When you are buying or selling a property, understanding the costs involved helps you plan your move with confidence. But when conveyancing quotes are presented differently, knowing what you are comparing can be difficult.
One quote might show a headline legal fee, while another includes VAT, searches and other anticipated costs. Before deciding which to accept, it helps to understand what is included, what is separate and what could change.
Here is what to look for when comparing conveyancing quotes—and why price should be considered alongside the service you will receive.
What are conveyancing fees?
Conveyancing is the legal work involved in transferring ownership of a property. Your overall conveyancing costs will usually include your conveyancer’s legal fees and payments to third parties, known as disbursements.
Your estimate should distinguish between these costs and explain where VAT applies. Any property tax payable should also be clearly identified so you can budget for the total amount needed.
The amount you pay will depend on your transaction. Buying a leasehold flat with a mortgage, for example, involves different work from selling a registered freehold house.
1. Your conveyancer’s legal fees
The legal fee pays for the work your conveyancer carries out on your behalf.
Ask what that fee covers for your particular transaction. If you are buying with a mortgage, does it include acting for your lender? If you are selling, does it include dealing with the repayment of your existing mortgage?
A clear estimate should explain the scope of the work, the basis of the charges and any services that are excluded.
This makes it easier to understand what you are paying for before you instruct.
2. VAT
Check whether the legal fee is shown inclusive or exclusive of VAT.
For example, a legal fee of £1,000 plus VAT at 20% is £1,200 including VAT, before any separate costs are added. This is an illustration, rather than a Dawson & Co fee estimate.
Your breakdown should make the VAT position clear for each relevant charge. Do not assume that every third-party payment has the same VAT treatment.
3. Searches and other third-party costs
Disbursements are costs paid to third parties on your behalf. The items required will depend on whether you are buying, selling or carrying out another type of transaction.
For a purchase, searches commonly include:
Local authority searches, covering matters such as planning and building control records.
Water and drainage searches, providing information about water supply and drainage arrangements.
Environmental searches, assessing matters such as potential contamination and flood risk.
Your conveyancer may recommend further searches depending on the property and its location. Ask which searches are included in the estimated search cost and whether anything else may be needed.
Other items to check in your breakdown include Land Registry costs, bank transfer charges and any separately charged identity checks. Ask what each item covers and whether it is a payment to a third party or a fee charged by the firm.
4. Stamp Duty Land Tax or Land Transaction Tax
Property tax is separate from your conveyancer’s legal fee and can make a significant difference to your overall budget.
For property in England, Stamp Duty Land Tax may apply. For property in Wales, the relevant tax is Land Transaction Tax.
The amount depends on the applicable rules and your circumstances. Factors such as the purchase price, ownership of other property and eligibility for relief can affect the calculation.
Any tax estimate should be based on accurate information about your situation. Also check whether a separate legal charge applies for preparing and submitting the relevant tax return.
5. Leasehold and management-related costs
If you are buying or selling a leasehold property, ask specifically about management-related costs.
For sellers, obtaining a management pack is often an important part of the process. It provides information about matters such as service charges, insurance and planned works. Your conveyancer can explain what information is needed and establish the provider’s charges.
Useful questions include:
Does the legal estimate account for the property being leasehold?
Are management-pack charges included or still to be confirmed?
Are any landlord or managing-agent fees expected on completion?
What other payments will need to be established from the lease and management information?
If a third-party charge is not yet known, ask how it has been allowed for in your budget.
6. Additional work and potential charges
The initial information you provide helps your conveyancer assess the work involved. Tell them about any features that may affect the transaction, such as a gifted deposit, shared ownership, a new-build property or an auction deadline.
Ask whether these circumstances are covered by the estimate and what would happen if further work became necessary.
A fixed legal fee does not necessarily mean every possible cost is included. Check the agreed scope, any assumptions and the circumstances in which an additional charge could arise.
Before instructing, you should feel comfortable asking how changes to the estimated costs will be explained to you.
What happens if your move falls through?
Ask what you would owe if the transaction did not reach completion.
If a firm offers “no sale, no fee” or similar terms, request an explanation of what those terms cover. In particular, check the position on work already completed and third-party costs already incurred.
It is better to understand the cancellation terms at the beginning, when you can factor them into your decision.
Is the cheapest conveyancing quote always the best?
Cost matters when planning your move, but the cheapest quote will not always offer the best overall value. Alongside the price, consider who will handle your transaction, their experience, how easily you can contact them and the workload they manage.
A conveyancer’s caseload can affect the time available to review documents, respond to enquiries and keep you updated. The support and systems around them also matter, so the number of files alone does not tell the whole story. It is reasonable to ask how the firm manages workloads and who will provide support if your conveyancer is unavailable.
Before choosing, consider:
Personal attention: Will you have a named conveyancer responsible for your matter?
Communication: Can you contact them directly, and how will you receive updates?
Capacity: How does the firm ensure each matter receives sufficient attention?
Relevant experience: Does the person handling your file have experience with your type of transaction?
Overall cost: Does the estimate include the work you need, or could separate charges increase the total?
A lower fee does not automatically mean a poorer service, and a higher fee does not guarantee a smoother move. The aim is to choose a conveyancer whose price, experience and approach give you confidence that your matter will receive the attention it needs.
How to compare conveyancing quotes fairly
Put the full breakdowns side by side and check:
The total: Are you comparing figures that include VAT and the same anticipated costs?
The property details: Has each estimate been prepared for the correct tenure and transaction type?
The scope: Is the work you need included?
The unknowns: Which costs remain provisional or unconfirmed?
The payment terms: What is payable upfront, later in the transaction or if the matter falls through?
A useful practical step is to send each conveyancer the same information. This reduces the risk of comparing estimates based on different assumptions.
If anything is unclear, ask for an explanation before instructing. You should understand both the likely cost and the service you can expect.
Request a personalised conveyancing quote
At Dawson & Co Conveyancing, our approach centres on personal service, direct communication and clear guidance throughout your transaction.
We support clients across England and Wales, with all legal services provided through Taylor Rose.
When requesting an estimate, tell us whether you are buying, selling or both, the property address and price, whether it is freehold or leasehold, and whether a mortgage is involved. Let us know about any particular circumstances or deadlines so these can be considered from the outset.
Request your personalised conveyancing quote and take the next step with a clearer understanding of the costs involved.