Cheap conveyancing can look attractive, but the initial quote often only covers the solicitor’s legal fee. Extra costs like searches, Land Registry fees, and bank transfers are usually added later, making the final bill higher than expected.
Some firms also advertise low prices by offering a no sale no fee guarantee, which waives legal fees if your transaction falls through, but disbursements you’ve already paid for won’t be refunded.
In this guide, we’ll break down what cheap conveyancing really includes, the hidden costs to watch out for, and whether online conveyancing could be the right choice for you.
Should I Use a Cheap Conveyancer?
Before accepting a cheap conveyancing quote, it’s important to read the breakdown carefully. This helps you spot hidden costs and understand exactly what’s included, which can make the process quicker and less stressful.
The obvious advantage of choosing a cheap conveyancer is the lower upfront cost, which can be appealing if you’re trying to keep moving expenses down. However, the drawback is that these quotes often only cover the solicitor’s basic legal fee, with essential extras such as property searches and Land Registry charges added later. In more complex cases, costs can rise quickly, and in some instances, overly cheap quotes may even signal a potential scam.
If you want to compare cheap conveyancers, you can use our Conveyancing Calculator to receive an estimated cost dependent on the property price and location.
Understanding Conveyancing Costs
The average solicitor fees for buying a house are £2,339 while sellers pay around £800. This includes the legal fees, disbursements, and other potential costs.
Many conveyancers now offer a fixed-fee service, meaning the price you’re quoted upfront won’t change unless unexpected work arises. Some also provide no sale no fee conveyancing, where you don’t pay the solicitor’s legal fee if your transaction falls through, though you’ll still be responsible for third-party costs already incurred.
A few firms continue to charge by the hourly rate. While this can appear cheaper at first, it doesn’t cover disbursements and can quickly become more expensive for complex cases.
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What to Expect in a Conveyancing Quote
We’ve included a breakdown of the usual costs you’ll find in a conveyancing quote when buying a house at the UK average price of £285,000. This is based on our conveyancing fees cost data:
| Item | Avg. Cost |
|---|---|
| Solicitor’s legal fee | £1,548* |
| Property search pack | £294 |
| Anti-money laundering checks | £5 |
| Bank transfer fee | £40 |
| Transfer ownership with Land Registry | £438 |
| Stamp Duty | Price varies between 0% - 12% |
Prices are based on our cost data, received directly from user feedback.
Is Online Conveyancing Cheaper?
Yes, online conveyancing is often cheaper than using a high-street solicitor. Without the overheads of a physical office, online firms can cut costs and pass on savings. All communication and document handling is done digitally, making the process faster and more convenient.
Lower fees come from handling higher case volumes, but this can mean less personal service and limited local knowledge. Some online quotes also exclude disbursements, so the final bill may be higher than the advertised price.
For straightforward transactions, online conveyancing can be both affordable and efficient. For complex cases, a local solicitor may offer more tailored advice. Always check the full quote breakdown and independent reviews before choosing.
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What to Look Out For in Low Price Quotes
Cheap online conveyancing quotes may be advertised as low as £99. This will likely be the solicitor’s legal fee and won’t include other important costs.
Depending on the price and property location, it’s important to avoid any quotes that are well under £1,000. If you think a quote is too cheap, it probably does not include every cost. You want to be sure that your conveyancer offers services of the highest standard.
Checking the costs that factor into the quote provided helps to avoid hidden fees and keeps the overall cost as low as possible.
What Type of Property is the Cheapest for Conveyancing?
Conveyancing solicitors base their quotes on the value of the property you are buying or selling. A general rule of thumb is the higher the house is priced, the higher your conveyancing costs will be.
If you’re buying a freehold property, you’ll experience cheaper conveyancing fees in comparison to a leasehold property. Buying a leasehold involves additional conveyancing work and, therefore, a higher legal fee.
Conveyancing for a Shared Ownership or Help to Buy property will also require more conveyancing work. This is due to the extra paperwork and forms that must be submitted, making the process more expensive.
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What's the Difference Between an Estimate and a Quote?
A quote is an agreed price that should not change throughout the process. An estimate is a rough idea of the price that is subject to change.
It’s essential to get a full breakdown of the quote before you pay for the service. This ensures all the costs are included and there are no hidden charges.
Do You Get Cheaper Quotes in Different Parts of the UK?
Yes, conveyancing quotes can be cheaper or more expensive depending on where you live. A big factor is the cost of local authority searches, which are set by each council and vary across the UK. This means two buyers could pay very different fees for the same type of search depending on location.
A Local Authority Search typically includes both the Con29 and LLC1 reports, and VAT should be included in the quote.
Here are some examples of Local Authority search costs across the UK:
| City | Cost of Conveyancing Searches |
|---|---|
| City of London | £146.52 |
| Manchester | £74.50 |
| Bristol | £90 |
| Cardiff | £130 |
| Leeds | £76.90 |
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Does Paying More Mean You'll Get a Better Service?
Paying more for your conveyancing doesn’t guarantee a better service. Here are some reasons why you may pay more for your conveyancing fees:
The property has a high value
You're buying a leasehold property
You're buying with Help to Buy
You're buying with Shared Ownership
The conveyancing process usually takes between 8-12 weeks, regardless of how much you pay. Conveyancing searches take the longest time to be returned. Although some councils offer a quicker service for an additional fee.
The majority of the process is made up of legal practices and dealings with mortgages. As these are third-party services, they will take the same amount of time for most people.
Are Conveyancers Cheaper Than Solicitors?
Solicitors tend to charge more because they can assist with a wider range of legal services alongside property law. On the other hand, conveyancers specialise in property law. This means they are more likely to have relevant experience when dealing with complex cases. This includes lease extensions or transfer of equity.
How to Get Cheap Conveyancing Quotes When Moving
Compare My Move connects customers with up to 5 conveyancers operating in their local area. Simply fill in our conveyancing comparison form to compare quotes and save up to 70% on your conveyancing fees.
All our conveyancing partners have passed our strict verification process. To ensure exceptional customer service, all conveyancers must be regulated by one of the following:
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC)
Law Society of Scotland (LSS)
Law Society of Northern Ireland (LSNI)
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX)
Need a Surveyor Too?
If you also need a RICS-accredited property surveyor, our integrated conveyancing and surveying comparison form lets you connect with both conveyancers and surveyors in one go, helping you save time and money across the whole process.
