How do I chose a solicitor?

[MrsWhirling]

Just that really? Last time I used my dads and he was so expensive, so need someone else. Do I just pick a local one out of the phone book?!!

Just call a few and get a few quotes. They will vary considerably. Typically, larger firms will be more expensive (their rates are higher since their overheads are higher).

If it's for conveyancing its a process. There is no real benefit to having a "better" lawyer on the job unless there is some complicating factor with the property. Ask them how quickly they will be able to turn things around since if they are incredibly busy your matter will obviously have to wait its turn.

If possible, get recommendations from people you know. Do not use a large "conveyancing mill" type, where your case will be handled by a non-qualified and possibly not very experienced paralegal with limited supervision. (If you Google "conveyancing", these firms will tend to pop up first.)

The only bad experience I've had with conveyancers was when I bought my first home and felt that I needed a local firm who were familiar with the area. This was a complete non-starter - there was nothing specific to the area that couldn't have been dealt with by someone competent, and they made tons of mistakes - including not spotting an extra "0" on the purchase price on the contract of sale, and getting the address of the property wrong. They were also very slow / non-communicative.

Since then I have used a conveyancer in a small firm in Eastbourne for two purchases (I'm in London), based on a recommendation from a friend, and they have been professional and thorough.

Both the conveyancers I've used have charged well under £1000 inc. disbursements (photocopying, Land Reg searches etc).

Thank you both - I am very inexperienced. I'm also in London, and thought you had to use someone near you?!! X

The advantage of someone near you is that you can pop in with docs / ID / anything else if needed, and have a physical presence to chase. Maybe others have a different experience, but my local solicitors really didn't add any "local knowledge".

All Land Reg and other searches are done centrally anyway / ordered online, so there's nothing inherently helpful about the firm being nearby.

I suppose you can post on local forums for recommendations and see if something comes through / ask neighbours?

I have had good experience with local solicitors, large conveyancing firms and solicitors not nearby. They are all ok if they give you a quote, stick to it and do what they say when they say. I think conveyancing firms are good because they only do one thing. Small solicitors practices are often doing lots of things and dont focus on it.

We are new in our area so used what the estate agent suggested solicitors wise. They have been fab so far very quick

We've just instructed solicitors last week for conveyancing and we contacted a fair few for quotes and then went with the firm who both got back to us very quickly (indication on what to expect from them contact wise), and who gave the shortest time frame assurances for completion. We also looked them up for reviews online and found them to have 4.5/5 with lots of reviews submitted so we were confident they will deliver on their time promises (barring any unforeseen problems of course). As PP said, they don't have to be local but it can help with dropping off documents etc. Ours aren't local but not too far if we did need to go in, but so far we've just scanned everything over to them.

one amusing trick I heard was to pick one with the same name as you. So if your name is Samantha Archibald, pick one called Samuel Archibald.

There is a chance he will at least remember who you are.

Ive used a cheap online one which was a bloody disaster - I've since discovered they have now gone bust, and was so traumatised by the whole thing that this year I used someone local who were twice the price but were bloody fantastic. ALWAYS rang me back the same day if I called them. When you're stressing and trying to hold a chain together being able to speak to someone straight away is worth its weight in gold IMO. I also liked being able to pop in to sign stuff, check things etc.

We used one recommended by the estate agent. Finally exchanged today, our vendor had the offer on their purchase accepted early August and it's been a long painful experience and I have had to do a lot of chasing. I would just use the most reasonably priced local firm as they all seem crap! The ones in my chain are anyway good luck!