How to find a good conveyancer?

[Littlekittycat]

How do people find good conveyancers? Preferably someone local to visit in person.

We have used two local firms and both were incredibly slow (not chosen by us). For another transaction I am involved with, we appointed a local conveyancer who now also works at a big London firm and here (Somerset). She seems good, but I find her very rude.

Recently I needed to go in and get some papers signed, had an appointment. She didn’t let me in the office whilst she printed them and sorted her bits, and said stand here (outside in 1c) whilst she sorted the stuff inside the office. And then when I went to go inside the first thing she snapped at me was “Have you been smoking?”
I think she forgets I pay her fees out of my pocket.

Both times I asked friends and colleagues locally if they could recommend a firm, then contacted those recommended to ask for conveyancing quotes. Based our decision then on who provided the best and most timely response - so detailed breakdown of costs, who would be dealing with it and who responded in a reasonable timeframe.

It was fascinating that a couple of firms just failed to respond!

I've always gone for local for the ease of being able to hand-deliver paperwork. The first time we saw our solicitor once for ID checks and signing documents. The most recent time we never saw them at all - have no idea what he even looks like!

Word of mouth.

OP honestly I think you'd be lucky to find someone you are happy with. Every conveyancer we've used has not met my expectations.

After a very disappointing experience with a 'trusted local' firm (frustratingly slow, closed the offices at 4:30 on weekdays, etc) we thought we'd try a cheap online only firm for the most recent purchase and they were exactly as mediocre as the recommended one - but at half the cost.

Wish you luck!

its not easy but going off my awful experience, do NOT use Premier Property Lawyers.

We bought in September 2021. I couldn't get any of the local firms to even take my call as they were crazy busy with the end of the stamp duty holiday. Someone recommended Bishopsgate Law and they were fantastic.
They're based in Potters Bar, but it doesn't really matter as everything was electronic.
They were totally on the ball and communication was brilliant. The last house I bought was in 1996 so I need a lot of guidance.

We are buying and selling at the moment. We (foolishly) tied ourselves in to using the online estate agents conveyencers who are a firm based up north for our sale. The reviews were dreadful so we decided to appoint a local solicitor who was personally recommended for the purchase when we put an offer in a few weeks later.
Apart from a couple of hiccups the online solicitor has been pretty good and we are ready to exchange. We’ve had big hold ups and issues (actually incidentally caused by the solicitors in a previous sale) by the “trusted and recommended” local solicitor.
In my recent experience neither has been massively better than the other.
however it is useful to have a local firm that you can take paperwork to. We’ve had a few things so astray in the postal strikes.

I would ask for recommendations and read the reviews but delays can happen even with the best solicitor/conveyencers

It was many years ago but we used Clarke Wilmott in Taunton and they were very efficient.

I've found estate agents to be a good source of local info. They end up working with many solicitors and are aware which ones drag their heels or cause sales to fall through.