Buying or selling a house is expensive and stressful, and there is a fine line between paying too high a price for the certainty of high-quality conveyancing and not paying enough and receiving poor service.
This is particularly important when you consider that up to 10% of property sales fall through due to issues with the conveyancing process or timescales, so where do you begin? These four tips will help you:
1. Seek recommendations
The first step is to ask friends, family and acquaintances for recommendations for a conveyancer or solicitor to handle your property transaction. You could also check online reviews to narrow down a selection of companies worthy of further consideration. In this way, you will be able to get a feel for what is normal, how long the process should take, and what it is likely to cost.
2. Check that your chosen firm is qualified and insured
You are at risk of suffering significant financial losses if a problem arises during the conveyancing process and it transpires that your conveyancer is insufficiently qualified or not insured; therefore, always check your chosen firm’s credentials before instructing them to commence work on your behalf.
Licensed conveyancers are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority; what’s more, some may hold additional qualifications under the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme. Always check that your chosen conveyancer is on the Law Society’s membership database and displays in-date certification.
3. Check for cost transparency
Make sure the quote you are given is comprehensive and that all fees are clearly laid out so that you fully understand what you will need to pay in return for the services rendered. The quote should be itemised and identify fixed costs and estimates for every activity that the conveyancer will undertake on your behalf. Some online conveyancers, such as https://www.samconveyancing.co.uk/conveyancing-quote, offer a fixed fee service that can help with budgeting.
4. Trust your gut
When seeking conveyancing quotes, trust your instinct. If you are unhappy with the way in which you are treated, the timescales in which the conveyancer responds to your initial query or the competence of the people with whom you engage, take your business elsewhere. If a firm is not committed to customer service at the quotation stage, it is unlikely that it will be proactive and engaged once the conveyancing process begins. Remember that a disinterested conveyancer could cost you the property of your dreams.
By following these four tips, you will stand a good chance of securing a competent and professional conveyancer for a reasonable price to progress your property sale or purchase, helping you make your dream home a reality without breaking the bank.
