Choosing solicitor

[OfUselessBooks]

We have quotes from 3 solicitors and I'm procrastinating on the choice and don't know who to go for! When we bought last time, the whole process was very slow, but I'm not sure whether the solicitors were at fault or not. I was quite underwhelmed by them and they insisted on addressing everything to my husband and not me, so we're not using them again.

This time:

1. Recommended by estate agent. £1k more than others. A bit pushy, but maybe this means they'll be proactive with the service?
2. A random quote I got online. Very responsive to questions. But I don't know anything about them.
3. Company a close family member worked for so I know they're reliable. Cheapest quote and based in our new town. But only company not to do no sale no fee.

Which one would you go for?

3

Definitely 3
Definitely not 1

Always 3.

Absolutely 3

What are the reviews of all 3 like?

3

I was edging towards 3, thank you. Where would I read reviews @minniemountain ,that seems a good idea!

When we were looking we contacted a few solicitors with good reviews and asked them a few questions about their conveyancing process. Can't remember what now, but I think we just picked a few from the home owners alliance website.

The answer to the questions wasn't particularly important, but we looked at how they responded. The solicitor we chose in the end had a receptionist who answered all our easy questions on the phone and then had gone away and asked the solicitor any she didn't know and had gotten back to us the same day. We have had zero issues with our solicitor, she has been the only good thing about our house buying nightmare!

A similarly priced solicitor had given all our questions a brush off from the get go, with an airy "oh don't worry about all that". We figured if that was their response now, would we be able to get decent answers to any other questions down the line?

Our first move we needed to complete in 2 weeks and got lucky with an online conveyancer who made it happen for a high price. Second move was a cheap online quote who took FOREVER and was impossible to contact. We've gone with a local solicitor this time so I can camp out on their doorstep if necessary!