Buying a New Build....getting weird vibes about Countrywide Conveyancing...

GixerKate

I am in the process of selling my current property and buying a new build, the financial adviser (Countrywide) suggested using Countrywide Conveyancing which seemed logical as she can chase directly in-house, they have a online portal etc and reviews online look ok.  I pass the solicitors details to the developers who made a face and tried to get me to use someone else.  In the meantime the financial advisor has submitted the PIF with Countrywide Conveyancing as our solicitors.
I inform the estate agent who is selling my current property who also says that its not a good idea and that we should use a proper solicitors instead.
Whats the deal here?  I'm guessing as the PIF form is already submitted there is little I can do now anyway?

Cheers in advance.

[Deleted User]

The person at the developers has obviously been around long enough to know that Countrywide are a company that they dont enjoy doing business with.   I don't think they would be alone in that feeling either.  

I used to work for Countrywide and refused to use their conveyancing firm.  Our area created a relationship with a separate firm that offered better service. 

They offer a sub par service at a premium price.  

SameOldRoundabout

If you have a quick look at the Countrywide reviews online you’ll see that the developers are far from the only people who feel that way. 

GixerKate

SameOldRoundabout said:

If you have a quick look at the Countrywide reviews online you’ll see that the developers are far from the only people who feel that way. 

The most recent reviews are pretty good though, and the thread on here dates back some years....however am having serious doubts!  Might have left it too late now though

notrouble

Another vote not to use them. "she can chase directly in-house" that old chestnut! It's no different to picking up the phone and chasing someone 'out of house'!

Find your own conveyancer- preferably one you've met, like and trust - so visit several in your high street.

"I'm guessing as the PIF form is already submitted there is little I can do now anyway?" Have you actually signed and returned Countrywide Conveyancing's contract or Terms of Business? If not, simply find your prefered solicitor and give the name to the agent with an apologetic "I've changed my mind".

Even if you've signed, if they haven't started work for you, write to them to 'de-instruct' - they can only charge you for work/time they've actualy done.

But make the change asap if you are going to.

GixerKate

notrouble said:

Another vote not to use them. "she can chase directly in-house" that old chestnut! It's no different to picking up the phone and chasing someone 'out of house'!

Find your own conveyancer- preferably one you've met, like and trust - so visit several in your high street.

"I'm guessing as the PIF form is already submitted there is little I can do now anyway?" Have you actually signed and returned Countrywide Conveyancing's contract or Terms of Business? If not, simply find your prefered solicitor and give the name to the agent with an apologetic "I've changed my mind".

Even if you've signed, if they haven't started work for you, write to them to 'de-instruct' - they can only charge you for work/time they've actualy done.

But make the change asap if you are going to.

Hmm, my limited understanding is that the PIF is the submission for the Buy To Help loan and I don't want to mess with that process and potentially get turned down which would mean bye bye new build.
I don't have any personal knowledge of any conveyancers plus can't really go local as the new build is about 70 miles away from where I currently live so that isn't really an option for me either unfortunately.

kingstreet

Have you got a quote from Countrywide Conveyancing yet? If so, what's the referral fee included in the cost you are paying to the EA for that?

GixerKate

kingstreet said:

Have you got a quote from Countrywide Conveyancing yet? If so, what's the referral fee included in the cost you are paying to the EA for that?

I have the quotes and as far as I'm aware there isn't a referral fee.

Andysandy

Are you sure? The conveyancing quote from your broker should say something like this in the T&Cs. For reference, the full quote for the legal fee in this instance was £1,284

GixerKate

Found it! and yes, its about the same amount.
It looks like I've been assigned two different solicitors via Countrywide; one for the purchasing and one for the selling side.  Only the selling side is CC.

[Deleted User]

Are you purchasing a leasehold?  They panel all the lease stuff out as they don't want difficult stuff.

2 different solicitors is not ideal

If your purchase solicitor isn't countrywide conveyancing then you are going to have to redo your help to Buy paperwork anyway, may as well move to a decent firm who can do the sale and purchase together