Conveyancing fees in England and Wales: what a quote should include
How to read a conveyancing quote in England and Wales, which disbursements to expect, why fees differ between firms and cities, and the questions to ask before you instruct.
Conveyancing solicitors in England: compare fees
Buyers in England pay Stamp Duty Land Tax to HMRC once the price passes the nil-rate threshold, and first-time buyers get a higher threshold. Your solicitor or licensed conveyancer orders local authority, drainage and environmental searches, checks the title, handles the exchange of contracts and registers you as owner at HM Land Registry after completion.
Compare fees in EnglandChoose your nearest city
- Bath
- Birmingham
- Bradford
- Brighton & Hove
- Bristol
- Cambridge
- Canterbury
- Carlisle
- Chelmsford
- Chester
- Chichester
- Colchester
- Coventry
- Derby
- Doncaster
- Durham
- Ely
- Exeter
- Gloucester
- Hereford
- Hull
- Lancaster
- Leeds
- Leicester
- Lichfield
- Lincoln
- Liverpool
- London
- Manchester
- Milton Keynes
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Norwich
- Nottingham
- Oxford
- Peterborough
- Plymouth
- Portsmouth
- Preston
- Ripon
- Salford
- Salisbury
- Sheffield
- Southampton
- Southend-on-Sea
- St Albans
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Sunderland
- Truro
- Wakefield
- Wells
- Winchester
- Wolverhampton
- Worcester
- York
Frequently asked questions
How much do conveyancing solicitors in England charge?
Fees are set by each firm and vary with the work involved. Compare fixed fees side by side on Compare Legal, check what each quote includes, and make sure VAT and disbursements are in the total before you choose.
Does my conveyancer need to be based in England?
No. Any solicitor or licensed conveyancer in England and Wales can handle a purchase in England, wherever their office is. A local firm can help if you want to meet in person or the property has local quirks.
How long does conveyancing take?
A typical purchase takes 8 to 12 weeks from offer to completion. Chains, leasehold paperwork, mortgage offers and survey issues can make it longer.
What should a quote include?
The firm's own fee, VAT, and disbursements: the costs the firm pays for you, such as searches, registration fees or court fees. Ask whether the fee is fixed and what would make it go up.
Guides
Choosing a solicitor: 10 questions to ask before you instruct
What to ask a solicitor or conveyancer before you sign up, from what the fee covers to who will handle your case, so you can compare firms on more than price.
Remortgage legal fees: do you need a solicitor, and what does it cost?
When a remortgage needs a solicitor or conveyancer, how lenders' free legal packages work, and what a remortgage quote should include across the UK.