Conveyencing with Taylor Ross - Is the quote too expensive ?

Lets_fly

My offer was accepted  for buying house and used Taylor Rose as it was a big firm. But we pulled out after the survey was done at very late stage. So Taylor Ross charged me me following 
"As per your client care letter, once reports have been prepared and sent we charge 66% of your initial estimate.
Please see below breakdown, I have charged you 66% of the following fees which were on your estimate:

Legal fees                      £995 + VAT

Anti Fraud Pack            £40 + VAT

Gifted Deposit fee         £125 + VAT

Mortgage Admin fee       £195 + VAT

ID fee                           £70 + VAT

File Storage                   £45 + VAT

Chancel Repair Liability fee      £15 + VAT

As a gesture of goodwill, I have NOT included any of the Electronic transfer Fees, Pre-Completion Searches, or the SDLT Completion fee.You will recall you sent us £500 at the outset of the transaction, and our searches invoice was £399 + VAT (£478.80), accordingly you have £21.20 on account. Please pay 1178.80.

Want to know if the charges are too high ?

caprikid1

Ultimately it's what you agreed with them in the contract.

£45 file storage ? I would challenge that !.

EssexHebridean

Totally tell them you're not paying a file storage fee - that's a nonsense as they have no choice but to retain and store the file. 
Had they already done the chancel search/insurance, and issued the gifted deposit letters? if not then I would challenge those as well. Their "goodwill gesture" isn't really anything of the sort - it's just them not trying to charge you for costs they never even incurred! 

As for the rest, I'm afraid that you have by the sound of it already agreed that you will in the event of a matter not proceeding, pay a very high set of fees.  I assume that you did sign the terms of retainer at the beginning of the transaction? If so, then I'm not sure you have much room for complaint, assuming that they DID make clear that these fees would be charged even if you didn't proceed. 

As and when you are ready to go again, I would suggest getting recommendations from friends and relatives for good local firms, who will teat you rather more reasonably.

silvercar

Some of those items could be used against your next purchase. If they've already done an ID check they won't need to repeat it etc

TBG01

Why didn't you query if they were too high before you instructed the Solicitor?

It's crazy how many people sign client care letters, to confirm they've read it and accept the fees and terms etc, only to then play victim when they're albeit negatively impacted by something they agreed to.