How Much Are Solicitors’ Fees for Buying a House 

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Key Takeaways: 

• Solicitor fees range from £1,000 to £2,000, depending on the property’s transaction complexity, price, location and type. 

• A solicitor’s job includes handling legal checks, searches, money transfers and contracts to ensure the homebuying process is legally sound and compliant. 

• The final bill is usually comprised of the solicitor’s legal fee, disbursements, and VAT. 

• Unexpected charges can occur, especially when legal requirements were not identifiable at the time of quotation. While unavoidable, solicitors should maintain transparency by promptly updating buyers. 

• Choose the right solicitor by requiring complete transparency so property buyers understand what they are paying for. Compare quotations and request a complete fee breakdown before making a decision. 

Muve offers fast conveyancing through our digital-first model. Our transparent fixed legal fees have no hidden costs and include a dedicated conveyancing solicitor, an account manager, a 24/7 online client portal (for real-time case tracking), and accelerated services like Muve Lightspeed to achieve a 5-8 week conveyancing timeline. 

Solicitors’ fees for buying a house in England and Wales 

Did you know: 

UK solicitor fees range from £1,000 to £2,000, with the final price influenced by factors such as property type, location and transaction complexity. 

What does this tell you? Solicitors’ fees vary because there are several factors affecting the legal transfer of a property’s ownership. If you want to make sure you’re getting the best value, familiarise yourself with the details of the payments you’re making. With homebuying being a costly purchase, you want to be wise with your finances to ensure you won’t fall short in the end. 

The Role of Solicitors in the Home Buying Process 

Before you go deeper into the fees paid to solicitors, ask yourself – do you really need a solicitor? 

For transparency’s sake, we’ll let you know that you can handle the legal aspects of the transaction yourself. You’re not mandated to hire a property solicitor to deem a homebuying transaction as a legal one. 

However, you must also know that buying a house involves several steps, transactions, and entities. At times, it can be a complex and confusing process. Given the amount of money involved, most homebuyers prefer to use a solicitor because it ensures that everything is done correctly and, more importantly, legally. 

More than that, if you intend to use a mortgage to pay for the property, lenders would require you to use a solicitor. 

Solicitors make sure the legal requirements of the home-buying process are met while keeping transactions smooth, safe, and secure. 

What exactly can a solicitor do on your behalf? 

Legal checks 

First, they can conduct legal checks to ensure the property is clean. That means the seller is the valid owner of the property and that it has no pending legal issues, such as disputes or unpaid debts. 

There are ways to expedite this process to minimise costs. Innovative conveyancing firms like Muve use AI technology to quickly check that properties are clean before buyers proceed with the transaction. 

Property search 

Solicitors can also help with property searches. This is how they’ll identify potential issues you might face as the new owner of the property. For instance, the building may violate a local regulation. Or there’s a flooding risk in the area, which will lower the property’s value. 

Contracts and Documents 

Any contract needed to complete the property transaction will also go through the solicitor. They’ll either write the draft or review a contract from the seller to ensure the terms won’t put you (the buyer) in a compromising position. They’ll also explain to you the obligations, rights and conditions indicated in the contract. For instance, they can define specific lease terms in leasehold transactions or identify new-build warranties or complex titles. 

The contract is not the only document the solicitor will go through on your behalf. They will handle the paperwork involved in the home-buying process. This includes the official documents needed to transfer ownership of the property to you. They’ll ensure the documents are legally correct and submitted to the appropriate parties. 

Money transfers 

Finally, solicitors will also oversee any money transfer involved in the process of buying a house. This includes the transfer of the payment to the fees paid towards the land registry, stamp duty, etc. 

A Breakdown of Solicitor Fees 

Now that you know what solicitors do, it’s not surprising that their fees could reach £2,000 on average. Some will ask you to pay a fixed amount, while others will charge a percentage of the transaction. 

For the payment terms, some solicitors will ask for a 10% down payment up front. The remaining payment can be made after a successful sale. Other solicitors will ask you to pay small amounts throughout the home-buying process. 

To help you understand what is covered, here’s a breakdown of the costs included in the overall amount you’ll pay. 

• Basic fee (£400-£1,000+). This refers to the professional service fee of the solicitor for their expertise in handling the legal checks, documentation and negotiations on your behalf. The final price paid will depend on the complexity of the process. The more work is required, the higher the rate. 

• Disbursements (£300-£1,000+). These are fees the solicitor will pay on your behalf. This includes Land Registry fees, bank transfers, search fees, etc. 

• VAT (20%). It’s a tax you are mandated to pay for services in the UK, so this is added to the basic fee and disbursements. It’s a percentage of the overall costs. So, if the total solicitor’s fees reach £1,000, a VAT of £200 will be added, making your total £1,200. 

Factors Influencing Solicitors’ Fees 

Several factors influence the amount a solicitor will charge you for their services. Knowing what these factors are will help you choose the best solicitor to meet your needs and stay within your budget. 

• Property value. The higher the value, the more complex it will be to process, primarily due to the legal work involved. A £1 million home will cost more to process than a £250,000 property because it’ll require a more thorough examination. 

• Property type. This also affects the complexity of the home-buying process, and in effect, the solicitor’s fee. Freehold properties are simpler to process, so they won’t cost as much as leasehold properties (which require reviewing service charges, lease terms, ground rent, etc.) Other complexities to consider include properties with shared ownership or transactions under the Help to Buy scheme. The overall fees will be higher because processing will take longer. 

• Location. Some areas may require distinct legal processes and requirements. This can influence the work that solicitors will take on. If the location requires additional checks or has higher local search fees, these can boost the solicitor’s fees. 

• Type of service. Online conveyancing may be more cost-effective due to lower overhead costs. In-person services offer a personal touch, but they charge more. 

• Additional services. For instance, if the property you want to acquire is in the midst of a legal dispute, you can ask the solicitor to handle it for you. This will lead to additional charges. 

Find the Best Solicitor in England and Wales 

Now that you have a clearer understanding of solicitors’ fees, you’ll have the information needed to find the right solicitor. When you’re talking to professionals and asking for quotes, make sure you get the details. Scrutinise the fees involved and the factors influencing them. These will allow you to get the best service that matches the value of what you’re paying for. 

If you’re looking for a solicitor to help you buy a property in England and Wales, choose a firm that’s not just trusted to deliver. Make sure they’re experienced and can help you complete a transaction as quickly as possible. 

Muve is a firm specialising in fast, efficient conveyancing. We use a digital-first approach, combining it with local expertise from a dedicated team. We offer quick conveyancing services, including Muve’s Lightspeed, an upgrade service that aims to achieve an exchange in 5 to 8 weeks (for freehold and leasehold properties, respectively). 

Contact us to discuss our services and how we can support you during the homebuying process. Get your free conveyancing quote within a minute. 

FAQs Solicitors’ Fees for Buying a House

Are solicitor fees different in England and Wales?

Solicitor fees are similar across England and Wales. However, there are local search costs and council fees that vary by location. This can affect disbursement costs. 

Why do solicitor fees differ by location?

Local authorities set property search fees, and they sometimes use different factors and timelines to determine them. 

Suppose you are buying in a location with complex building and planning histories, or in certain councils where local authority searches are slow. In that case, this can affect the final solicitor fees you have to pay. 

Is online conveyancing cheaper than traditional local solicitors?

Often, online conveyancing solicitors have lower overhead costs, which reduces their fees. However, it’s still essential for home buyers to look for a conveyancing service with local expertise to ensure a smooth, legally sound property transaction. 

Look for an online conveyancing firm like Muve that offers local expertise, swift completions through a digital-first approach, and transparent pricing. With Muve’s Lightspeed upgrade service, we aim to complete within 5 to 8 weeks. 

How can I choose the right solicitor when buying a house?

Ask for a detailed conveyancing quote. A full breakdown includes: 

• Basic legal fees (including the tasks involved) 
• Disbursements (local searches, Land Registry fees, Stamp Duty Land Taxes) 
• VAT 
• Potential extras for complex transactions, such as leasehold and new build properties. 

The full breakdown will help you plan your budget and identify hidden fees so you can dispute them when the final bill arrives.