The bulk of the conveyancing effort is concentrated in the 'pre-exchange' phase, which generally spans four to seven weeks.

• Agreeing on the offer: once you've settled on a price for the property, we'll gather all the essential details from you. We'll then send over initial paperwork, including the terms of our service and cost estimates.
• Formal engagement: we only start officially working for you once we've received the signed paperwork from you.
• Property survey and mortgage application: either you or your mortgage lender will arrange for a property survey. If you're planning to take out a mortgage, you'll apply for it around this time.
• Initial contact with seller's conveyancer: we’ll contact the seller’s legal team to request a draft contract and other related paperwork.
• Contract review and enquiries: we review the contract pack and raise any queries we might have. These are known as ‘pre-contract enquiries’.
• Drafting transfer document: we draft a transfer document and share it with the sellers to verify its details.
• Seller's forms and boundaries: at this point, you'll receive a copy of the seller's completed forms and a property plan to confirm the boundary lines.
• Conducting searches: typically, we undertake four searches - Local Authority, Environmental, Coal Mining, and Water & Drainage. Additional searches can be conducted on request.
• Final reporting: after acquiring your mortgage offer, search results and seller's responses, we'll report back to you via post, email or in a face-to-face meeting. We'll also provide a completion statement outlining the amount due for the purchase.
• Document review and payments: you'll need to review all documents and reports. If everything is satisfactory, you'll sign the necessary papers and make the payment specified in the completion statement.
• Pre-completion searches: we carry out a Land Registry search on the property and, if you're buying with a mortgage, a bankruptcy search against you.

This final phase takes one to two months to complete.

• Stamp Duty: we handle the submission and payment of your Stamp Duty Land Tax.
• Receiving documents: the seller’s conveyancers send over any remaining documents or deeds along with the signed Transfer Deed.
• Land Registry application: we submit the relevant documents and fees to the Land Registry for the official change of ownership.
• Final documentation: once the Land Registry has updated the documents, we'll verify all the details and send you the updated Register of Title and any other relevant documents.

By carefully managing each step of this process, we aim to make your freehold property purchase as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Various types of property surveys are available in the UK, and the one you choose will largely depend on your specific needs, the age of the property, and its condition. Here are the most common types:

Valuation survey: this is the most basic type of property survey and is often required by mortgage lenders. It provides a market value for the property but doesn't go into detail about its condition. This is generally not recommended if you’re looking for an in-depth understanding of the property's state.

Homebuyers report: this is more detailed than a valuation survey and examines the condition of the property. It'll highlight issues like damp or subsidence but is non-intrusive, meaning the surveyor won't look behind furniture or lift floors. This is suitable for modern properties that appear to be in reasonable condition.

Building or full structural survey: this is the most comprehensive option. The surveyor will check the property thoroughly, looking into attics, behind walls and under floorboards. This is advisable for older properties, or if you're considering significant renovation work.