Comparing Conveyancing Quotes in 2026

Short answer: how do you choose a conveyancer?

Choose a conveyancer by comparing what each quote actually includes, not just the headline legal fee. Check that the quote shows the legal fee, likely disbursements and whether VAT is included. Confirm the firm is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), and ask how the firm communicates and what happens if the sale or purchase does not go ahead.

Key takeaways

• You can change conveyancer if things go wrong, but it is easier before exchange of contracts. See when and how to switch conveyancers.
• Both regulators require firms to publish clear pricing. Under the SRA transparency rules and the CLC price and service transparency rules, firms doing residential conveyancing must show a total cost (or an average or range), likely disbursements, whether VAT is included, and the key stages with typical timescales.
• Solicitors and licensed conveyancers both carry out the same conveyancing work. The difference is the regulator, not the job. Both routes lead to the Legal Ombudsman if a complaint is not resolved.
• Online, local and high street firms can all do a good job. Compare communication, tracking, experience and fee terms rather than assuming one model is better.
  You can change conveyancer if things go wrong, but it is easier before exchange of contracts. See when and how to switch conveyancers.

In this guide

1. What a conveyancing quote should include
2. How to compare quotes like for like
3. Hidden costs and extras to look out for
4. Online vs local conveyancers
5. Solicitor vs licensed conveyancer
6. How to judge service quality
7. First-time buyer conveyancing
8. Changing conveyancers
9. Questions to ask before you instruct
10. FAQs

What should a conveyancing quote include?

A clear conveyancing quote has three parts: the legal fee, disbursements and VAT. If any of these is missing or vague, you cannot compare it properly with another quote.

1. The legal fee. This is what the firm charges for its own work. It may be a fixed fee or an hourly rate. Both the SRA and the CLC expect firms to give a total cost where possible, or an average or range, and to say whether fees are fixed or hourly.

2. Disbursements. These are costs the conveyancer pays to third parties on your behalf, then passes on to you. Common examples on a purchase are:

• Local authority, drainage and environmental searches
• HM Land Registry registration fees, which depend on the property price
• Electronic bank transfer fees
• Identity and anti-money laundering checks
• Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) paid to HMRC, which is a tax and is not part of the conveyancer’s fee

3. VAT. Legal fees normally attract VAT, and some third-party costs can too. A good quote says clearly whether the figures shown include or exclude VAT.

Firms should also set out what the price covers and what it does not, along with the key stages of the work and typical timescales. If the quote does not say, ask.

How do you compare conveyancing quotes like for like?

Compare quotes by putting the same items side by side, then adding them up. A low legal fee can end up costing more once disbursements, VAT and extras are added, so always compare the total.

A simple way to do it: ask each firm for a written quote for the same property, price and mortgage position, then add legal fee, disbursements and VAT into one total. Compare the totals, then compare the service.

What hidden costs and extras should you look out for?

The most common hidden costs are extras that are not in the headline fee but apply to your situation. None of these are unusual, but you should know about them before you instruct, not after.

• Leasehold or new build supplement. Leasehold purchases involve extra paperwork, such as reviewing the lease and dealing with the freeholder or managing agent. Many firms charge more for this.
• Mortgage supplement. Acting for your lender is often an added fee.
• Gifted deposit or help to buy checks. Extra evidence and declarations may be needed.
• Management pack and notice fees. On leasehold properties, third parties can charge for the information the conveyancer requests. These are set by them, not by your conveyancer.
• Urgent or fast-track fees. If you need to move quickly, check whether a speed upgrade costs extra and what it actually covers.
• Fees if the transaction does not complete. Some firms charge for work done if a sale or purchase falls through, some do not. Ask for this in writing.
• Stamp Duty Land Tax. SDLT is a tax, not a conveyancing fee, but it can be a large cost on your completion statement. First-time buyers pay no SDLT up to £300,000 and 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000, with no relief above £500,000, according to GOV.UK. Your conveyancer files the return and the payment, normally within 14 days of completion, but they do not advise on the amount of tax payable or reliefs. For that, speak to a tax adviser.

A fixed fee does not always mean a fixed total. Always ask which of the above could apply to you.

Online vs local conveyancer: which is right for you?

Neither is automatically better. An online conveyancer is usually a regulated firm that works mainly by phone, email and a digital case portal. A local conveyancer is usually a high street firm you can visit in person. Both must meet the same regulatory standards for their type of firm.

The label matters less than the answers to a few practical questions. Who will actually handle your file? How will you get updates? Is the fee clear? Is the firm regulated, and can you check this on the SRA register or the CLC register? Physical location rarely affects the legal work, because searches, the Land Registry and most communication now happen electronically.

Solicitor vs licensed conveyancer: what is the difference?

Both can handle your house purchase or sale. A solicitor is regulated by the SRA and can work across many areas of law. A licensed conveyancer is regulated by the CLC and specialises in property law, with some also offering wills and probate. According to Legal Choices, licensed conveyancers are specialist property lawyers regulated by the CLC in England and Wales.

If something goes wrong, the route is the same for both. Raise it with your conveyancer, make a formal complaint to the firm if that does not fix it, then contact the Legal Ombudsman. As a general rule, you must bring a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman within one year of the problem, or of when you should have realised there was one, and within six months of the firm’s final response, according to DAC Beachcroft’s summary of the scheme rules. Check the Ombudsman’s own site for the latest limits.

One practical difference is that the CLC allows a firm to act for both sides of a transaction in limited cases with informed written consent, while the SRA generally does not, as Legal Futures explains. For most buyers the more important question is not the badge, but the people on your file and how clearly they communicate.

How can you judge conveyancing service quality before you instruct?

You can judge service quality by checking who will do the work, how they will keep you informed, and what other clients say. Price tells you what you pay, not how the transaction will feel.

• Regulation. Check the firm on the SRA register or the CLC register.
• People. Look for named individuals and their qualifications and experience, not just “our team”. The SRA expects firms to publish this, and the CLC encourages it.
• Communication. Ask how often you will get updates, who to contact, and how quickly calls and emails are answered. A live case tracker helps you see progress without chasing.
• Reviews. Read recent reviews on independent sites such as Trustpilot and Google, and look for patterns about communication and speed rather than single comments.
• Timescales. Be wary of firms that guarantee a completion date. Many things affect timing, including the other side of the chain. The Land Registry, searches and other parties are outside any one firm’s control. Ask for realistic targets and the typical stages.
• Complaints. Ask how the firm handles complaints and whether it will tell you about the Legal Ombudsman if you are not satisfied.

A cheaper quote from a firm that is hard to reach can cost more in time and stress than a slightly higher one with clear communication.

What should first-time buyers know about conveyancing?

First-time buyers should ask for a full written quote early, understand the stages, and budget for costs beyond the legal fee. Conveyancing can feel unfamiliar, so clear communication matters more than usual.

• Know the stages. In simple terms: instruct your conveyancer, receive the draft contract, run searches, raise questions, deal with your mortgage offer, exchange contracts, then complete. Ask your conveyancer to explain the stages and what you need to do at each one.
• Budget for the whole bill. Include the legal fee, disbursements, VAT and any SDLT. First-time buyers pay no SDLT up to £300,000 and 5% on the portion between £300,001 and £500,000, with no relief above £500,000, per GOV.UK.
• Tell your conveyancer about your mortgage early. Lenders usually have a panel of approved firms, so check yours is acceptable before you instruct.
• Understand the timing. Contracts are not binding until exchange. Before exchange, either side can usually pull out. After exchange, you are committed, so ask all your questions before then.
• Ask what is not covered. Conveyancers do not advise on matters such as the condition of the property or whether the mortgage suits you. A survey and independent mortgage advice sit alongside conveyancing.

For a plain-language start, see Muve’s guide for first-time buyers.

Can you change conveyancer, and what does it cost?

Yes, you can change conveyancer during a transaction. It is easier and cheaper earlier on, and usually best avoided after exchange of contracts, because a delay could put your completion date at risk. See Muve’s guide to when and how to switch conveyancers.

Typical steps

1. Try raising your concerns with your current conveyancer, and use their complaints procedure if needed.
2. Choose a new conveyancer and check they are on your lender’s panel if you have a mortgage.
3. Ask your current firm for a file closure, a cost breakdown and a final invoice.
4. Sign a form of authority so the new firm can request your file.
5. Tell your estate agent and lender about the change.

What to expect on cost and timing. You may have to pay your old firm for work already done, including disbursements it has paid for you, and the old firm may hold your file until you do, according to the Home Owners Alliance. A new firm cannot rely on the previous firm’s checks and may need to repeat some work, which can add cost and time. Ask the new firm what they will charge for taking over a case in progress.

If a firm closes during your transaction, its regulator may step in and hold files until you appoint a new firm.

What should you ask a conveyancer before you instruct?

Before you instruct, ask these questions and get the answers in writing. They take a few minutes and can save a lot of confusion later.

1. Are you regulated by the SRA or the CLC, and what is your firm number?
2. Is your quote a fixed fee, and does it include VAT?
3. Which disbursements are included, and which are estimates?
4. Does my property type (leasehold, new build, shared ownership) change the price?
5. Are there extra charges for my mortgage, gifted deposit or other circumstances?
6. What would I pay if the sale or purchase does not go ahead?
7. Who will handle my file, and who is their supervisor?
8. How will I get updates, and how fast do you reply?
9. What are the typical timescales for each stage?
10. Are you on my lender’s panel?
11. How do I complain, and when can I go to the Legal Ombudsman?

A firm that answers these clearly and in writing is usually a good sign.

How Muve can help

Muve is a CLC-regulated conveyancing firm (CLC firm number 2774) that works online, with a dedicated account manager and a case tracker so you can see where your transaction is. We publish our fees, so you can compare us like for like using the checklist above.

If you are already mid-transaction and thinking of switching, read our guide to when and how to switch conveyancers. To get a quote, request one from Muve.

This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. For tax, survey and mortgage questions, speak to the relevant independent professional.

Sources

• SRA: Price and service transparency
• Legal Futures: CLC price and service transparency rules approved
• Legal Choices: Licensed conveyancers
• Legal Futures: Choosing the right regulator for conveyancing
• DAC Beachcroft: Legal Ombudsman scheme rule changes from 1 April 2023
• Home Owners Alliance: Changing solicitors mid-purchase
• GOV.UK: Stamp Duty Land Tax residential rates
• GOV.UK: HM Land Registry registration fees
• Muve: When and how to switch conveyancers

About this article 

This guide was written by Team Muve and checked against guidance from GOV.UK, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Muve is a conveyancing firm regulated by the CLC (firm number 2774), acting for buyers and sellers across England and Wales.
Last updated 11 November 2026.

This article is reviewed periodically to reflect changes in UK conveyancing practice. It is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.