“While it’s a good idea to get quotes, remember that buying a house is in all likelihood the biggest financial outlay you’ll have in your life. By all means, make sure that you’ve got a competitive quote, but don’t become consumed with getting the cheapest.
“A few quotes are usually enough. If you’re spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on a house, in the overall scheme of things, once you’ve got a few quotes to compare, ask yourself, “Is it a good use of your time to spend days ringing around twenty conveyancing lawyers in an effort to save maybe £20 on legal fees?”
So said the Legal Ombudsman…
At Astle Paterson, we do not expect to be the cheapest. We do aim to offer our clients quality legal advice with a personal touch at a fair cost. We can secure searches quickly and at the most competitive prices, and we do not use high-risk ‘personal’ search providers.
“Beware of quotes that look a lot cheaper than others; as the saying goes, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.”
If you have a mortgage, can the firm act for the lender as well, or will there be an additional charge?
At Astle Paterson, we supply clear cost information from the start, with no hidden extras. We can act for all lenders. We do not disguise our true charge by adding in nebulous charges for ‘archive fees’, setting up data records for clients, and so forth. We do not charge extra for work that should be part of the service, such as raising or replying to inquiries raised on your transaction.
In short, what do you need and want from your conveyancing lawyer?
Get a few quotes before making a decision, but make sure they are like-for-like and compare the charges.
At Astle Paterson, we are happy to provide you with an estimate of our charges by email or postal mail.
If you are considering a no-move, no-fee ‘deal’, check this carefully. The Legal Ombudsman, in his report, gives examples of cases that proved to be anything but what the client expected.
At Astle Paterson, we reserve the right to charge for work on your case if it does not proceed. This is based on the amount of work done in proportion to our original estimate. This then fairly balances our clients interests with our own. We are usually happy to carry forward any charge where the property is to be re-marketed to the completion invoice.
Remember, you are free to choose. You do not have to follow the recommendations of your estate agent. Be wary of recommendations that are not based on the value of the conveyancer but rather on the amount they will pay them if they secure your work. Do not be afraid to ask!
At Astle Paterson, we do not pay estate agents for referring any work to us. These days, we are fairly unique in this respect.
We will always send you a copy of the title plan and show you what is included in the sale.
At Astle Paterson, we aim to offer all our clients an efficient and effective service; however, if a client is unhappy with any aspect of our service, we have a complaints procedure in place with a dedicated client care manager, and details are provided in our initial terms of business and subsequent correspondence.
If possible, visit the conveyancing lawyer’s office to get a sense of their operation and meet the team of conveyancing lawyers. This can help you gauge their professionalism and efficiency.
We agree fully that this is a two-way street. We provide information at the commencement of the transaction to help with common issues, but we are always available by telephone and email to discuss any concerns. Some clients express reticence about troubling us, but it is what we are here for!
“There is no such thing as a silly question.”
Choosing a conveyancing lawyer is a crucial step in the process of buying or selling property. By following these tips and completing thorough research, you can make an informed selection and choose the most qualified conveyancing lawyer for your property transaction needs. At Astle Paterson, we could not agree more. If our client is unsure or worried about anything, we are the experts and here to help.
