Sicitors fees for selling and buying properties?

[MaryPlain59]

Do solicitors usually charge a similar amount when you are buying a property as when you are selling yours? We have had a quote for the selling of ours but it says they will give a quote nearer the time for their charge for the buying of our new property when we have chosen it - just want to know if there is usually a big difference?

Sorry I meant Solicitor in the title 😕

If you buy a leasehold property there is more work to do, so that will have an implication for the costs.

I guess it depends on the type of properties that you are buying and selling and how many issues arise during the process. We are selling a three bedroom house and buying a larger four bedroom house and the selling fees are approximately £700, the purchasing fees are around £1000, including local searches etc.

Purchases are more expensive because your solicitor has to find out as much information on the property as they can so that you are aware what you are buying and they must be sure that the enquiries are fully satisfied in order that there are no nasty surprises later on, for which they could be sued.

Sales however are cheaper because the onus is on the other solicitor to raise the enquiries and obtain all the information for their buyer. Your solicitor merely has to respond, having referred a lot of the enquiries to you and maybe some other third parties. If the buying solicitor misses anything, then he is liable.

It is hard to say how much the difference in cost is, but on average, we would charge around £600 on a sale and £1000 on a purchase.

Thank you all very much for replying, that's all very helpful.

It cost us a bit less to sell than to buy, but the sale was leasehold so more expensive, whereas the purchase was freehold. Also, things like searches and Land Registry tax/fees have to be paid if you're buying.