Local Search disbursement quote - higher than council charge?

Rawling4851

I'm currently in talks with a solicitor over a quote to buy a house. Their quote for a local search pack is about twice what the council's own webpage says it costs. Is this usual? Does the "disbursement" cost also include the cost of the work getting the documents, or should that come under the legal fees?

My first thought was that this was just a rough quote without actually looking at the council in question, but the solicitors have also offered to buy the searches off the previous buyer (which fell through) who has quoted a similar price. (Also, from that I can see which of the optional searches are included and it's not nearly enough to make up the difference, although it does include a "climate report" which I can't find any reference to...)

davidmcn

Does the search "pack" merely have the council's search, or does it include anything else?

Rawling4851

I didn't realise that was an option, so I should call and check!

(The offered search from the previous buyer seems to just be the normal search, drainage search and whatever a "climate report" is, which isn't looking like good value for money.)

greatcrested

https://www.reallymoving.com/first-time-buyers/guides/what-are-conveyancing-searches

https://www.theadvisory.co.uk/conveyancing/conveyancing-searches/

I also recommend getting a book on house buying - otherwise there will be 133 further questions you will raise here over the coming months....

It's a huge financial commitment. Make sure you understand how it works, what the process is, what issues might arise and.... what you will need to do and decide.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/how-to-buy-your-first-home-and-how-to-sell-it-too/phil-spencer/9780091935375

https://www.waterstones.com/book/buying-and-selling-a-home-for-dummies/melanie-bien/9780470994481