Solicitor response time, what is normal?

[Evecob]

We are using 2 separate solicitors. One is far more responsive than the other, (sale) responds within the day or next day, the other (purchase) i can ask for an update and be waiting a week for a response. So far our searches are 2 weeks overdue, i asked for an update monday and he replied today (friday) to simply say he is "still chasing the outstanding search". He has given deadlines to us and not met them, and not updated us as to why he hasnt met them until we ask....

How often do you get replies/updates from your solicitors?

How long do you deem too long?

I'm using the same solicitor for my sale and purchase as they should coordinate and much simpler.
She answers usually same day or next, even if just to say that she has put a call in to the other side and is waiting for a response. She also ccs me into relevant emails to keep me up to date.

Let purchase solicitor know you’re disappointed with the vague update and ask what their target is for response to emails (and check to see if this is detailed in their terms of business).

We would have used the same solicitor but we were up with 2 agents, one was an online agent who used a specific solicitor, and we initially sold through them so used them for our sale. More expensive but she is definitely better.
Because they were so pricey we decided to use a cheaper online solicitor for purchase. We had used them before and the case handler we had then was good. This one im not sure if im being unreasonable but hes stressing me out with how little he updates and says!

They're extremely busy and tend to be reactive. Also the purchase solicitor is likely to be acting for your mortgage provider too so has more to do.

We are using the same solicitor for our purchase and sale, they are very good and keep us updated - our seller's solicitor on the other hand is so so slow!