Need help choosing conveyancer 13 January at 6:41PM edited 13 January at 6:52PM in House Buying, Renting & Selling 18 replies 363 views

Overdash

Hi all - hope everyone is ok despite the terrible past 10months we've had, 
I've recently found a property I'd like to go ahead with and they require me to state which conveyancer I plan to use. I haven't selected one yet and (to no surprise) they presented me a panel of conveyancers they work with saying they've worked on the development since 2017 and "These solicitors have worked on many help to buy sales, and are aware of our strict exchange of contracts timescales given. Please see contact details and draft costs."
I was thinking on contacting an online conveyancer such as Bird and Co.
They proposed the following:

• ALEXANDER JLO SOLICITORS - Quoted £1,311.80 (with mortgage and HTB fees, otherwise £1,011 standalone)
• CAVENDISH - Quoted £1,266 (minus additional fees. With the other fees we're looking at about 1.9k in total, for HTB Charge, Full Search, Engrossment Fee and Notice of Charge)
• NEW HOMES LAW - Quoted £1,247.40 (Includes almost everything except the LR Disbursement)
• DIRECTION LAW - No Quote as of yet 
• None of the quoted prices include the additional £270 Land Registry Disbursement I'd have to add.
  

I've heard Cavendish is a nightmare, but I'm not very sure on the others. Any help? I welcome any recommendations I have 28 days to exchange and need a Solicitor that's capable/competent at a decent price (not trying to be scammed at such damning times).
I have 48hrs to reply to the developers with my choice of conveyancer and broker. Thanks in advance to any/all help

EDIT: Added quotes

greatcrested

I assume by 'they' you mean the developers? This is a New Build property?

Do not use any conveyancer they recommend. Find your own. One who has no relationship with the developer and will act 100% in your interests without worrying about upsetting the developer if necessary.

If by 'they' you mean your mortgage lender, then yes, you should use someone on their panel.

The 28 day deadline is always quoted by developers, but basically as long as you proceed at a sensible speed, they will not pull out on day 29. Or day 30. Or....

Why would they? They'd then need to find a new buyer and start the 28 day process again from scatch!

Overdash

greatcrested said:

I assume by 'they' you mean the developers? This is a New Build property?

I should have specified, sorry. Yes by "they" I mean the developer's sales team. Also, yes this is a New Build.

Good points raised here. Insightful. Thank you! 

Continental

What Greatcrested said. Do not use a conveyancing factory which is most likely in another part of the UK....they are cheaper for a reason!  You may find it best to find a solicitor close to where you live or perhaps where the property is located if possible; for buying and selling we’ve taken in proof of our ID (passports and driving licences) to the solicitors’ offices rather than sending originals or notarized copies of the originals. 

Ask around with family, friends or work colleagues if they’ve recently used a solicitor for conveyancing and if they would recommend him/her.

Tiglet2

New Homes Law are licensed conveyancers and there is a high turnover of staff.  They do specialise in new builds so that is a plus point, but I would question their loyalties towards the developer who is bringing a lot of business their way.  A lot of the people working there are not qualified, being supervised by the few that are, but I guess that is the case with a lot of conveyancing factories.  

Please note that the 28 day exchange deadline is not usually met.  Why would you want to rush through the purchase of an extremely expensive house?  You and your solicitor need to do the due diligence needed to ensure you understand exactly what you are buying, rather than being rushed to sign contracts and exchange.

Overdash

You guys are great help! Do you have any solicitors you'd recommend (buying in London)

Tiglet2

Have a look at McMillan Williams (MW) Solicitors - they have a few branches in the London area.
Another firm is Juno Property Lawyers, but this is not a recommendation as I have no personal experience of them.

Thrugelmir

Are you purchasing with a mortgage? 

Overdash

Thrugelmir said:

Are you purchasing with a mortgage? 

Yes, indeed I am

Thrugelmir

Then contact a few local solicitors on your lenders panel list. 

Overdash

Tiglet2 said:

New Homes Law are licensed conveyancers and there is a high turnover of staff.  They do specialise in new builds so that is a plus point, but I would question their loyalties towards the developer who is bringing a lot of business their way.  A lot of the people working there are not qualified, being supervised by the few that are, but I guess that is the case with a lot of conveyancing factories.  

Please note that the 28 day exchange deadline is not usually met.  Why would you want to rush through the purchase of an extremely expensive house?  You and your solicitor need to do the due diligence needed to ensure you understand exactly what you are buying, rather than being rushed to sign contracts and exchange.

Also seems like they got excellent reviews on Trustpilot... so now I'm quite torn . As anyone else would be, I'm quite nervous as this is my first purchase so I'm really trying to avoid nightmare solicitors.