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Whether you’re buying or selling a house, you’re sure to have lots of questions flying around that you’d like answered. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but as long as you choose a reputable conveyancer, they’ll be happy to answer any queries you may have.
Here are the top questions we think you should ask a potential conveyancer.
1. Why do I need a conveyancing solicitors help?
Don’t feel embarrassed to ask your conveyancer this question, it’s a perfectly reasonable thing to wonder why you need a conveyancer at all. Although it’s easy to be told that you need help with the legal and administrative side of your sale or purchase, you may feel more comfortable paying your conveyancing fee knowing exactly what it is you’re getting for your money. From drawing up contracts to transferring funds, your conveyancer should be happy to provide a breakdown of the services they’re going to provide.
2. How many cases has the conveyancer handled?
When choosing a conveyancing solicitor, it's important to understand their level of experience. While it might be challenging for a solicitor to give an exact count, especially if they've been practicing for years, what you're really looking for is evidence of their expertise.
Rather than focusing on numbers alone, ask your conveyancer to share:
Number of years in practice: The length of time they've been working in conveyancing gives a general sense of their experience level.
Diverse property transactions: Enquire about the variety of properties they've worked with, such as residential homes, commercial properties, or specific categories like listed buildings and leaseholds.
If you're purchasing a specific or specialised property type, dig deeper into the solicitor's specific experiences:
Listed buildings: Find out if they've handled the unique challenges that come with historic properties.
Leasehold purchases: Ask about their experience with leasehold agreements and any particular difficulties they've encountered.
Newbuild properties: With specific requirements such as developers deadlines, planning permissions, building regulations and warranties, it's advisable to use a conveyancer experienced in newbuild property transactions, to ensure everything runs smoothly and on time.
3. Is the conveyancing firm on my mortgage lenders approved list
Checking if a solicitor is accepted by your mortgage lender is an essential step in the home-buying process. Here's how you can ensure smooth sailing:
Verify membership on the approved panel: Many mortgage lenders have specific panels of solicitors they work with. Confirm that the conveyancing solicitor is included on that list to prevent any extra hurdles during transactions.
Ask for documentation: Request proof that they are approved by your lender. This could be a formal letter or documentation indicating their panel membership.
Direct contact with lender: If you're unsure, a quick call or email to your mortgage lender can clarify which solicitors are eligible to assist you. Additionally, lenders typically provide this information online.
Avoid additional costs: Hiring a solicitor not approved by your lender might lead to unexpected fees and delays, as lenders often require approved representatives to handle the paperwork.
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Rest assured.
At My Home Move Conveyancing we only work with Conveyancers who are approved by all major mortgage lenders.
4. Is the company regulated by a professional body?
Before hiring a conveyancing solicitor verify their regulation status. Qualified professionals should be regulated by reputable bodies such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
These organisations ensure that solicitors adhere to high standards of practice, protecting your interests throughout the conveyancing process. Always prioritise engaging with conveyancers and solicitors who are credit-checked and regulated to safeguard your legal needs.
5. What cyber security measures does the company have in place?
With the increasing trend of conveyancing scams and payment diversions, all of our conveyancing partners have cyber security measures in place to stay ahead of potential threats. Here's a list of some strategies you should look for to ensure your money's safety:
Encryption technology: Do they employ encryption technology to protect sensitive data during transfers to keep your information confidential and secure?
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Does accessing their systems require multiple forms of verification, to safeguard against unauthorised logins?
Real-time alerts: Do their systems generate instant alerts for any suspicious activities, allowing swift action to prevent potential fraud?
Secure communication channels: What communication methods are used to discuss sensitive information? Is the risk of email interception minimised.
6. How much is a conveyancer going to cost?
Now that you know what you’re getting, you’ll want to know how much it’s going to cost. Conveyancing can cost anywhere between £600-£1,500 when buying a house, so it’s a good idea to get several quotes. Although it’s not always best to go for the cheapest quote, you will see what constitutes as good value.
You may also have stamp duty to pay, use our stamp duty calculator to get an estimate.
Get a conveyancing quote today using our online conveyancing calculator to get personalised fees for your move.
7. What are disbursements and are they included in my fee?
Disbursements are third-party costs which your conveyancer will take care of as part of your transaction, including things such as the cost of searches and registering details of your transaction with the Land Registry.
When you receive a quote from a conveyancer, it’s important to understand what the cost you’re provided with includes. This will help you differentiate between quotes and can help you decide which prices offer the best value.
Find out more about disbursements in our guide to conveyancing fees.
8. What happens if my purchase/sale falls through?
When a property transaction doesn't proceed as planned, it's helpful to understand your financial obligations. At My Home Move Conveyancing we offer a no sale, no legal fee agreement. This means you won't be liable for the solicitor's legal fees if the purchase or sale collapses.
Whilst many conveyancers offer this style of agreement, it's important to be aware that this often excludes disbursements (see above for further explanation). These expenses may still need to be covered, even if the purchase falls through.
Key Steps to Take:
Clarify with Your Solicitor: Confirm whether your solicitor provides a no sale, no fee agreement. Ask about which costs you would still be responsible for if the deal doesn't go through.
Review the Agreement: Look closely at the terms of your agreement with the conveyancer. Understanding what’s included and excluded will help you avoid unexpected charges.
Contact Third Parties: Reach out to any third-party service providers directly to discuss potential refunds or costs.
9. Do I get a designated conveyancer?
If you want to aim towards having the smoothest experience possible with your conveyancer, this is a good question to ask. You’ll want to deal with one person as much as you can, which will help you build rapport and save you from having to repeat yourself.
Asking this question can also ensures you have an experienced and reliable solicitor working on your case. The option of using a newly qualified solicitor can sometimes keep costs lower, however, you may decide it’s not worth the risk and choose to use a more experienced conveyancer instead.
10. What happens if my conveyancer is on holiday?
This might seem like a strange question, however, if you are aiming to complete during a popular holiday period like Easter, August or between Christmas and New Year, you will need to know the conveyancing firm is working and your conveyancer is available.
If your conveyancer does have a holiday booked, ask for the contact details of the person who will be covering their workload. It's not unusual for a case to be paused if the assigned conveyancer isn't there to make decisions.
11. How will I be updated about the progress of my move and how often?
In addition to knowing who will be your main point of contact, ask how they will keep you informed. Most of the time, your conveyancer will communicate through email or phone calls, or an online portal, offering a quick and efficient way to receive updates. While hard copies might occasionally be necessary, digital communication ensures you are not left waiting for days for important information.
It's also important to clarify how often these updates will occur. Many conveyancers prefer not to inundate clients with calls when nothing has changed. However, if you're someone who values constant updates, make sure to express this preference. Alternatively, if you prefer to be contacted only when there's a significant update or action required from you, don't hesitate to communicate this.
Understanding the balance between keeping you informed and overwhelming you with unnecessary details is key. By establishing your communication preferences early on, you can enjoy a more tailored and stress-free conveyancing experience.
12. How long does conveyancing take?
Although it’s not always the most straightforward question to answer, it’s definitely the question conveyancers hear most. Even though you’ll only be able to receive approximations, averages and best case scenarios, posing this question shows your conveyancer that you’re in no mood to wait around. For further information on how long the process can take, please take a look at our conveyancing timeline guide.
13. Can I speed things up?
If you’re desperate to hurry things along, this is a perfectly normal question to ask. It’s no bad thing to know what you can do to make your sale or purchase go as smoothly as possible. From signing and returning documents promptly, to replying to questions and enquiries as efficiently as you can, there’s plenty you can do to keep things ticking along nicely. Read our handy article for 10 tips on how to speed up your conveyancing process.
If you are purchasing your first home, take a look at our first time buyers guide, full of handy information on the steps you can expect to take throughout the journey.
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Need help with conveyancing?
The conveyancer’s we work with offer their services across England and Wales. Get a personalised quote for your move today.
14. When do I need to pay conveyancing fees?
Always check when you’ll need to pay your final conveyancing bill. Some firms might ask for payment at exchange, while others might wait until completion.
You could also be asked for a deposit upfront and to cover disbursement costs as they come up. Since this can vary between companies, it’s a good idea to find out when your payments will be due.
15. Where can I find reviews for the conveyancing firm?
A reputable conveyancer will welcome transparency and often direct potential clients to their online reviews or testimonials.
However, keep in mind that online reviews aren’t always what they seem—some can be bought or fake. So, take a closer look at what people are actually saying, not just the star rating. Remember, you’re looking for signs of real expertise and quality service.
16. What is the company's grievance procedure?
Choosing a qualified and experienced property solicitor typically minimises the need for grievances. However, should a problem arise, it's reassuring to know a company has a complaints procedure and is committed to resolving any disputes.
Before you instruct your conveyancer you should receive documentation outlining (amongst other things) the firm’s grievance policies. This document specifies the steps you need to follow should a complaint arise, and the timeframe you can expect any issues to be resolved in.
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