15 Essential Questions for Your Conveyancer UK 2025 | Complete Guide
Critical questions to ask conveyancers before hiring. Expert guidance on costs, experience, timelines and red flags. Choose the right conveyancer for your property transaction.
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⚖️ Conveyancer Selection Guide
Choosing the right conveyancer can save thousands and prevent transaction failures. These strategic questions help you identify experienced professionals who'll protect your interests and ensure smooth completion.
Why These Questions Matter
Your conveyancer handles the legal transfer of property ownership - one of the largest financial transactions of your life. Poor conveyancing can cost thousands in delays, legal issues, or transaction failures. These questions help you identify competent professionals who'll protect your interests.
📊 UK Conveyancing Statistics 2025
The Cost of Poor Conveyancing
⚠️ Poor Conveyancer Consequences
Inexperienced or overloaded conveyancers can cause transaction delays (average 3-6 weeks extra), missed legal issues (£5,000-£15,000 average costs), and complete transaction failures (total loss of costs and time invested).
Essential Experience & Qualification Questions
These fundamental questions establish your conveyancer's competence, experience level, and suitability for your specific transaction type.
🎯 Core Competence Questions
1. "Are you a qualified solicitor or licensed conveyancer?"
Verifies professional qualification and regulatory oversight
- • Solicitors: Regulated by Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
- • Licensed Conveyancers: Regulated by Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC)
- • Both are qualified - avoid unregulated "conveyancing assistants"
- • Check their registration on SRA or CLC websites
2. "How many transactions like mine have you completed in the last year?"
Assesses specific experience with your transaction type
- • Look for 50+ similar transactions annually
- • Leasehold specialists for flats and maisonettes
- • Freehold experience for houses
- • New build specialists for off-plan purchases
3. "How long have you been practising conveyancing?"
Determines experience level and expertise development
- • Minimum 3-5 years for standard transactions
- • 10+ years for complex cases
- • Recent qualifiers acceptable with senior supervision
- • Ask about continuous professional development
Professional Standing & Insurance
🛡️ Protection & Insurance Questions
4. Professional Indemnity Insurance
- • "What's your PI insurance level?"
- • Minimum £1 million coverage required
- • £2-6 million for complex transactions
- • Check insurer reputation and stability
5. Client Money Protection
- • "How do you protect client funds?"
- • Separate client account mandatory
- • Bank reconciliation procedures
- • SRA/CLC compensation fund coverage
Cost & Fee Structure Questions
Understanding total costs upfront prevents surprise charges and helps you budget accurately for your property transaction.
💰 Comprehensive Cost Questions
6. "What's your complete fee structure including all disbursements?"
Reveals total transaction cost and payment structure
Typical Cost Breakdown 2025:
- • Legal fees: £850-£1,500
- • Local searches: £250-£400
- • Land Registry fees: £40-£910
- • Bankruptcy search: £2
- • Bank transfer fees: £20-£50
- • Total: £1,162-£2,862
7. "Are there any additional charges for complications?"
Identifies potential extra costs for complex issues
- • Chain delays: £150-£300 per month extension
- • Additional searches: £50-£200 each
- • Leasehold enquiries: £100-£300
- • Planning issues: £200-£500 investigation
8. "When do you require payment and what methods do you accept?"
Clarifies payment timing and cash flow requirements
- • Most charge on completion
- • Some require upfront payment
- • Disbursements usually paid on completion
- • Bank transfer, cheque, or card payments
Timeline & Process Management
Understanding your conveyancer's process and timeline expectations helps you plan your move and identify potential delays early.
⏰ Process & Timeline Questions
9. "What's your realistic timeline from instruction to completion?"
Sets expectations and reveals workload management
REALISTIC TIMELINES
- • Simple transaction: 6-8 weeks
- • Chain involved: 8-12 weeks
- • Leasehold: 8-10 weeks
- • New build: 10-16 weeks
WARNING SIGNS
- • Promises under 4 weeks
- • Vague "it depends" answers
- • No acknowledgment of complications
- • Pressure for unrealistic deadlines
10. "How many cases are you currently handling?"
Assesses workload and attention your case will receive
- • 40-60 cases is typical for experienced conveyancers
- • Over 80 cases suggests overloading
- • Ask about support staff and delegation
- • Ensure senior oversight for complex matters
Communication & Service Standards
Effective communication prevents misunderstandings and ensures you stay informed throughout your property transaction. Poor communication is a leading cause of client dissatisfaction.
📞 Communication Assessment Questions
11. "How often will you update me on progress?"
Establishes communication frequency and proactive updates
- • Weekly updates minimum during active phases
- • Immediate notification of significant developments
- • Written summaries of phone conversations
- • Client portal access for 24/7 status checking
12. "What's your typical response time for enquiries?"
Sets expectations for responsiveness and availability
- • Same day response for urgent matters
- • 24-48 hours for routine enquiries
- • Emergency contact procedures
- • Holiday and absence cover arrangements
13. "Who else in your team might handle my case?"
Identifies support team and ensures continuity
- • Qualified supervision for junior staff
- • Clear handover procedures
- • Consistent file management
- • Team experience levels
Specialist Expertise Assessment
Different property transactions require specific expertise. Ensure your conveyancer has relevant experience with your particular transaction type and potential complications.
🎯 Specialisation Questions
14. Property Type Expertise
- • "Do you specialise in [leasehold/freehold/new build]?"
- • "Have you handled [shared ownership/Help to Buy]?"
- • "Experience with [listed buildings/conservation areas]?"
- • "Familiar with [auction purchases/probate sales]?"
15. Complex Situation Experience
- • "Experience with [planning issues/disputes]?"
- • "Handled [commercial/mixed-use properties]?"
- • "Dealt with [right to buy/shared equity]?"
- • "Managed [overseas buyers/non-resident sellers]?"
Red Flags & Warning Signs
Recognising warning signs early can save you from poor service, delays, and potentially costly mistakes during your property transaction.
🚨 Conveyancer Red Flags
Avoid conveyancers who show these warning signs: unrealistic promises, evasive answers about costs, poor communication, excessive caseloads, or lack of specialist experience.
⚠️ Critical Warning Signs
❌ Immediate Concerns
- • Pressure to instruct immediately
- • Vague or evasive cost explanations
- • No written terms of engagement
- • Unqualified staff handling transactions
- • Poor office organisation or systems
- • Promises of unrealistic timelines
⚠️ Process Concerns
- • No regular communication schedule
- • Frequently unavailable or unresponsive
- • Delegation to unqualified staff
- • No clear complaints procedure
- • Inadequate professional insurance
- • Multiple client complaints online
Comparing Multiple Conveyancers
Use this systematic approach to evaluate and compare different conveyancers objectively, ensuring you make the best choice for your specific needs.
📊 Conveyancer Comparison Framework
Experience (30%)
- • Years practising
- • Similar transactions
- • Specialist expertise
- • Professional standing
Cost & Value (25%)
- • Total fee transparency
- • Value for expertise
- • No hidden charges
- • Payment terms
Service Quality (45%)
- • Communication standards
- • Realistic timelines
- • Professional approach
- • Client references
Making Your Final Decision
After evaluating multiple conveyancers, use these final considerations to make your choice and ensure a successful property transaction.
✅ Final Selection Checklist
💼 Trust Your Instincts
After asking these questions, trust your instincts about professionalism and competence. The cheapest option isn't always the best value - experienced conveyancers who prevent delays and issues often save money overall.
⚖️ Ready to Choose Your Conveyancer?
With these strategic questions, you're equipped to select a conveyancer who'll protect your interests and ensure smooth completion. Learn about complete moving costs and understand the offer acceptance process. Connect with our expert conveyancers who answer all these questions transparently. Get professional conveyancing support for your property transaction.
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