Our price depends upon a number of factors, such as whether the property is freehold or leasehold; whether it is a new build; whether you are obtaining a mortgage from a non-mainstream mortgage lender or whether you wish to complete within less than 7 working days after contracts are exchanged. These variables are taken into account in our pricing to ensure that we remain competitive and that our prices fairly reflect the work involved. We are always happy to provide a bespoke fee estimate free of charge which can be requested by clicking here or by calling us on 01442 890111.

 

Unlike some, we do not aim to be the cheapest since, in our experience, this usually results in compromises to the quality and efficiency of the service. We firmly believe that our prices represent good value for money and ensure that we are able to offer the service our clients have come to expect.

 

Our standard fee scale is shown below. Please note that all prices are exclusive of:

 

• VAT which will be added at the prevailing rate (currently 20%).

• Disbursements - i.e. payments made to others on your behalf such as search fees, Land Registry fees, Stamp Duty Land Tax etc.

 

The Fee Examples below show which amounts attract VAT and the amounts involved.

 

We reserve the right to increase our standard fee if the matter becomes unusually time-consuming or complex or, of course, if the nature of our instructions changes - e.g. if you ask us to carry out additional work.

 

Please note that our fees do not include time spent for any face-to-face meetings you may require. Any such attendances will incur an additional fee which will be charged at the relevant fee earner’s hourly rate - please see the hourly rate section of our Terms and Conditions of Business for further details.

 

If, for any reason, your sale or purchase become abortive, you will be responsible for payment of our fees and disbursements incurred to that date calculated on a time basis at the relevant fee earner’s hourly rate - please see the hourly rate section of our Terms and Conditions of Business for further details.

 

Services included in our Fee

 

The Standard Fee Scale below includes all the usual work required to complete the sale or purchase of your property. The Additional Fees will be applied in the circumstances mentioned below. As above, all our fees are subject to VAT which will be added at the prevailing rate.

 

Specifically, the usual work we will carry out on a sale and purchase will include the following:

 

Sale

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The work we will do for you within our fee will consist of the following:

 

(a) drafting and negotiating the sale contract

(b) negotiating the transfer document

(c) replying to preliminary enquiries raised by the buyer’s conveyancers

(d) proceeding to exchange of contracts and then completion of the sale

(e) transferring funds by telegraphic transfer to redeem the mortgage (if any)

(f)  accounting to you for any net proceeds of sale.

 

Purchase

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(a) investigating the title to the property, to include:

        (i) carrying out searches with respect to title and local government information for the property;

       (ii) reviewing replies given by the seller to pre-contract enquiries;

(b) negotiating the purchase contract

(c) negotiating the transfer document

(d) advising you in respect of your mortgage offer (if applicable)

(e) preparing a Property Report for your consideration before contracts are exchanged

(f) proceeding to exchange of contracts and then completion of the purchase

(g) transferring funds by bank transfer to the seller’s solicitors

(h) calculating any stamp duty land tax (SDLT) payable and preparing and submitting the appropriate SDLT forms to HMRC

(i) registering the transfer and the mortgage (if any) at the Land Registry

 

Key Stages and Timescale

 

The work we will do for you as set out above lists in order the key stages of a typical transaction.

 

Each case is different and the timescale depends upon a number of factors and, in particular, how quickly the other parties’ conveyancers respond to us; how long it takes for searches to be processed by the relevant authorities; how long it takes for any mortgage offer to be received and how many parties there are in the chain. Typically, however, a sale or purchase takes 8-12 weeks but we will liaise with you during the process and explain likely timescales as the transaction progresses.

 

Who will deal with the matter?

 

Your transaction will be handled by either Harry Alexander or Ella Jobbins, both members of our specialist property team. Harry is a solicitor who qualified in 2010 and is Head of our Property Department. Ella is specialist residential conveyancer with over 10 years’ experience in residential conveyancing, having gained a distinction in her CILEX Level 6 Certificate in Conveyancing. Please refer to the Our Team page for their profiles.

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