New Build Purchase - 28 Day exchange - being pushed to use builder's recommended solicitors

user1977

stuartm100 said:

Thrugelmir said:

Chumy said:

stuartm100 said:

I am completing on a new build on Friday (first time buyer) and used the builders recommended solicitors, and have been perfectly happy. 

They have been quick at replying to my emails (usually within the hour) and have been efficient with everything. I missed the 28 day exchange because of a down valuation delaying the mortgage offer and they weren't too fussed because it was still progressing along - anyone new reserved it and they'd have to start from the beginning again.

The sales office on site also had access to the solicitors case portal so they could see how the case was progressing without having to chase me for updates all the time

The surprises usually comes on completion and sometimes years later when a dispute/issue arises or you come to sell and the buyer solicitor starts letting you know of stuff you should have know when you were buying

Solicitors have professional standards to uphold.  While they have a connection to the developers. They are not in the developers pocket. No one throws there entire livelihood by providing a substandard service intentionally. 

Agreed

My other half is a Solicitor (not a conveyancing one) and he's always paranoid about getting something wrong and putting his practicing certificate at risk

Not too difficult to fudge your advice in order to stay just the right side of professional negligence. There's a worrying number of threads here where solicitors appear to be reluctant to give any advice to their clients.