Is better to use a local solicitor or an online one

folkestonelisa

Hi,

I'm sure I've read on here it's better to use a local firm than an online firm, but hubby is querying why.

There's £200 difference and I wondered if anyone can reassure me I'm better using a local one please.

Rambosmum

Most people on here seem to think local is better, but I personally don't think it really matters - I do all my chasing by phone and email and do all my correspondence via mail as I work Monday to Friday 9-5, as do most solicitors and I'm not taking a day off to hand things in!

camptownraces

The experiences posted on this forum seem to indicate that cheap online conveyancing firms give poorer service than genuine solicitors who know what they are doing.

That's not to say it's the case in every instance, of course.

theartfullodger

It's best to use a good one who understands things & communicates promptly, thoroughly.

Price does not necessarily correlate to quality.

Local/online I think is a minor decision criterium.

G_M

My vote is always for someone you can visit (so local). Some you can meet before you instruct them and see if you trust them and get the right 'feel' from them. Someone you can go and talk to if/when you have a problem (legal - not your relationship!) or a question.

Having said that, thousands of people use online outfits, never meet their conveyancers, and many of them have no problems.

Clutterfree

Personally I think it's better to go local because you can drop off any papers that need signing, etc and not have to rely on the post.

sevenhills

I just had a phone call from the solicitor asking for some documentation; I dropped it off tonight when I was walking the dog.
It will save me a few pounds in postage, and at least a few days quicker.

hammy1988

We used an online solicitor for our first time purchase in 2012 being naive skint younguns looking to save money anywhere! but this time this year, we are using a local one... and the only difference we've found... locals more expensive...but dropping off paperwork is easier and quicker. Honestly, that's it really for us. Although the online solicitor always sent prepaid envelopes etc.

Apart from that, that's it. You can make good choices online through checking reviews and that, we never had an issue with ours and they were quick to send stuff when needed when using online.

folkestonelisa

Thanks all ( even more confused now ����)

glennevis

Online is a no-brainer in my situation.

Currently selling my former main residence in East Yorkshire but now living in Scotland. Online conveyancer is based in Sevenoaks, appointed solicitor in Sheffield.
The only local is the Estate Agent.

Documents?
I can submit documents and any questions and answers using their online Case Tracking system so no need to keep phoning up. Anyway, I do my house stuff late at night usually, out of normal working hours so this suits me.

Any paperwork to sign gets scanned by me at home and submitted to the Case Tracker as a PDF. Quicker than post or even visiting (still true even if I was local) but can be sent by post next day if originals required.

ACG

Local! Cheap online is a conveyor belt approach, if something goes wrong or something unusual crops up - you will feel it. If everything goes right, they are great. But as you do not know it will go right in advance, best to be safe.

If you choose local, also choose good. Local does not mean good.
Look at reviews online, how quick are they at coming back to you etc. I use 2 solicitors, one in Manchester and one in Liverpool. Both are good, one is more expensive than the other, but is able to act for every lender. The other is cheaper, but limited to who they can act for. I always suggest my clients use a solicitor they know and trust or one of mine if they do not know any (I do not get kickbacks from my solciitors, I just know they are good).