How to find a good conveyancing solicitor
Conveyancing solicitor - friends or family recommendation
If family or friends have had a good experience with a particular conveyancing solicitor then consider instructing the same firm. Remember you may not get the same conveyancing solicitor working for you, particularly in a large practice.
Conveyancing solicitor - Estate Agents or mortgage lender recommendation
Ask your Estate Agent, or your mortgage lender for a recommendation. Someone will have dealt with a solicitor before and know who to trust.
The family solicitor is usually a good choice.
When finding a good conveyancing solicitor you should also take into consideration:
Cost: Talk to 2 0r 3 different solicitors and get a firm cost quotation for handling your conveyancing. This does not mean that you should go for the cheapest quote you get, but that you stay within your means. There may be different reasons why one solicitor is cheaper than another, but find out about the service they provide. Do they offer a no sale no fee service. A very useful safeguard should the transaction not go to completion.
Information: During the selling process how will your solicitor keep you informed of progress. Many solicitors now provide an online account where you can access current information on the progress of your transaction
Relationship: It is important that your solicitor is approachable and easy to get on with. Talk to them and see what they are like.
Make sure your solicitor is a member of a recognised organisation. If you have a problem the Law Society's Office for the Supervision of Solicitors deals with complaints about solicitors and conveyancers. Their website is http://www.lawsoc.org.uk
Instead of a conveyancing solicitor one cheaper option, certainly if you are buying a house is to use a licensed conveyancer. If you are taking out a mortgage you should check with your mortgage provider if this is acceptable, as some will insist that the legal work is carried out by a solicitor. For more details of this option make sure you visit their website at www.conveyancer.org.uk
DIY Conveyancing
If you prefer to save yourself the expenses of a solicitor you can also do the conveyancing yourself. If you have no background knowledge of legal and administrative matters there is a risk that you will end up spending more money on legal proceedings because you messed up some boundary issues, than you would have spent on a solicitor.