Price Transparency

We provide a tailored service, building close personal connections with clients to understand and achieve their specific needs.  We do not try to provide one-size-fits-all solutions because we know they rarely work.   

When you work with us, you receive a genuine partner-led service: that means you always get the benefit of our extensive experience in resolving our clients’ most complex issues. 

We always strive to provide value and to charge fairly for the work we do for you.  We generally charge by reference to the time we spend working for you, taking account of factors such as the complexity of the issues, the size and value of your transaction, the risks, outcome and benefits achieved.  We are, though, very flexible and willing to offer other options such as fixed fees and/or monthly retainer arrangements.  Let us know what works for you and we are happy to explore the options with you.

From the outset we will endeavour to give you clear information on our charges and, wherever possible, we will provide estimates for the agreed scope of work.  We can help you to manage our charges by setting thresholds for specific tasks or phases of a transaction and we will update you throughout the life cycle of your transaction so that you know where you stand.

We are required to publish pricing information for certain services.  Because of the personalised nature of the services we provide, the information below should be viewed as a guide.  If you choose to work with us, we will provide you with information on how we propose to charge you for the work you need us to do and provide estimates of the likely costs involved, so that you can make informed decisions. 

Residential conveyancing

The amount we charge for helping you with a sale, purchase or mortgage of a residential property will vary depending on factors including the nature, value and complexity of the transaction.  We are always willing to give you clearer guidance on our charges for your specific transaction before you commit to working with us. 

Cost of our service

Indicative guidelines for straightforward transactions are below.

Our charges reflect the value of the property and amount of work involved in completing your transaction (which may be influenced by the factors addressed below).

Where you ask us to handle a sale and a purchase they are treated as two separate transactions (although we will ensure that the two transactions are seamlessly coordinated).

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is payable when purchasing property.  The amount will depend on the value of the property and your circumstances.

Search fees will vary depending on the local authority and which searches need to be carried out. They may exceed the typical range indicated above considerably in more complex transactions. 

VAT is chargeable at 20% on certain fees.  An indication of where VAT is chargeable is included in the tables above. 

Assumptions

The guidelines above assume the transaction is straightforward, all parties are cooperative, and everything proceeds in a timely manner and without unforeseen complications.

Transactions which do not meet those assumptions, or which involve any of the following, are likely to entail higher fees:

• unregistered property

• defects in title

• planning breaches

• off plan / new build properties

• listed buildings

• any indemnity policy

• grant of a new lease

• a shared ownership scheme

• help to Buy scheme

• right to buy legislation

• transfer without vacant possession

• a repossessed property

• a flying freehold

• an auction sale

• finance otherwise than from a high-street lender

• your mortgagee has separate solicitors

• urgency

• corporate structures

• enhanced due diligence

The key stages involved

The precise stages involved will depend on nature of your transactions and the specific circumstances.  A general indication of typical key stages is below:

Purchase

• taking your instructions

• anti-money laundering due diligence

• checking finances are in place

• reviewing and advising on contract

• conducting searches

• obtaining planning documentation (where needed)

• enquiries of seller

• advice and report on title

• explaining mortgage conditions to you

• dealing with draft transfer

• agreeing exchange/completion timescales

• arranging for your signature of contract

• exchange contracts

• pre-completion searches

• arrangements to receive funds

• completing purchase

• dealing with payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax

• sending post-completion notices

• applying for registration at Land Registry 

Sale

• taking your instructions

• anti-money laundering due diligence

• getting your input on standard property questionnaires

• producing draft contract and sales pack

• responding to enquiries from the purchaser

• negotiate the contract and transfer

• agreeing exchange/completion timescales

• arranging for your signature of contract

• exchange contracts

• arranging for your signature of transfer

• completing sale

• prepare completion statement

• dealing with redemption of mortgage

• settling agents’ fees

• transferring balance of sale proceed to you

Re-mortgage

• taking your instructions

• anti-money laundering due diligence

• reporting on terms of new mortgage

• conducting searches

• obtaining land registry, planning and other documentation as required by your lender

• reviewing lease (if applicable) and advising lender whether any deed of variation is required

• reporting to you and your lender on adverse matters

• providing your lender with a certificate of title

• registering new mortgage at Land Registry

• serving notice of change on your landlord (if applicable) 

Timescales

Typically, the time between you instructing us and the conclusion of the transaction may be within the range of 8-12 weeks, with 6-8 weeks to exchange of contracts and 2-4 weeks between exchange and completion being the norm.  It may be possible to conclude the transaction within a shorter timescale, but it can also take longer, depending on factors including whether or not there is a chain, how long searches take, whether mortgage finance is involved and whether any of the complicating factors noted above are involved.

What is and what is not included?

The key stages above are included in the indicative costs of our services.

The costs outlined above do not include:

• additional work involved where any of the complicating factors noted above are present

• tax advice

• planning advice

• advice on specialist environmental matters

• construction advice

• financial advice or negotiating finance terms

• advice relating to neighbouring properties

• lock out / exclusivity agreements

• co-habitation agreements / trust deeds

• supplemental documents such as tenancies, licences, deeds of variation 

We can help with these matters and we are happy to provide information on our fees.