Mum's buyers waiting to see they can get the funds through before exchange

[pokemeinthemorning]

My mum is waiting to exchange on her house and buyers solicitors keep putting off the exchange date saying they are waiting to see if the funds will be through in time for a completion date (which hasn't yet been agreed but proposed next week).
I thought that you exchanged, then made a completion date and requested funds after exchange. Surely the mortgage company wouldn't be able to tell them an exact date the funds will be through before exchange?

No but they would be able to say how many working days notice they need to draw down funds.

I see, thank you. I'm wondering why this has taken a week though to be given that answer.

When we purchased the solicitor double checked with the mortgage lender before exchange that they would still release funds for the day we had planned to complete. This seems normal to me.

You almost always agree a completion date before exchanging - otherwise the buyer could be stuck having paid a deposit and paying for insurance on a property for months while trying to agree a completion date.
The only time I've heard of exchanging without a completion date is when something called a long stop is used instead - you agree to complete by x date instead.

That makes sense. It's been a few years since I bought my place and couldn't remember correctly.

Yes and if you fail to complete on the date you agreed at exchange for whatever reason, as a buyer you are liable for costs or could lose your deposit. So the solicitor will want to be sure they will get the funds through on the proposed date before they go ahead and exchange.