Does it make a difference if you pay more for a solicitor?

[movingonupup]

Do you think it helps or makes a difference?
Interested to hear other peoples thoughts.

I'm currently in the process of buying my first home and carefully selected my solicitor after reading loads of Google/trustpilot reviews. They're a local firm with around 4-5 offices and this particular solicitor was mentioned in a lot of their reviews.

My mortgage advisor recommended a company that was cheaper who also had good reviews, but the nearest office was nearly 2 hours away and I wanted someone a bit closer (not because I want to go into the office all the time, but I think it's good to have the option if needs be)

Anyway, I chose my solicitor who quoted £400 more. If I'm being completely honest, I really don't think it's made much of a difference. She's hasn't been slow, but not quick either. She has replied to emails when I've chased for an update but it's as though I've had to prompt her to do the work or provide an update. For example, she was in possession of the draft contract and searches for nearly 2 weeks but didn't actually review the paperwork/raise the enquires until I emailed her. She sent the enquires the same evening. I'm sure it would have been longer if I hadn't of chased.

There's been a few occasions where it's been complete silence for weeks but as soon as I've emailed, somethings been done. I just think I shouldn't have to chase/prompt her this much but maybe this is normal?

I probably would have gone for the cheaper option and saved a bit of money had I known it was going to be like this and take so long.

Mortgage advisors have kickback deals with solicitors hence they always want you to use "their guy". Go with the one you trust the most.

Thank you and yes I'm sure that's why he recommended that particular company.

I was just curious to see if other people thought it made a difference to the service paying more.

When we sold our last place we used the cheap deal from a call centre somewhere like wales whilst our purchasers used the solicitor up the street. If we move again I may well use their solicitor, he was on it, he asked move questions and was quick to turn things around. I spent longer on the phone with mine than they spent on the file. If you can afford the local solicitors firm, I'd definitely do it.

Yes it does make a difference you actually have a qualified solicitor checking the paperwork and details personally when the cheap places often give the work to unqualified staff and overload them with cases so things get missed.

A good conveyancer is worth paying double for. Never use the estate agent or mortgage recommended ones.

I used one recommended by one of the big estate agents. They would only progress my ‘file’ on a Friday and did everything so slowly and either didn’t respond or responded so poorly that more and more queries were being raised. I was buying a new build and selling to first time buyers (so it should have been straightforward) and it took them 10 months and the buyers were going to pull out. I was given 3 weeks for completion or I was going to lose the newbuild too. They told me it was impossible and stopped answering the phone to me.

I switched to another conveyancer who managed to sort it all out and got it through within 2 weeks. The stress! I was help to buy on the original one too so had to pay for another valuation £500 and the difference in valuation meant I paid another £2.5k in fees. I lost the good mortgage rate as rates went up.

Definitely worth the cash but you do have to chase all the time irrespective of how good/expensive or cheap they are. I don't get it. I've never met a single conveyancer who sat us down and said these are the steps we need to go through. We can do this once we receive this from X. Each step typically takes X days/weeks/months. Not a single one has ever proactively sent me an update saying it's moving along. Still waiting on X but chasing Y or could you prod your EA to prod the chain along?

How hard can FAQ's be so you at least know that you are reasonably chasing for an update or being "that client" who has no idea that searches can take several weeks to get back from the council or whatever.

At one point you have to actually sign stuff. Being able to go in person cuts a few days off and the legal secretary can witness so you don't have to find a willing neighbour.

Yes, in my experience it does make a difference. I've used expensive and I've used cheap ... I'll never go for cheap again.

I once made the mistake of using the cheapo conveyance company that the mortgage advisor directed me to. Never again.

Hours on hold with a call centre, could never get through to anyone and when I did no one specific to talk to and no one knew what was going on with our case! Pay a bit more and go with a local independent.

The really cheap ones are crap.

Otherwise they are much of a muchness

The cheap online-only conveyancing firms are definitely to be avoided, but with other ones I think the only way to find a good one is personal recommendation. It doesn't really matter where they are these days, as it is unlikely you will ever meet them, but you need someone who responds fast. I don't think I have ever waited more than about an hour to hear back from mine.

My husband is in the process of creating a YouTube channel to answer property buying and selling questions to help with exactly things like this as there is so much involved in the whole process that just isn't shared with buyers and sellers so no-one ever really knows what supposed to be happening. He's coming at it from 20+ years estate agency experience but I used to work in conveyancing so between us we've come across everything you could think of! If anyone would like his channel details let me know. He's not made any videos yet but if you want to ask questions he'll make videos to answer them as best he can (in straightforward English!).

DS has used the firm recommended by his mortgage advisor. He checked out their ratings on line before he committed to using them. So far they seem to be doing everything they should be. He sent a list of queries after he got his survey back and seemed to get a response within a couple of days.
Last time I had any conveyancing work done, I used a local, trusted expensive firm of solicitors and frankly I spent so much time chasing up stuff they hadn't done, I wasn't convinced I got value for money.

He should write a short book or have a website with subscription access - the dummies guide to buying a house in the UK. With a Scottish special edition.
With all the weird and wonderfuls which are thrown at you.
Like weird tithe charges in the title deed.
What to do when there's no evidence of building control on the loft "bedroom" that was converted in the 80's
What's your recourse when the sellers leave the place filthy and full of their crap
How does leasehold work?
Ground rent - the legal pitfalls. What questions to ask your solicitor?

I think they are much of a muchness, though I preferred having a local office to drop docs into. My solicitors often told me when I could expect things to go quiet and not to worry if I hadn't heard (while they are waiting for search results, while waiting for formal mortgage offer from bank etc). Housebuying is a slow process, it's not always the solicitors fault!