Compare Cheap Conveyancing Solicitors
Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, and naturally, you're looking to manage your budget effectively.
When it comes to conveyancing, the lure of a cheap quote can be strong. But as a first-time buyer, understanding what "cheap" really means and how to compare conveyancing solicitors is crucial to avoid potential headaches and hidden costs down the line. Let's take a look at what you need to know.
Compare Cheap Conveyancing Solicitors
To give you a clearer picture of what's out there, we've compiled a comparison of different conveyancing quotes. These quotes are based on the purchase of a £200,000 freehold property with a mortgage as a first-time buyer.
All total prices include VAT, and remember - the headline price isn't the only thing that matters - where we had the information, the 'Description/Notes' column also indicates whether the quote includes potential supplements (additional fees) and disbursements (third-party fees). This should give you a more accurate picture when comparing the overall costs.
Competitor | Description/Notes | Total Quote |
|---|---|---|
Competitor Conveyancing Calculator (Easy Choice Conveyancing) | Description/Notes
| Total Quote £804.00 |
Competitor HomeOwners Alliance & ReallyMoving (Muve) | Description/Notes
| Total Quote £1,140.80 |
Competitor Compare Conveyancing Quotes (Stephens Wilmot Solicitors) | Description/Notes
| Total Quote £1,174.00 |
Competitor Move Home Faster | Description/Notes
| Total Quote £1,207.00 |
Competitor Zoopla (Muve) | Description/Notes
| Total Quote £1,343.09 |
Competitor SAM Conveyancing | Description/Notes
| Total Quote £1,367.00 |
Competitor Money Supermarket (Arrow, BRM Legal) | Description/Notes
| Total Quote £1,376.00 |
Competitor Easy Conveyance (KR Conveyancing) | Description/Notes
| Total Quote £1,381.90 |
Competitor Homeward Legal | Description/Notes
| Total Quote £1,423.60 |
Competitor Co Op Legal Services | Description/Notes
| Total Quote £1,482.14 |
Competitor Bird & Co Solicitors | Description/Notes
| Total Quote £2,285.00 |
What does 'Cheap Conveyancing' mean for First-Time Buyers?
As a first-time buyer, you're naturally looking for ways to save money, and the initial quotes for "cheap conveyancing" might catch your eye. You might see headline figures starting from around £800-£900 for the basic legal fees involved in buying your home.
However, as our earlier comparison of conveyancing quotes showed, the total cost can vary significantly, and those initial cheap quotes often don't tell the whole story.
Think of it like booking a flight with a budget airline. The initial fare might seem incredibly low, but when you add baggage, seat selection, and other essentials, the price can quickly climb. Similarly, some conveyancing solicitors offer a very low base fee but add charges for many standard tasks in your property purchase.
Is saving a seemingly small amount on your conveyancing really worth the risk? That rock-bottom quote might leave you wondering what corners are being cut. Will your calls be returned promptly? Will important details be missed? Could you end up facing unexpected delays and extra costs?
It's important to remember that while a higher price doesn't always guarantee better service, a significantly lower price often comes with compromises. The good news is there are ways to find a conveyancing service that offers good value for money without sacrificing the quality and speed you need for your first home.
- No Sale, No Fee (Auction, Right to Buy, and Repossession excluded).
- Initial deposit applied to your second transaction with no questions asked or time limits.
- Fixed fee quotes.
- We are on 99% of mortgage lender panels.
- We can solve any property challenge.
How to spot the hidden extras in a cheap conveyancing quote
It might seem daunting, but it's easier than you think to identify hidden costs lurking within a seemingly cheap conveyancing quote. As a first-time buyer, being aware of these can save you from unexpected bills later on:
Beware of Estimates
Insist on a Fixed Fee. Many reputable conveyancers offer fixed fee quotes, meaning the price you're quoted is the price you'll pay for the standard work.
However, some very cheap quotes might be estimates. Estimates can change (almost always upwards!), leaving you with a much higher bill than you initially expected. Always ask for a fixed fee quote to ensure cost certainty for your first purchase.
Take note of the form you fill out to get a quote - it's a good sign when the form has multiple questions to narrow down your situation as a buyer or home mover so you're getting as accurate a quote as possible.
Question Low Quotes
Check for 'included fees'. Sometimes, "cheap" quotes are low because they don't include standard fees that you'll likely have to pay anyway.
These might be listed separately as 'additional charges'. When comparing quotes, ask for a full breakdown of what's included. Below, we highlight some common fees that should ideally be covered in a comprehensive quote.
What Additional Fees should be included in a cheap conveyancing quote?
When comparing cheap conveyancing quotes, it's crucial to look beyond the initial price and understand what might be included as an 'additional fee'. Some common fees that can sometimes be charged separately include:
- Administration Fees (for general admin, printing, postage) - from £40-£100.
- ID Verification - from £10-£50.
- No Sale No Fee Protection Fees - from £50-£200.
- File Storage Fees - from £50-£100.
- Fees for using a Case Tracker - from £15-£50.
- Bank Transfer Fees (TT/CHAPS) - from £30-£80.
- Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) Filing Fees - from £50-£125.
- Mortgage Arrangement Fees - from £50-£250.
If your quote does not include any of the above, you could find your costs go up between £295 to £955.
These fees are included within SAM's fixed fee quotes. For a comprehensive breakdown of our transparent fixed fees and any potential additional charges, please visit our Fixed and Additional Fees Page.
What are the risks of low-cost conveyancing solicitors?
Would you choose the cheapest possible builder for your new home's extension without checking their credentials? For the vast majority, the answer would be a resounding 'no', because the absolute cheapest option often leads to more problems than it solves.
Similarly, with conveyancing, if a quote seems significantly lower than others, it's worth asking why. Often, very low-cost services might compromise the quality of service or the speed of the transaction.
For a first-time buyer, this could mean
- Lack of Guidance: You might not receive the level of support and explanation you need as someone new to the process.
- Communication Issues: You could experience delays in responses to your queries, leading to frustration and anxiety.
- Slower Progress: The conveyancer might be handling a very high volume of cases, meaning your transaction might not receive the attention it needs, potentially causing delays.
- Unexpected Costs: As we've discussed, very cheap quotes can sometimes come with hidden extras that end up making the overall cost much higher.
Remember, your first home purchase is likely the biggest financial commitment you'll ever make. While saving money is important, ensuring a smooth and efficient conveyancing process can save you significant stress and potential costs in the long run. The key is to find a balance between cost-effectiveness and quality service.
- Expert panel of conveyancing solicitors with local knowledge.
- Your transaction is protected by our No Sale, No Fee policy. Terms apply.
- Fixed fee conveyancing.
- We are on 99% of mortgage lender panels.
- We can solve any property challenge.
What to check when working with a 'cheap' Conveyancing Solicitor
Online Reviews
If you've received a few conveyancing quotes, look out for 1-star reviews on sites like Trustpilot, and keep an eye out for any reviews that mention Additional Fees. A rating of 4.5 and above on review sites is a good level. Be wary of any solicitors that don't have any reviews or only have reviews on their own website.
We're proud of our online reviews and offer a competitive, fixed fee conveyancing quote with Additional Fees and third-party disbursements mentioned as well. We don't compromise on quality and transparency.
First Call
When you call a solicitor, did you speak to a qualified conveyancer or solicitor? Did you speak to the same person twice? If you struggle to get through during the quote stage, be prepared for this throughout the process.
Ask about their experience with first-time buyers, enquire about who will be handling your case on a day-to-day basis, and don't be afraid to ask basic questions.
Easy-to-read Quote
Was your quote easy to read? Did it clearly state what was included and excluded in the legal fees? If it wasn't clear, then it's likely that there are hidden extras.
You want a cheap quote, but you don't want to be double-checking all the legal documents for details that are incorrect.
Avoid Conveyancing Warehouses
Conveyancing warehouse solicitors work on volume and often have hundreds of clients at any one time. This means you won't receive a personal service, and your calls and emails may not be returned promptly. This can be very frustrating when you want an update on your purchase.
You may find this working style suits you as they are all online, and you aren't interested in a 1-2-1 with your solicitor as long as the job gets done. This is the balance of a cheap conveyancing quote; keep the costs low and accept the service may be slower or not as good as if you paid more.
How do you find cheap conveyancing quotes online?
For first-time buyers starting their search, the easiest way to get a range of quotes is often through online comparison sites. These platforms allow you to enter your property details once and receive quotes from various solicitors and conveyancers.
However, as emphasised throughout this guide, don't be tempted to choose the cheapest quote you see. Remember to use the tips we've discussed – check independent online reviews, pay attention to your first call, ensure the quote is easy to read and clearly states what's included, and be cautious of firms that operate like conveyancing warehouses.
You might find the best overall option is a direct quote from firms like SAM as you'll see many comparison sites take a cut of the initial fee.
Try to ensure the quotes you're seeing provide a realistic estimate of the total cost, including VAT and likely disbursements, rather than just a very basic legal fee. This will help you make a more informed comparison.
SAM's online conveyancing quote service will provide you with a fixed fee quote backed by a no-sale, no-fee guarantee.
- Expert panel of conveyancing solicitors, with local knowledge.
- Your transaction is protected by our No Sale, No Fee policy. Terms apply.
- Fixed fee conveyancing.
- We are on 99% of mortgage lender panels.
- We can solve any property challenge.
Andrew started his career in 2000 working within conveyancing solicitor firms and grew hands-on knowledge of a wide variety of conveyancing challenges and solutions. After helping in excess of 50,000 clients in his career, he uses all this experience within his article writing for SAM, mainstream media and his self published book How to Buy a House Without Killing Anyone.
Caragh is an excellent writer and copy editor of books, news articles and editorials. She has written extensively for SAM for a variety of conveyancing, survey, property law and mortgage-related articles.
