Comparing Conveyancing Quotes but companies seem to be outsourcing?

GreenTed

Hi, We've looked on conveyancing comparison sites, starting with ReallyMoving.com, but they only send 4 companies' quotes and all of them, on reading reviews, seem to be ones who outsource to different solicitors.  Even though they have high ratings, there always some people who are very unhappy with the company they've been passed on to.  Without contacting a million solicitors directly (we've tried ones in our area and so far they're almost double the price!), is there any way to compare quotes from conveyancing solicitors who are definitely going to handle the process without outsourcing to someone else?  Thanks.

Grizebeck

most local type solicitors dont outsource

Martin_the_Unjust

I’m pretty sure your local solicitors are double the price simply because they will not be outsourcing to a ‘conveyancing factory’

user1977

GreenTed said:

is there any way to compare quotes from conveyancing solicitors who are definitely going to handle the process without outsourcing to someone else?

Yes, contact them directly and collect the quotes yourself.

Grizebeck

Martin_the_Unjust said:

I’m pretty sure your local solicitors are double the price simply because they will not be outsourcing to a ‘conveyancing factory’

and you get what you pay for 

GreenTed

It's just annoying because when we last moved, ReallyMoving gave us quotes from actual solicitors, one of whom we went with & were great, but has unfortunately since closed.  I've emailed a lot of local solicitors but haven't heard back from them all yet; I think business rates must be quite high where we live as there are a lot of wealthy people here (not us!). 

eddddy

GreenTed said:

Hi, We've looked on conveyancing comparison sites, starting with ReallyMoving.com, but they only send 4 companies' quotes and all of them, on reading reviews, seem to be ones who outsource to different solicitors.  

A lot of this results from "the digital age" and the lifestyles of Millennials and Gen Z.

• Millennials and Gen Z look for everything they need (goods and services) by searching with their digital devices (phone, tablet, laptop) - including conveyancing solicitors

• Conveyancing solicitors are (usually) good at conveyancing - but they often have no idea about digital selling and marketing

• For example, solicitors have no idea about Search Engine Optimisation (i.e. how to get their firm to the top of the list in Google search results), or advertising on Insta, Google Ads, Facebook etc, or email campaigns etc.

• So 'marketing firms' step-in to get firms of solicitors to join their 'panel' - and they find customers for those solicitors. So the 'marketing firms' establish their own brand - and do advertising, email campaigns, instant automated quotes, setting up web portals etc. But any customers they win - they pass on to their panel solicitors, in return for a fee from the solicitors.

Sometimes there might be just one layer of middlemen, sometimes there might be more.

It's often the same situation when you look for home improvements, car repairers, taxis etc on the internet - you interact with a 'marketing firm' who get the orders then simply pass them on on to their 'panel' of independent builders / mechanics / taxi drivers etc.

GreenTed

eddddy said:

GreenTed said:

Hi, We've looked on conveyancing comparison sites, starting with ReallyMoving.com, but they only send 4 companies' quotes and all of them, on reading reviews, seem to be ones who outsource to different solicitors.  

A lot of this results from "the digital age" and the lifestyles of Millennials and Gen Z.

• Millennials and Gen Z look for everything they need (goods and services) by searching with their digital devices (phone, tablet, laptop) - including conveyancing solicitors

• Conveyancing solicitors are (usually) good at conveyancing - but they often have no idea about digital selling and marketing

• For example, solicitors have no idea about Search Engine Optimisation (i.e. how to get their firm to the top of the list in Google search results), or advertising on Insta, Google Ads, Facebook etc, or email campaigns etc.

• So 'marketing firms' step-in to get firms of solicitors to join their 'panel' - and they find customers for those solicitors. So the 'marketing firms' establish their own brand - and do advertising, email campaigns, instant automated quotes, setting up web portals etc. But any customers they win - they pass on to their panel solicitors, in return for a fee from the solicitors.

Sometimes there might be just one layer of middlemen, sometimes there might be more.

It's often the same situation when you look for home improvements, car repairers, taxis etc on the internet - you interact with a 'marketing firm' who get the orders then simply pass them on on to their 'panel' of independent builders / mechanics / taxi drivers etc.

Thank you Edddy, I think you're right, although we're not those generations, but this is what my son thinks is happening too - things have moved on since last time and now there are people (perhaps from those younger generations) who're making money on the comparison sites by setting up these marketing companies.  They must make a lot of money (hence they're well-run with impressive marketing), not so good for the customer though, or rather most have a great experience but for some it's terrible.  So there's perhaps a gap in the market for someone who only wants to compare actual solicitors/services again.  More 'phone calls to make today, for something which was solved in a few clicks 10 years ago but is taking a frustratingly long time today.

Bigphil1474

We've had a few quotes from online and local solicitors - the estate agents we are selling with use a conveyancing company who then outsource to Move with us which sounds like a can I don't want to open. We have 3 local solicitors and they all came back about the same price for selling and buying. The one we've gone with has quoted around £2300 for selling and buying, excluding stamp duty.

GoogleMeNow

@GreenTed I worked at a firm who advertised heavily on the internet, as well as comparison sites and were very competitively priced.  They do all the work themselves and don't outsource. They also have a High Street presence. However, they are really busy because their competitive prices attract too many people and they didn't like turning away work, so the solicitors, while very knowledgeable, were stressed and overworked and that resulted in complaints from clients who wanted to be hand held throughout the transaction.  So, unfortunately, I cannot recommend them much as I'd like to.

Honestly, my thoughts if I were to instruct a conveyancing solicitor would be to not pay too much attention to the price.  You get what you pay for.  Contact local solicitors that you can visit, drop off documents, etc and are responsive on the telephone.

london21

I compare the quotes and check the reviews.

You can also contact them for further details, questions.