Stages and timings of the conveyancing process
Conveyancing typically takes around 14–22 weeks to complete, from offer to completion. However, the steps involved each have their own timeframe that can vary depending on how complex the transaction is and how quickly everyone involved responds. Below are the key conveyancing steps and the typical timeframes you can expect.
Pre-contract: Approximately two weeks
You’re in the pre-contract stage as soon as your offer is accepted. At this point, your conveyancer will start collecting key information and documents from you to start the process, which takes around two weeks.
Mortgage offer: Approximately two-six weeks
Getting your mortgage offer usually takes between two–six weeks. Securing a mortgage Agreement in Principle (AIP) before you start house hunting can help speed things up once your offer is accepted, as some affordability and credit checks will already have been carried out.
However, you won’t receive your full mortgage offer immediately: your lender still needs to complete a property valuation and review additional paperwork before issuing the final offer.
How long does conveyancing take after the mortgage offer?
Once your mortgage has been approved, the conveyancing process can take as little as 2 weeks. However, this time will also depend on the results from searches, surveys and enquiries sent by your solicitor, as you cannot exchange contracts without all of these being complete.
Draft contract: Approximately two-10 weeks
The seller’s conveyancer will prepare the initial draft contract, which typically takes around a week. It usually takes another couple of weeks for the buyer’s conveyancer to review it, raise enquiries, and receive responses.
Be aware that the draft contract phase of the conveyancing process can vary widely in length. While some straightforward cases may be completed in as little as two weeks, more complex transactions, especially leasehold or probate sales, or transactions where lots of enquiries are raised, stretch to 10 weeks or more.
Searches and survey: Approximately two-eight weeks
The searches and survey run alongside the draft contract, as their results can raises enquiries that need to be answered to help form the contract. Your conveyancer will arrange the conveyancing searches which include local authority, environmental, and Land Registry searches. Although they typically take two-six weeks, delays can occur if local authorities have long turnaround times.
You will need to organise the home survey yourself. This usually takes around two weeks, depending on the surveyor you choose and their availability. However, delays can occur if major issues are raised.
How long do conveyancing searches take?
As issues can arise from your searches and surveys, this stage can take anywhere between two and eight weeks. Typically, the average time from getting property searches back to exchange is around three weeks. Potential setbacks can arise and extend this period if the seller is unable to grant immediate access for a survey, or if the local authority has a long lead time on the provision of local search results. Additionally, if the local authority searches raise any issues, the process can take longer.
Once all enquiries have been resolved and the search results and mortgage offer have been checked, you’re ready to exchange contracts. If you’re buying, then you’ll transfer your deposit at this point.
Exchanging contracts and completion: Approximately one-two weeks
Once all enquiries are resolved you can exchange contracts. This is when a completion date is set, and the transaction becomes legally binding. While two weeks is a common duration between the exchanging of contracts and completion, the timeframe can be flexible and is adjusted to fit the needs of all parties involved.
During this stage, your conveyancer will finalise the completion documents and carry out further searches on things like the Land Registry and bankruptcy. If everything’s in order, each side’s conveyancer can prepare financial statements relating to the transfer of funds between buyer and seller.
Completion day: One day (usually by 2pm)
On completion day the conveyancers will organise the transfer of all funds between parties. The seller will usually need to have vacated the property by lunchtime, with the buyer able to pick up the keys to their new home by 2pm.
Post-completion: Approximately two-six weeks
After you’ve completed, your conveyancer will continue to work for you even though you’ve already moved in or out. From sending signed completion documents to registering your purchase and mortgage with the Land Registry, tying up all the loose ends usually takes around two to six weeks.
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