and Countywide solicitors, and that is the only reason the EA is recommending them.

cattie

Shop around for a solicitor. You don't have to use one that's local to you either as things can be done via post nowdays. There can be a huge difference in fees charged, as you've already found. Also estate agents usually earn commision from solicitors they recommend.

I've never used Countrywide, but have seen a lot of negative posts about them on mse.

I don't know how much your flat is going to cost, but if the £600 is for the legal fee only then it's a lot of money. I'm paying my solicitor £300 legals + disbursements for my house sale & same fee again for buying my next property. I've used them before so know they do the job, plus I get a 15% discount as a returning customer, which keeps me faithful. :T

homer_j_3

are you sure its £600 and not £600 + vat and dispersements.

I find it very difficult to see how they will be so cheap - especially if they are giving a commission to the EA for recommending them

spendingmad

We have used country wide twice - once buying our current property and once selling a deceased relatives property - both times they have been excellent very quick, efficent and professional. I can not comment on the cost as I am not sure what we where charged. All I can tell you is that the service was very good. Hope this helps!

cattie

homer_j wrote: »

are you sure its £600 and not £600 + vat and dispersements.

Oh oh, I forgot to add that the dreaded vat has to be added to my legal costs as in my post above.