Is it the norm now for solicitors to want money up front for conveyancing?

[Hubcapdiamondstarhalo]

Just that really. My son is trying to buy his first flat, paid a deposit to the solicitor, who now want a further £750 to continue? It's been a few years since we've bought ourselves, but we've never been asked for fees up front before, always paid at the end of the process.

Won't that be the money to start the searches? That's usually paid upfront.

Normal I would say. It is money on account in order for them to start doing the work. Otherwise how else would they know you will pay?

He should have an itemised list of ‘disbursements’ as well as a schedule of fees.

solicitors do ask for money for searches, and if they are responsible for paying the mortgage arrangement fee, lenders solicitor fee etc.

Is it a proper solicitor? If he is buying via purple bricks I would strongly advise against using their in house ‘conveyancer’.

We had to pay some upfront. We paid the final bill over a month ago, too, and we’ve still not completed.

Thank you for your responses. I'm out of touch with the process, and was just uncertain. DS is buying through purple bricks, but not using their conveyancing. We already don't trust them, as he has been messed about so much regarding the sellers' status, and was pressured to go ahead with the conveyancing before the sellers had found a place to buy.

We paid some upfront for searches, I think it was about £400, and the balance the day before we exchanged.

He should have a breakdown of disbursements, what does it say?

Paid upfront for searches

I would not commit to the more expensive processes until the vendors have had an offer accepted.

Purple Bricks are shit.

I really would avoid the PB recommended conveyancers. They might appear a few £ cheaper, but long term, they really aren’t!

When I moved last year, my conveyancer asked for a £500 deposit, which would include the searches, and their fees would come out on completion.

If they are asking for money up-front it could be because they realise it’s unlikely to complete…