How To Choose a Conveyancing Solicitor/Understanding A Quote

Hovegull

I'm planning to purchase my very first flat in the UK (between 240 000-275000) and I'm encountering some difficulties to find a solicitor and to understand whether the quotes that I've been given are reasonable.  Two of them have given me a quote for £2500 and one in the area where I plan to buy the property has quoted £5800!   
 This is an example (quote) of one that was recommended to me by the estate agent and is not in the same area. 

Legal fees £949.00

Vat on legal fees £189.80

Search fees £350.00

Land registry fee  - £150.00

Id checking fee - £14.40.

Client abroad - £120.00 inc vat

Leasehold fee £720.00 inc vat

Final LR Searches £13.00

 

Total - £2506.20

Stamp duty based on £250,000.00 and you not being a UK resident - £7500.00

Having read various previous posts on this forum and not having any experience whatsoever with regards to purchasing property in the UK, I'm worried about any possible hidden fees (and how to choose a good solicitor) and  being taking for a ride as it's obvious that I'm a novice when it comes to dealing with solicitors.

Thank you. 

Robin9

Your conveyancer can live anywhere -  there is no advantage in them living in the area.

Flugelhorn

Robin9 said:

Your conveyancer can live anywhere -  there is no advantage in them living in the area.

I think the only thing is getting the ID checked - can that be done remotely?

Albermarle

Flugelhorn said:

Robin9 said:

Your conveyancer can live anywhere -  there is no advantage in them living in the area.

I think the only thing is getting the ID checked - can that be done remotely?

Yes it can, they use a third party app that checks your photo, passport ( it can even read the chip in your passport)

Voyager2002

Robin9 said:

Your conveyancer can live anywhere -  there is no advantage in them living in the area.

Not necessarily true: someone who lives locally might know about new developments, things about the area that might be a nuisance, and so forth, rather than having to hope that the search would reveal them. Having said that, this is a marginal advantage, not something for which I would pay a lot extra.

Flugelhorn

Albermarle said:

Flugelhorn said:

Robin9 said:

Your conveyancer can live anywhere -  there is no advantage in them living in the area.

I think the only thing is getting the ID checked - can that be done remotely?

Yes it can, they use a third party app that checks your photo, passport ( it can even read the chip in your passport)

that's very helpful - we moved some distance about 5 years ago and had a fab solicitor there who managed 2 sales and 3 purchases for us - was thinking it might be a hassle if we needed help in the future and had to find someone else just because of the ID issue

Hovegull

Can anyone give me any insight about the fees that have been given to me? I will also be a UK resident when I purchase the property and it will be my main and only residence.

user1977

The search and land registry fees are being paid to third parties so ignore those, you are comparing what the conveyancers are charging for their own services.

I would avoid firms "recommended" by the estate agent, they may be tempted to overlook problems in the interest of keeping good relationships with the agent.

Flugelhorn

user1977 said:

The search and land registry fees are being paid to third parties so ignore those, you are comparing what the conveyancers are charging for their own services.

I would avoid firms "recommended" by the estate agent, they may be tempted to overlook problems in the interest of keeping good relationships with the agent.

also have to be wary of referral fees boosting the charges by the conveyancer

agree search / registration fees are all the same 

Hovegull

user1977 said:

The search and land registry fees are being paid to third parties so ignore those, you are comparing what the conveyancers are charging for their own services.

I would avoid firms "recommended" by the estate agent, they may be tempted to overlook problems in the interest of keeping good relationships with the agent.

I'm confused by you saying to ignore the land registry fees.  If you don't find a solicitor that is recommended, do you just contact any firm. I have all done just that but am still awaiting their fees. I have no way of comparing whether the above is a standard fee for my purchase.

Hovegull

Flugelhorn said:

user1977 said:

The search and land registry fees are being paid to third parties so ignore those, you are comparing what the conveyancers are charging for their own services.

I would avoid firms "recommended" by the estate agent, they may be tempted to overlook problems in the interest of keeping good relationships with the agent.

also have to be wary of referral fees boosting the charges by the conveyancer

agree search / registration fees are all the same 

I did not see any referral fees being charged. This is also my main concern, how can you make sure that once, the whole process is going through, that you don't get overcharged?