Conveyancing solicitor fees calculator

File opening fee:

A file opening fee is charged once you have agreed the deal with your property buyer or seller so work can commence on your file. This fee is payable at that point and covers the initial administrative work and secures the no move, no legal fee guarantee in relation to any conveyancing legal fees from that point onwards.

Conveyancing legal fee:

A conveyancing legal fee is what you will pay us for our services. This includes Archiving, Lawyer Verification Fees, ID Checks, and Electronic Transfer fee, all covered by our no move, no legal fee, (also known as no completion, no fee) guarantee. Your quote is subject to change upon additional property and sale/purchase details, such as a Rent to Buy scheme or Gifted Deposit. Speak to your Move Specialist to get a more accurate pricing structure.

Conveyancing search pack:

A conveyancing search pack includes the cost of Personal, Local, Drainage/Water, and Environmental searches. Occasionally, additional searches are necessary due to the location of the property. We value transparency in pricing, and therefore ask for £399 (£295 + £59 VAT +£45 extra) to avoid any delay in ordering these when necessary. Any unused amount will show as credit on your file.

Land registry searches:

Land registry searches in a conveyancing quote ensure that no further entries have been added to the title of the property at the Land Registry, which could be detrimental to your home purchase.

Stamp Duty Land Tax:

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax payable to HMRC. The amount of tax charged is dependent on a number of factors, for example, the value of the property and the number of properties you own. If you are buying property in Wales, you will be paying Land Transaction Tax (LTT), or if you are buying a property in Scotland, you will be paying Land and Building Transaction Tax (LBTT) (rather than SDLT), and the sum amount due may change. Get in touch to discuss if you think this may apply to your Welsh or Scottish property purchase, or use our stamp duty calculator to see how much your SDLT, LTT, or LBTT will cost.

Expedition fee:

Your conveyancing quote does not include some additional fees which may be added to your financial statement once you have returned your starter pack. These fees can include an Expedition fee, Fraud Protection fee, and Confirmation of Sale fee (depending on the nature of your transaction). Speak to your Move Specialist to find out more about these fees and how to opt out.

If you still have questions around My Home Move Conveyancing’s conveyancing quote calculator, read on for our frequently asked questions.

What are conveyancing fees?

Conveyancing fees are the costs you pay to a conveyancer or solicitor when buying, selling or remortgaging a property. These fees cover the legal work that a conveyancer or solicitor completes such as preparing and checking contracts, answering enquiries, carrying out property searches, and registering any changes of ownership with the Land Registry. They also include disbursements, which are additional costs paid to third parties, such as property search fees, Land Registry charges, and VAT.

What is the average conveyancing fee in the UK?

Conveyancing fees can vary widely depending on several factors, so it can be difficult to determine a single average fee for conveyancing. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to use an online calculator entering the specific details of your move.

Key factors that affect conveyancing fees include whether you are buying, selling, both, or remortgaging; the property’s price; its tenure (whether it’s freehold or leasehold, with leasehold transactions usually costing more); and whether a mortgage needs to be arranged or redeemed.

How much does conveyancing cost?

The cost for conveyancing varies depending on the type of transaction and the complexity of legal work involved. Typical costs, including the conveyancer’s legal fees and disbursements, are:

Other factors can also add to the overall cost for your conveyancing, such as paying stamp duty, buying a new build, using a gifted deposit or Lifetime ISA to help fund your purchase, or needing a specialist conveyancing solicitor.

It’s important to remember that fees can also reflect the level of service as well as complexity, and cheapest is not always best. With lower fees you may receive a more basic service with less communication and control. Check out our example conveyancing quote to see what a quote might include for your sale, purchase or remortgage.

How do I compare conveyancing quotes?

When comparing conveyancing quotes, don’t just focus on price, you should also consider:

Remember, the cheapest quote isn’t always the best. A reliable conveyancer can save you time, stress, and unexpected costs during your move. Find out more about comparing conveyancing quotes.

What happens to the conveyancing if the sale falls through?

While it’s unfortunate, sometimes a sale or purchase can fall through. That’s why we provide a no move, no legal fee guarantee, so you won’t pay for legal work that didn’t complete. Additionally, all your information remains stored in eWay, so if you’re selling, you won’t need to redo your initial forms or ID verification.

If your purchase falls through at no fault of your own and you find another property within three months, we will honour the conveyancing searches you’ve already paid for. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but it’s important to stay positive - as soon as you find a new buyer or seller, you’ll be able to continue your move without unnecessary extra costs or delays.

Can I do my own property conveyancing to avoid fees?

Technically, you can carry out your own conveyancing, as it isn’t a legal requirement to use a conveyancer. However, it’s highly recommended to use a professional conveyancing solicitor. Buying and selling property involves complex legal work, including creating and reviewing contracts, arranging searches, liaising with lenders and other solicitors, updating ownership with the Land Registry, and paying any stamp duty due.

Using a regulated conveyancing solicitor provides peace of mind as they have the expertise to handle all the legal and administrative tasks efficiently, ensuring everything is legally sound. While doing your own conveyancing to save money may seem tempting, if something is done incorrectly, you will be liable and mistakes can lead to costly delays, legal disputes, or even losing money. Find out more about DIY conveyancing, including the pros and cons.

Do I need a conveyancer to remortgage my property?

Yes. If you change lenders when remortgaging, you will need a conveyancer to handle the legal work. Use our remortgage conveyancing calculator today to get a personalised quote for your remortgage.

Still have questions? Check out our dedicated conveyancing fee guide.