What Does ‘Fixed Fee’ Conveyancing Actually Include and Exclude?

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Fixed-fee conveyancing means the service will not be paid on an hourly basis. Buyers and sellers will pay a specific fee for the conveyancing service provided from instruction to completion. 

That means no matter how long it takes to complete the conveyancing process, you will pay the same fee quoted to you. 

It sounds simple since you only have to look at one price. However, there are two things you have to consider. 

• The fixed fee is the professional legal fee of the conveyancer.  

• The fixed fee is only one part of what you have to pay. 

Before you agree to work with a conveyancing firm, ask for transparency. Muve’s commitment to transparency ensures all initial conveyancing quotes are detailed. Both legal and disbursement fees are clearly stated and itemised. 

Get the details of the fixed fee, what’s included, and what’s excluded. This will help you budget properly and get ready for any unexpected and unavoidable add-ons. 

What does the fixed legal fee include? 

The fixed-fee conveyancing quote covers the professional legal work performed by a conveyancing solicitor. With Muve, the tasks included in our service are the following: 

Drafting and reviewing contracts 

Our conveyancer will draft and review the property sale contract, ensuring it reflects the agreed terms between the buyer and the seller. They will also ensure that all legal provisions are in place and that the contract protects your interests.

Liaising with the other party’s solicitor 

The conveyancer will handle all the back-and-forth communication between all parties involved. This includes discussing contact details and clauses, raising concerns, responding to enquiries, and ensuring both sides are clear on the conditions before the exchange. 

Handling all communication and correspondence 

Emails, phone calls, letters, and updates are constantly exchanged among solicitors, estate agents, mortgage brokers, and lenders. Muve conveyancers are trained to ensure responses are sent within 24 to 48 hours to keep the transaction moving. 

You’ll also get a dedicated account manager who will update you on the property transaction’s current progress. 

Managing legal paperwork from instruction to completion 

The conveyancer is tasked with handling all formal and legal documents required for exchange and completion. This includes ensuring the correct documents are legally accurate and available at the right stage of the property transaction. 

Dealing with the mortgage lender 

Conveyancing solicitors are also involved in dealing with the mortgage lender. For buyers using a mortgage, the conveyancer handles the mortgage offer and verifies it. They also make sure the lender’s conditions are met. They provide reports on the title and ensure funds are released upon completion. 

In fixed-fee conveyancing, all core tasks will be completed, regardless of how long it takes. Whether it takes long or is cut short, you will be billed the same quoted amount. 

With Muve, our fixed-fee conveyancing service is provided by a dedicated account manager to handle communications and an experienced conveyancer with local expertise to reduce delays in the process. The faster the conveyancing timeline, the fewer the chances of costly delays. This is why we also offer Muve Lightspeed, which aims to exchange within 5 to 8 weeks (freehold and leasehold properties, respectively). 

What does the fixed fee exclude? 

All disbursement fees are third-party costs that are paid by the conveyancer on your behalf. The costs vary depending on factors such as property type, location, lender requirements, etc. 

Among the disbursements are the following:  

• Property search costs. This is payment for various searches, including local authority, environmental, and water/drainage searches. 

• Land Registry fees. These are paid to the HM Land Registry to update the property’s ownership records after completion. 

• Stamp Duty Land Tax. This is a government tax imposed on purchased properties that are above certain thresholds. 

• Bank transfer fees. This is the charge for transferring large sums of money upon completion. 

• Identification checks. This pays for checks on electronic IDs and anti-money laundering assessments. These are required by law. 

All these costs are paid separately. Conveyancing quotes should itemise these separately so you can budget accordingly for the payments. 

Additional legal work that a fixed fee may not cover 

Depending on the property transaction, there may be instances when extra services beyond the core tasks are required to ensure completion. These require extra time and sometimes a specific expertise. 

Examples include (but are not limited to): 

• Unregistered land. This would require a more thorough investigation. 

• Leasehold complexities. This would require a review of management packs, lease terms, ground rent, service charges, etc. It would also involve liaising with more people (e.g., leasehold management). 

• Property chains. This would involve more people and additional layers in the property transaction, leading to more work in communication and correspondence. 

• Title defects. These may require indemnity policies and complex negotiations. 

Although conveyancing quotes should be as accurate as possible, uncontrollable factors may require additional services and steps. If these incur additional costs, a reputable conveyancer should duly inform you of the changes immediately so you are prepared to shoulder the fees. 

Muve’s Commitment to Transparency 

At Muve, our fixed-fee conveyancing service is backed by a commitment to transparency. Our initial conveyancing quote will detail the services that you will get. You’ll get a clear idea of what is included or excluded. 

We’ll separate the legal fees and disbursements, so you know how much conveyancing will cost from the start. You can also ask us for potential supplementary fees that might arise as the property transaction is completed. 

The detailed breakdown will allow you to budget and prepare your funds. In case unavoidable situations incur additional fees, you will be informed immediately with an explanation of why it’s necessary. This will help you adjust your funds and keep your finances from falling short. 

If you want to know more about our conveyancing service, click to get a quote. You’ll be asked to provide basic details, and once submitted, we’ll provide you with an itemised conveyancing quote within a minute. 

FAQs: Fixed-Fee Conveyancing Quote

What does a fixed-fee conveyancing quote cover?

Muve’s fixed-fee conveyancing quote covers the following services: 

• Writing and reviewing contracts 
• Cooperating with the other party’s solicitor 
• Handling all communication and correspondence 
• Overseeing legal paperwork from instruction to completion 
• Dealing with the mortgage lender 

The service fee also includes support from a dedicated account manager (who will provide regular updates) and access to multiple digital tools, such as a 24/7 online Client Portal, automated ID checks, e-signatures, and AI risk detection. 

What’s not included in a fixed-fee conveyancing quote?

Fixed-fee conveyancing usually does not include disbursement fees such as Land Registry fees, Stamp Duty Land Tax (if applicable), property searches, bank transfer fees, ID checks, etc. The client will pay these third-party costs through the conveyancer. 

Ask the conveyancer for a breakdown of these charges to help you prepare for the expense. 

Are there situations where additional legal fees apply?

Yes, some property transactions involve extra work that’s not considered standard conveyancing—and these may incur additional costs. This includes unregistered land, complex property chains, leasehold reviews, title defects, and special indemnity policies. 

Muve will notify you immediately if any extra work is identified, so you’re aware of the additional costs. 

How does Muve ensure transparency in fixed-fee conveyancing?

Muve provides an itemised conveyancing quote that separates the legal fees from the disbursements. Clients are also informed upfront of any additional costs along the way. 

If additional fees are incurred along the way, the client will be informed immediately, and the reason for any difference from the quoted cost will be explained.