Conveyancing - expedited service fee?

welly_59

I'm currently looking at conveyancing quotes for a potential purchase and have seen a number of conveyancers offer "expedited service" for various fees.

Muve offer exchange in 5 weeks for £600, with £100 off that price for every week late. 

MJP £300 with no guarantee of delivery.

Etc.

Are these added services actually worth doing?

Andrew1981

I'm not sure how they can offer these services with any sense of guarentee as how fast it takes usually takes relies on so many other parties, primarily the other conveyancer, searches, leaseholders etc.  I'd imagine there's a fairly large number of clauses in there meaning you'd be unlikely to get any money back. 

Having said that, imo conveyancers are the most frustrating part of a purchase and I'd happily pay £300 for a expedited process... Although don't expect 5 weeks! 

welly_59

Andrew1981 said:

I'm not sure how they can offer these services with any sense of guarentee as how fast it takes usually takes relies on so many other parties, primarily the other conveyancer, searches, leaseholders etc.  I'd imagine there's a fairly large number of clauses in there meaning you'd be unlikely to get any money back. 

Having said that, imo conveyancers are the most frustrating part of a purchase and I'd happily pay £300 for a expedited process... Although don't expect 5 weeks! 

Search indemnity insurance so that there is no waiting for LA searches to come back, proactively chasing the other party, and yes clauses such as having to respond to any request within 48 hours or the clock stops

dannim12345

Sounds a good idea but the other party doesn’t have to respond or they might have nothing to say as they are waiting on others themselves. If you are in a rush and there’s no chain maybe yes otherwise not sure I would bother just find a good solictor 

welly_59

dannim12345 said:

Sounds a good idea but the other party doesn’t have to respond or they might have nothing to say as they are waiting on others themselves. If you are in a rush and there’s no chain maybe yes otherwise not sure I would bother just find a good solictor 

No chain, seller is currently my landlord. Buying rented property I've been living in for last 8 years

user1977

welly_59 said:

dannim12345 said:

Sounds a good idea but the other party doesn’t have to respond or they might have nothing to say as they are waiting on others themselves. If you are in a rush and there’s no chain maybe yes otherwise not sure I would bother just find a good solictor 

No chain, seller is currently my landlord. Buying rented property I've been living in for last 8 years

In which case it shouldn't take too long anyway. I'd rather pay for good service than poor-but-expedited service. Things like search indemnity insurance are a good idea (especially if you already know the property) but are actually cheaper anyway.

GAMBITv5

Solicitors can act quickly when they have to I.e in new build scenarios where exchange typically must happen within 6 weeks. 

Just give them a deadline to work to on both sides of the transaction and you’ll be surprised what can be achieved!

housebuyer143

When you pay expedite they normally guarantee to reply to your emails within 24 hours and do any work on your case in the same timeframe. 
They cannot control the other side so you could do everything fast and still be waiting months. 

I paid an expedite service and it was as above... The buyer was so slow though it probably only sped it up a week or two 

In your case it seems unwarranted as it will probably be fast anyway. 

Tiglet2

Yes, exactly as housebuyer143 says above.  Your solicitor can offer an expedited service to you as their client.  That means they will prioritise your file over other files and will be responsive to your queries and the work they have to do.  What it does not do, however, is speed up any other parties involved in your transaction as your solicitor does not have control over how quickly anyone else does their bit.  This includes the seller and their solicitor plus perhaps the management company, Land Registry, the Council, the lender etc etc.  

Hamlet22

Never agree to that.
The very best conveyancers are the ones who will quick anyway. 
I would always avoid conveyancing recommendations from high street chain estate agents.
And certainly type into Google the name of the conveyancing company with the word 'review' after their name - and judge for yourself

TheJP

Pointless. The sale takes as long as it takes.