How to Compare Conveyancing Quotes Properly

Buying or selling a property is one of the biggest financial transactions most people will ever make. Understandably, many buyers and sellers start by looking for the cheapest conveyancing quote.

But comparing conveyancing solicitors purely on the headline price can be a mistake.

A £795 conveyancing quote may appear cheaper than a £1,100 quote, but if the first quote excludes several services or adds substantial fees later, the final cost could be much higher.

A proper conveyancing quote comparison should look beyond the headline figure. You need to compare what is included, which disbursements are payable, how additional work is charged, whether the solicitor is experienced with your type of transaction, and what level of service you can expect.

In this guide, we explain how to compare conveyancing quotes properly, what to look for in a solicitor’s fee estimate and the questions you should ask before instructing a conveyancing firm.

What Is a Conveyancing Quote?

A conveyancing quote is an estimate or agreed price for the legal work involved in buying, selling, remortgaging or otherwise transferring property.

A typical conveyancing quote may contain several different components:

• The solicitor’s or conveyancer’s legal fee

• VAT

• Property searches

• Land Registry fees

• Bank transfer fees

• ID and verification costs

• Stamp Duty Land Tax-related work

• Leasehold fees, where applicable

• Additional legal work

• Other third-party disbursements

The important point is that not every conveyancing quote is structured in the same way.

One firm might provide an apparently low legal fee and list numerous additional charges. Another might offer a higher headline price but include more of the work within its fixed fee.

That is why a like-for-like conveyancing comparison is essential.

Why You Shouldn’t Choose a Conveyancing Solicitor on Price Alone

Price matters, but it is only one part of the decision.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) requires regulated firms offering residential conveyancing to publish certain pricing and service information, including what is included, likely disbursements, VAT information, key stages and typical timescales. The purpose is to help consumers make informed choices and compare providers. (Solicitors Regulation Authority)

The Law Society also recommends comparing solicitors based on factors such as the services they offer, their availability and communication methods, as well as their costs. (Law Society)

This matters because conveyancing is not simply about processing paperwork.

Your solicitor may need to identify title issues, review searches, raise enquiries, communicate with the other side’s solicitor, liaise with your mortgage lender and deal with issues that could affect the transaction.

A cheap solicitor who is difficult to contact may ultimately be more expensive in terms of time, stress and delays.

How to Compare Conveyancing Quotes

When comparing conveyancing quotes, use the same criteria for every solicitor.

Here are the key areas to check.

1. Compare the Total Cost, Not Just the Legal Fee

The first mistake people make is comparing only the solicitor’s basic fee.

For example:

Illustrative figures only. Actual conveyancing costs vary depending on the transaction.

In this example, the solicitor with the higher legal fee could actually provide the lower overall cost.

When conducting a conveyancing quote comparison, ask each firm for the anticipated total cost, including VAT and likely disbursements.

The SRA’s transparency requirements state that firms should provide the total cost where possible, or an average or range where a precise total is not practicable. They should also explain the basis of charges and likely disbursements. (Solicitors Regulation Authority)

2. Check Exactly What Is Included

Never assume that two quotes cover exactly the same work.

Read the quote carefully and look for phrases such as:

• “Not included”

• “Additional charges may apply”

• “Subject to…”

• “From £…”

• “Additional legal work charged at…”

• “Third-party costs excluded”

Ask the solicitor to confirm whether the quoted fee covers:

• Reviewing the contract

• Reviewing the title

• Raising enquiries

• Reviewing search results

• Liaising with your mortgage lender

• Exchange of contracts

• Completion

• Land Registry registration

• Stamp Duty Land Tax return, where applicable

• Dealing with standard lender requirements

• Acting for you throughout the transaction

The SRA specifically requires regulated firms to explain services included in their displayed price and services that might reasonably be expected to be included but are not. (Solicitors Regulation Authority)

3. Understand Disbursements

Disbursements are payments made to third parties as part of your conveyancing transaction.

They can include costs associated with:

• Property searches

• Land Registry services

• Stamp Duty Land Tax

• Land Registry registration

• Bank transfers

• Management information for leasehold properties

• Certain certificates or reports

These costs should not automatically be treated as part of the solicitor’s legal fee.

For example, HM Land Registry publishes separate fees for searches and official copies, and its fees can vary depending on the service and application method. (GOV.UK)

When comparing quotes, ask:

“Which costs are your legal fees and which are third-party disbursements?”

You should also check whether the quoted disbursement is an exact fee, an estimate or a typical cost.

4. Check Whether VAT Is Included

VAT can make a noticeable difference to the final bill.

A conveyancing quote should make clear whether VAT is included and, where applicable, the amount or percentage of VAT payable. (Solicitors Regulation Authority)

For example, if a solicitor quotes a legal fee of £1,000 plus VAT, the legal fee payable would be £1,200 at a 20% VAT rate.

So don’t compare:

£900 + VAT

with:

£1,050 including VAT

as though they were directly comparable.

Always convert quotes into the same format.

5. Look for Additional Conveyancing Fees

This is one of the most important parts of a conveyancing quote comparison.

Some transactions are more complicated than others, and additional charges may apply.

Potential additional fees can include charges for:

• Leasehold properties

• New-build properties

• Shared ownership

• Help to Buy-related work

• Buy-to-let purchases

• Islamic mortgages

• Multiple owners

• Gifted deposits

• Unregistered property

• Transfer of equity

• Second homes

• Properties being purchased at auction

• Complex title issues

• Additional bank transfers

• Indemnity policies

• Defective title issues

The SRA’s conveyancing guidance recognises that factors such as defective or unregistered title, missing planning or building regulation documentation and additional work can affect the overall cost. (Solicitors Regulation Authority)

If you already know your property has an unusual feature, tell the solicitor before accepting the quote.

A quote for a straightforward freehold purchase may not apply to a complicated leasehold or shared-ownership transaction.

6. Freehold and Leasehold Conveyancing Quotes Are Not the Same

One of the biggest differences when comparing conveyancing quotes is whether the property is freehold or leasehold.

Leasehold transactions can involve additional work because your solicitor may need to review matters such as:

• The lease

• Ground rent

• Service charges

• Remaining lease term

• Restrictions

• Management company information

• Landlord requirements

• Notices

• Leasehold enquiries

Some firms charge a separate leasehold supplement.

Others include leasehold work in their standard quote.

Therefore, if you are buying a leasehold flat, don’t compare your quote with a standard freehold quote without checking what is included.

7. Ask How Additional Work Is Charged

A “fixed fee” does not necessarily mean that every possible piece of legal work is included.

Ask:

“If something unexpected comes up, how will you charge me for the additional work?”

The solicitor may use:

• A fixed additional fee

• An hourly rate

• A menu of additional charges

• A revised estimate

Find out the applicable rates before you instruct the firm.

The SRA states that firms should provide information about the basis of their charges, including hourly rates or fixed fees where relevant. (Solicitors Regulation Authority)

A transparent quote should make it easier to understand what could cause the price to increase.

8. Check What Happens If the Sale Falls Through

If you are selling a property, ask what happens if the transaction does not complete.

Some firms may charge a fee for work carried out if the sale falls through, while others may operate a “no completion, no fee” arrangement subject to their terms.

The Law Society specifically advises sellers to check what they will have to pay if a sale does not go through. (Law Society)

This is an important question to ask before instructing a solicitor.

9. Compare Communication and Service Levels

The cheapest conveyancing solicitor isn’t necessarily the best conveyancing solicitor.

Before choosing a firm, find out:

• Who will handle your case?

• Will you have a named conveyancer?

• Can you speak directly to them?

• How quickly do they normally respond?

• Can you communicate by telephone and email?

• Do they provide an online case tracker?

• Are there separate teams for different stages?

• What are their office opening hours?

• Will someone be available when your transaction is approaching exchange or completion?

The Law Society suggests considering practical factors such as opening hours and whether the solicitor provides online or text updates when comparing firms. (Law Society)

For many buyers and sellers, good communication is worth paying slightly more for.

10. Check the Solicitor’s Experience

Experience is particularly important if your transaction is not straightforward.

For a standard freehold purchase, you may have many suitable options.

But if you are dealing with:

• A leasehold property

• A new-build

• Shared ownership

• A gifted deposit

• A buy-to-let purchase

• A property with title problems

• A property with unusual restrictions

• A complicated chain

ask the firm how often it handles similar transactions.

SRA transparency requirements also include information about the experience and qualifications of people carrying out the work and their supervisors. (Solicitors Regulation Authority)

What Is a Good Conveyancing Quote?

A good conveyancing quote is not necessarily the cheapest quote.

Instead, it should be:

Clear + comprehensive + transparent + appropriate for your transaction.

Ideally, you should be able to understand:

1. The solicitor’s basic legal fee.

2. VAT.

3. Expected disbursements.

4. What services are included.

5. What services are excluded.

6. Potential additional charges.

7. How unexpected work will be billed.

8. What happens if the transaction falls through.

9. Who will handle the transaction.

10. The likely timescale.

If you cannot understand the quote without repeatedly calling the firm for clarification, that may itself be useful information when assessing the firm’s communication style.

The Cheapest Conveyancing Quote Is Not Always the Cheapest

Imagine you receive three quotes:

Firm A: £750
Firm B: £950
Firm C: £1,100

At first glance, Firm A appears to be the obvious choice.

But after checking the quotes, you discover:

• Firm A charges extra for leasehold work.

• Firm A charges separately for certain bank transfers.

• Firm A charges for additional work at an hourly rate.

• Firm B includes most routine work.

• Firm C includes a wider range of services and has a dedicated case handler.

The real comparison could look very different.

This is why the objective should not be to find the cheapest conveyancing quote.

It should be to find the best-value conveyancing solicitor for your transaction.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Conveyancing Solicitor

Before accepting a quote, consider asking the following:

About the price

• Is this a fixed fee?

• Is VAT included?

• What is the expected total cost?

• Which disbursements are included?

• Which disbursements are estimates?

• Are there any additional fees I should know about?

About the transaction

• Does this quote apply to my specific property?

• Is the property freehold or leasehold?

• Are there charges for acting for my mortgage lender?

• Are searches included?

• Is Land Registry registration included?

• Is the Stamp Duty Land Tax return included?

About additional work

• What happens if a title problem is discovered?

• How are additional legal fees calculated?

• What is your hourly rate?

• Are there standard supplements for leasehold or new-build properties?

About service

• Who will handle my file?

• How will I receive updates?

• Can I contact the conveyancer directly?

• How quickly do you normally respond?

• Do you offer an online case tracker?

If you are selling

• What happens if the sale falls through?

• Will I have to pay anything if the transaction does not complete?

These questions can reveal differences between firms that aren’t obvious from the initial quote.

Conveyancing Quote Comparison Checklist

Before choosing your solicitor, compare:

Legal fee

VAT

Search fees

Land Registry fees

Other disbursements

Leasehold supplements

Mortgage/lender fees

Bank transfer fees

Additional work rates

Fall-through fees

What’s included

What’s excluded

Communication options

Experience

Likely timescale

Regulatory status and protections

The goal is to create a genuine like-for-like conveyancing comparison.

Should You Use an Online Conveyancing Comparison Service?

Online comparison services can make it easier to obtain multiple conveyancing quotes quickly.

They can be particularly useful if you want to compare:

• Conveyancing fees

• Service packages

• Fixed-fee options

• Online communication

• Different types of conveyancing firms

However, don’t assume that the first result is automatically the best option.

Use the comparison service as a starting point, then investigate the individual solicitor’s quote carefully.

The SRA has previously found that consumers are interested in shopping around for conveyancing, including using comparison websites, while also highlighting the importance of having enough information about price and service to make an informed choice. (Solicitors Regulation Authority)

How Many Conveyancing Quotes Should You Compare?

There is no magic number, but comparing three or more genuinely comparable quotes can give you a useful picture of the market.

Rather than collecting ten nearly identical quotes, focus on obtaining several detailed quotes from firms that:

• Handle your type of property

• Are appropriately regulated

• Clearly explain their fees

• Provide transparent terms

• Offer a service level that suits you

This allows you to compare both price and value.

Red Flags When Comparing Conveyancing Solicitors

Be cautious if:

The quote looks unusually cheap

A low price isn’t automatically bad, but find out why it is lower.

The quote is vague

If you cannot determine what you are actually paying for, ask for clarification.

There are lots of unspecified extras

“Additional charges may apply” should prompt you to ask exactly what could trigger them.

The firm is difficult to contact

If communication is poor before you become a client, consider how it might be during a time-sensitive property transaction.

The solicitor cannot explain the quote

You should be able to get a straightforward explanation of the fees.

The quote doesn’t match your transaction

A generic quote for a standard freehold property may not be appropriate for a leasehold, new-build or shared-ownership purchase.

What Does a Conveyancing Solicitor Actually Do?

Understanding the work involved can also help you assess whether a quote represents good value.

Depending on whether you are buying or selling, your conveyancer may:

• Review legal documents

• Check the property’s title

• Review searches

• Raise enquiries

• Deal with the other side’s solicitor

• Liaise with your mortgage lender

• Review the contract

• Advise you before exchange

• Arrange completion

• Transfer funds

• Deal with Stamp Duty Land Tax requirements

• Register your ownership with HM Land Registry

The exact scope depends on your transaction and the solicitor’s terms.

Final Thoughts: How to Compare Conveyancing Solicitors Properly

A proper conveyancing quote comparison goes much further than comparing two headline prices.

Look at the total expected cost, not simply the basic legal fee. Check VAT, disbursements and additional charges. Make sure the quote matches your property and transaction. Find out what happens if complications arise or the transaction falls through.

Then consider the service itself.

A conveyancing solicitor should provide clear information about costs and services, and regulated firms offering residential conveyancing are subject to SRA transparency requirements designed to help consumers compare providers. (Solicitors Regulation Authority)

Ultimately, the best conveyancing solicitor is not necessarily the cheapest.

It is the firm that offers the right combination of competitive conveyancing fees, transparent pricing, relevant experience and reliable communication.

So before choosing your conveyancer, don’t just ask:

“Who is cheapest?”

Ask:

“What will I actually pay, what does that include, and what service am I getting for the money?”

That is the foundation of a genuinely useful conveyancing quote comparison.