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Original poster

Help me find a 'good enough' conveyancer!

20 replies

Edwardandtubbs · 31/05/2023 08:37

Hi all

We're moving, a bit unexpectedly but all is going well with our sale and we are SSTC. I need to find a conveyancer. Last time I used an online company based miles away and they were awful - so much so we put in a complaint and got quite a lot of money back as they'd made several mistakes which delayed the process...so I was trying to avoid using an online factory type one this time.

However, I've had a local recommendation from someone who is 'brilliant' and I've nearly had a heart attack looking at their quote! It is 3 times what our mortgage adviser has recommended to budget for, and 5 times what the online conveyancing firms are quoting.

I am happy to pay a bit more for them not being totally shit, but not nearly £10k!

How do I find a decent conveyancer somewhere in between the terrible online only ones and a gold plated taking the piss one???!

OP posts:

CharlotteStreetW1 · 31/05/2023 08:48

Keep trying high street solicitors - they don't normally charge anything like that! Try your local Facebook page for recommendations.

I agree with steering well clear of the online conveyancers - dealing with them is a nightmare .

Tippexy · 31/05/2023 09:07

Use a recommended solicitor who is local to the property you’re buying. Look on the local FB page and see who is recommended the most.

PurpleBananaSmoothie · 31/05/2023 09:11

We’re using a online one at the minute and I’m so far quite happy with them. They are providing regular updates and seem to be very proactive.

Ask for recommendations on your local FB for a high street solicitor. Specifically mention moving house. When we bought this house we just the high street, local solicitors and they were shit. I would use them for anything ever again. My neighbour got her divorce through them and it wouldn’t surprise me if she’s still actually married!

fernsgotlegs · 31/05/2023 09:38

I made a list of local solicitors who had conveyancing specialists, checked google reviews and local facebook group, got quotes and phoned with imaginary queries, then ruled out the ones who didn't seem to be efficient, helpful, or had the same negatives coming up on several reviews. The one I used cost about £900 three years ago and was a conveyancer (not a solicitor) but worked for a local law firm.

CatsOnTheChair · 31/05/2023 09:44

Get on the local Facebook group for the area you are moving to, and search for old threads asking the same thing - note who people say not to use, as well as who is recommended.

KievLoverTwo · 31/05/2023 09:44

Trustpilot
Legal
Conveyancing
Sort by highest rated
Contact the first ones who do not request automated feedback

I found a brilliant online conveyancer this way, but I know they are rammed atm, and they refuse to take on too much work.

cassandracaine · 31/05/2023 12:01

Does your mortgage advisor have a recommendation? Ours referred us to a conveyancer he worked with frequently at Healys and we thought the price was reasonable.

Plankingplanks · 31/05/2023 12:04

A solicitor that you can actually go into the office of is worth their weight in gold. Any delays you can go in and speak to them etc.

My Dad mistakenly used Premier Property Lawyers an online conveyancing company when selling recently and the sale nearly feel through due to them being basically uncontactable, continually changing the conveyancer and general incompetence. It ended up taking 9 months to complete a sale which should have been straightforward - empty house being sold to a FTB.

Original poster

Edwardandtubbs · 31/05/2023 14:39

Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions.

The mortgage adviser recommended the last lot who were awful...he's a friend and was great so we are using him again but won't be trusting him on that!

Our move was delayed purely thanks to the conveyancers being crap, and at one point they resorted to straight up lying about who was at fault for some missing information, trying to pin it on the seller's solicitor. We saw the email chain and it was 100% my conveyancer's fault 🙄.

We are relocating, so should we use a 'local' conveyancer as in near to us now, or near to where we are buying?

OP posts:

FTM2022SS · 31/05/2023 14:40

Mooney Everett were brilliant. Based in Ormskirk but everything was posted!

CMOTDibbler · 31/05/2023 14:44

I used LPL who are online to sell my parents house and it was so clear with their online portal and excellent communication

Fidgety31 · 31/05/2023 14:46

Has anyone used Your Home Move online conveyance?
im in a similar position to OP and wondering whether to go online or not?

NewAnon · 31/05/2023 14:46

If you're buying in SE (Surrey/Home Counties) I can recommend our conveyancer. Though we've only just started using her, she did conveyancing for my mum when she bought her house, and for when she sold by grandparent's house in probate.

MinnieMountain · 31/05/2023 14:50

Do you mean My Home Move @Fidgety31? They are owned by Premier Property Lawyers.

Fidgety31 · 31/05/2023 14:59

@MinnieMountain yes that’s the one - have you experience of them ?

Plankingplanks · 31/05/2023 16:15

Edwardandtubbs · 31/05/2023 14:39

Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions.

The mortgage adviser recommended the last lot who were awful...he's a friend and was great so we are using him again but won't be trusting him on that!

We are relocating, so should we use a 'local' conveyancer as in near to us now, or near to where we are buying?

Go for one local to you now.

Plankingplanks · 31/05/2023 16:16

Fidgety31 · 31/05/2023 14:46

Has anyone used Your Home Move online conveyance?
im in a similar position to OP and wondering whether to go online or not?

Avoid them like the plague

KievLoverTwo · 31/05/2023 17:10

Edwardandtubbs · 31/05/2023 14:39

Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions.

The mortgage adviser recommended the last lot who were awful...he's a friend and was great so we are using him again but won't be trusting him on that!

We are relocating, so should we use a 'local' conveyancer as in near to us now, or near to where we are buying?

Near to you now. That way if they go AWOL you can physically turn up.

Also, unbeknownst to me, I had to sign a form in front of a conveyencer for the mortgage lender for it to be in my OH's name only. It had to be witnessed by my own conveyencer accordingly to the mortgage forms.

The purchase fell through so idk how rigid they are with following their own protocols.

caringcarer · 31/05/2023 18:26

Pick.onr where you can drop off papers and for when you have to sign in front of them.

MinnieMountain · 31/05/2023 19:37

@Fidgety31 they’re a right pain when you’re on the other side in a transaction. I wouldn’t use any firm in the Simplify group.

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