I've never had to sell a property before, so I am completely clueless as to how to find a good conveyancing solicitor. The estate agent has recommended a local solicitor they say they have used quite a lot, but I don't know whether to look elsewhere or just accept who they recommend. My previous dealings with 3 separate firms (2 for property and 1 for estate planning) have all been abysmal. I've looked at reviews online of the recommended conveyencer, most of which are good (although the agency is a large, national one, so reviews aren't really that helpful, as they don't mention which office they used, so the local office could be great or awful). About 12% are really awful and say the appalling service (primarily around dreadful communication and missing out key steps) has cost the individual the sale/purchase of their property.
What did you look for when you searched for a conveyancing solicitor to sell a property? Are there questions you wished you'd asked before appointing one? Is there something you'd do differently next time? What is a standard charge (I've been quoted a min. of £1800, but as some items are extortionate e.g. a £50 fee every time money goes in or out of their account, I can see how this estimate could rack up quite quickly).