Switching solicitors during conveyancing as buyer

[Bobbingtons]

Has anyone here had to switch solicitors whilst going through conveyancing?
I don't have a choice as my old firm has been closed down by the SRA. My solicitor who was not implicated in the decision has started with a new firm already but the new firm isn't on my lenders permitted solicitors board.
I'm hoping that a new solicitor can pick up where we left off (final query about indemnity insurance being dealt with and we were hoping to exchange asap after that) but I'm worried in case they will want to start the process from scratch.
Anyone had any experience of this?

We changed solicitors part way through buying as our old solicitors were absolutely useless.

Our situation was easier as they had done nothing but order searches so new solicitor could just crack on. You can definitely change but most solicitors would charge you full fee minus searches as they will need to check all the work done by previous solicitors so the workload is similar.

It shouldn't slow you down too much, but will cost more overall. You will need around a week to get set up as a new client and pass all the money laundering and ID checks. But reviewing your file should be able to be done in an afternoon.

Assuming the new firm isn't going to apply to be on your lender's panel, it might be quicker and cheaper to use the existing solicitor at the new firm but get a separate firm to act for the lender.