Residential Conveyancing Fees Explained

Woman looking at her phone surrounded by boxes

Residential Conveyancing Fees Explained

For a smooth transition

We aim to be clear and transparent with our clients as to the likely cost to you of the work we will carry out on your behalf, together with details of other expenses (you may see these referred to sometimes as “disbursements”) including taxes, which may apply to your circumstances. By offering an online estimate you can immediately know what to expect based on the standard information you have provided. However, for a confirmed fixed fee quotation please contact us on 0800 012 9085 or use the form below.

The normal method of charging for conveyancing services is “fixed fee”, which means that the legal fees you pay to Switalskis for the work we do will not be based on the time it takes us (i.e. with reference to an hourly rate) to do the work.

This does not mean that additional charges won’t arise in certain circumstances, but additional charges that do apply will also be based on a set, or fixed price for the work to be undertaken. Our expert team will be able to advise you on any additional charges that may apply when providing you with a tailored quotation.

All fee estimates obtained through our online quote tool, and any time estimates given, will be based on a series of assumptions, in particular that:-

  • Your transaction will be standard and that no unforeseen matters arise including for example (but not limited to) a defect in title which requires remedying prior to completion or the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction.
  • For a leasehold property - this is the assignment of an existing lease and is not the grant of a new lease
  • the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complications arise
  • all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
  • no conveyancing indemnity insurance policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.

Please note that our standard conveyancing fees do not include tax advice or advice on the creation of a trust. Such advice does not fall within the remit of the standard conveyancing service and fees.

How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move into your house, complete the sale of your house or complete your new mortgage will depend on a number of factors. The average conveyancing process takes between 10 to 14 weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 6 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.

The key stages of a residential freehold sale process

Individual circumstances will of course vary but we would consider the following to be the key stages of this process:-

  • Taking instructions and verifying your ID and property details.
  • Preparing a draft contract for sale and collating title documents.
  • Establishing outstanding amounts on any mortgage finance.
  • Considering your completed questionnaires, title and other information
  • Submitting the Contract Pack to the buyer’s solicitors.
  • If there is an open space controlled by a freehold management company, requesting a seller’s pack and dealing with all associated work to ensure the sale can proceed.
  • Discussing with you and answering questions raised by the buyer’s solicitor about the property, its title and other key information.
  • Arranging for you to sign the legal documents.
  • Exchange of contracts to legally bind both parties to the transaction.
  • Coordinating the transfer of funds and legal ownership, ensuring the mortgage (if applicable) is repaid, and finalising the sale.
  • Sending the proceeds of sale (if any) to you.

How long will it take?

How long it will take from you accepting an offer until you can complete the sale of your house will depend on a number of factors.

The average sale conveyancing process of this nature takes between 10 to 14 weeks.

However, this can be quicker or slower, depending on a number of factors.

For example:-

  • If there is a chain (e.g. you also have a property to buy or your buyer is selling a property – and this could of course extend depending on how many people, or “links”, there are in the chain) remember that all of the key stages of the process outlined above are likely to be needed to be completed for each link in the chain.
  • If the financing of any link in the chain is complex e.g. remortgaging of another property, proceeds from a sale being handled as part of a divorce, or cashing in investments where a certain period of time is needed to draw down those funds.
  • If there are any unforeseen complexities with your sale as a result of a title issue, or an adverse survey obtained by your purchaser.

The key stages of a residential freehold purchase process

Individual circumstances will of course vary but we would consider the following to be the key stages of this process:-

  •  Take your instructions and give you initial advice
  • Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender's solicitors if needed
  • Receive and advise on contract documents
  • Carry out searches
  • Obtain further planning documentation if required
  • Make any necessary enquiries of seller's solicitor
  • Give you advice on all documents and information received
  • Go through conditions of mortgage offer with you
  • Send final contract to you for signature
  • Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
  • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
  • Obtain pre-completion searches
  • Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you
  • Complete purchase
  • Deal with payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) (Note: SDLT is payable in addition to any legal fees quoted)
  • Deal with application for registration at Land Registry

How long will it take?

How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move into your house will depend on a number of factors.

The average purchase conveyancing process of this nature takes between 10 to 14 weeks.

However, this can be quicker or slower, depending on a number of factors.

For example:-

  • If there is a chain (e.g. you also have a property to sell or your seller is buying a new property – and this could of course extend depending on how many people, or “links”, there are in the chain) remember that all of the key stages of the process outlined above are likely to be needed to be completed for each link in the chain.
  • If the financing of the purchase (or of any link in the chain) is complex e.g. remortgaging of another property, proceeds from a sale being handled as part of a divorce, or cashing in investments where a certain period of time is needed to draw down those funds.
  • If you are a first-time buyer.
  • If you are buying a new build property which is not yet built, the time it takes to complete the transaction will be governed by the timescale for the build, which we cannot estimate without knowing the circumstances of a particular case.

The key stages of a residential leasehold sale process

Individual circumstances will of course vary but we would consider the following to be the key stages of this process:-

  • Taking instructions and verifying your ID and property details.
  • Preparing a draft contract for sale and collating title documents.
  • Establishing outstanding amounts on any mortgage finance.
  • Considering your completed questionnaires, title and other information
  • Submitting the Contract Pack to the buyer’s solicitors.
  • Dealing with any issues/processes where the property is within a “relevant building” for the purposes of the Building Safety Act 2022.
  • Responding to Leasehold-Specific Enquiries: Addressing the buyer's solicitor's queries, particularly those related to lease obligations and management.
  • Communication with Managing Agents: Liaising with freeholders or managing agents to resolve any additional requirements including but not limited to obtaining a management information pack.
  • Discussing with you and answering questions raised by the buyer’s solicitor about the property, its title and other key information.
  • Arranging for you to sign the legal documents.
  • Exchange of contracts to legally bind both parties to the transaction.
  • Coordinating the transfer of funds and legal ownership, ensuring the mortgage (if applicable) is repaid, and finalising the sale.
  • Sending the proceeds of sale (if any) to you.

How long will it take?

How long it will take from you accepting an offer until you can complete the sale of your house will depend on a number of factors.

The average sale conveyancing process of this nature takes between 10 to 14 weeks.

However, this can be quicker or slower, depending on a number of factors.

For example:-

  • If there is a chain (e.g. you also have a property to buy or your buyer is selling a property – and this could of course extend depending on how many people, or “links”, there are in the chain) remember that all of the key stages of the process outlined above are likely to be needed to be completed for each link in the chain.
  • If the financing of any link in the chain is complex e.g. remortgaging of another property, proceeds from a sale being handled as part of a divorce, or cashing in investments where a certain period of time is needed to draw down those funds.
  • If there are any unforeseen complexities with your sale as a result of a title issue, or an adverse survey obtained by your purchaser.
  • If your sale requires an extension of the lease (to satisfy the buyer’s requirements), this can take significantly longer than the average timescale of 10 to 14 weeks.  In such, a situation additional charges would apply.

The key stages of a residential leasehold purchase process

Individual circumstances will of course vary but we would consider the following to be the key stages of this process:-

  • Take your instructions and give you initial advice
  • Check finances are in place to fund the purchase and contact lender's solicitors if needed
  • Receive and advise on contract documents
  • Carry out searches
  • Obtain further planning documentation if required
  • Make any necessary enquiries of seller's solicitor
  • Give you advice on all documents and information received
  • Go through conditions of mortgage offer
  • Send final contract to you for signature
  • Dealing with any issues/processes where the property is within a “relevant building” for the purposes of the Building Safety Act 2022.
  • Advising on the terms of the lease any associated fixed or periodic costs.
  • Reviewing and advising on the contents of the management information pack.
  • Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
  • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
  • Obtain pre-completion searches

Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you

  • Complete purchase
  • Deal with payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) (Note: SDLT is payable in addition to any legal fees quoted)
  • Deal with application for registration at Land Registry
  • Serving of Notices required in accordance with terms of the Lease

How long will it take?

How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move into your house will depend on a number of factors.

The average purchase conveyancing process of this nature takes between 10 and 14 weeks.

However, this can be quicker or slower, depending on a number of factors.

For example:-

  • If there is a chain (e.g. you also have a property to sell or your seller is buying a new property – and this could of course extend depending on how many people, or “links”, there are in the chain) remember that all of the key stages of the process outlined above are likely to be needed to be completed for each link in the chain.
  • If the financing of the purchase (or of any link in the chain) is complex e.g. remortgaging of another property, proceeds from a sale being handled as part of a divorce, or cashing in investments where a certain period of time is needed to draw down those funds.
  • If you are a first-time buyer.
  • If you are buying a new build property which is not yet built, the time it takes to complete the transaction will be governed by the timescale for the build, which we cannot estimate without knowing the circumstances of a particular case.
  • If your purchase requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer than the average timescale of 10 to 14 weeks.  In such, a situation additional charges would apply.

The key stages of a residential mortgage/remortgage process

Individual circumstances will of course vary but we would consider the following to be the key stages of this process:-

  • Taking instructions and verifying your ID and property details.
  • Obtaining the title information for the property.
  • Establishing outstanding amounts on any existing mortgage finance.
  • Considering your completed questionnaires, title and other information
  • Obtaining the new lenders mortgage offer and reviewing the lenders requirements and mortgage conditions.
  • Arranging for you to sign the legal documents.
  • Agreeing a completion date and reporting to the lender on the title to the property.
  • Coordinating the transfer of funds, ensuring the existing mortgage (if applicable) is repaid, and finalising the new mortgage/remortgage.
  • Sending the proceeds of the mortgage/remortgage (if any) to you.

How long will it take?

How long it will take from you securing a mortgage offer until you can complete the mortgage/remortgage of your house will depend on a number of factors. 

The average mortgage conveyancing process of this nature takes between 4 to 6 weeks.

However, this can be quicker or slower, depending on a number of factors.

For example:-

  • If there is a delay in any survey/valuation to be carried out by the new lender.
  • If there are any unforeseen complexities with your mortgage as a result of a title issue, or an adverse survey obtained by your lender.

Want to know more? Just give us a ring on 0800 012 9085 or contact us through our website.

Woman looking at her phone surrounded by boxes

Why Switalskis

If you're thinking of buying or selling a home and need clear, expert advice, Switalskis is the team for you.

Clarity in complexity

Dealing with property can be confusing. But don't worry, we're here to make it easy. We'll answer all your questions, break down the legal talk and keep you in the loop. That way, you'll always know what's going on and feel confident about your choices.

Empathy at every step

Buying or selling a home is a big deal, and we get that. We're here to listen, understand what you need, and give advice that fits you. You're not just another case for us; you're a person going through a big life moment, and we want to make it as stress-free as we can.

Expertise you can trust

When it comes to legal stuff around property, you want someone who knows their way around. That's us. We've got heaps of experience and a track record that says we know our stuff, helping folks like you make smooth moves.

Championing your rights

We're all in for getting you the best deal and making sure your rights are looked after. From our first chat to handing over the keys, we'll keep you clued in so you always know what's happening.

Our residential conveyancing specialists

Photo of Sarah Cookson
Sarah CooksonDirector and Solicitor
Photo of Rahul Roy
Rahul RoySolicitor
photo of Briony Ely
Briony ElySolicitor
photo of Melanie Hirst
Melanie HirstConveyancer
Sarah Kent photo
Sarah KentAssociate Conveyancer
View more

Our latest conveyancing blogs

View more

Find out how Switalskis can help you

Want to know more? Just give us a ring on 0800 012 9085 , or get in touch through our website.

When completing this form, the details you provide will only be used to deal with your enquiry. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information on how your data is used and stored.

Contact us