What is conveyancing and how much does it cost?
Conveyancing is the legal process that moves a home from one owner to another - and it’s where most buying delays happen. What it covers, what it really costs, and how to choose who does yours.
2 min read · Updated 7 August 2026 · By Dwellmark Editorial
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring a property’s ownership from seller to buyer. It covers everything from the moment your offer is accepted to the day you’re registered as the new owner. A solicitor or a licensed conveyancer handles it for you.
What your conveyancer actually does
- Searches - local authority, drainage/water, environmental and (sometimes) chancel checks against the property
- Title checks - verifying the seller actually owns the property and can sell it
- Enquiries - formal questions to the seller’s solicitor about anything flagged in searches, the title or the forms
- Contract - preparing and checking the contract, including any lease terms if the property is leasehold
- Money handling - holding your deposit, transferring the balance on completion day
- After completion - paying Stamp Duty within 14 days and registering you at HM Land Registry
On the seller’s side the work mirrors this: preparing the property information form (TA6) and fixtures form, responding to enquiries, and proving they can sell. The buyer’s conveyancer does the heavy lifting.
How much does conveyancing cost?
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Conveyancer’s fee (buying) | £800 – £1,500 |
| Conveyancer’s fee (selling) | £700 – £1,200 |
| Local authority search | £100 – £250 |
| Water/drainage search | £40 – £80 |
| Environmental search | £40 – £100 |
| Land Registry fee | £20 – £295 (price-dependent) |
| Bank transfer fee | £30 – £60 |
| Leasehold work (if applicable) | £150 – £400 extra |
How long does it take?
For a straightforward freehold purchase, allow 8–12 weeks from instructing your conveyancer to completion. Leasehold takes longer - the management pack alone can take weeks. Chains, slow searches or difficult sellers can push the total well beyond that.
How to choose a conveyancer
- Check they’re regulated - solicitors by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA); conveyancers by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC)
- Prefer a fixed fee with a written list of what’s included
- Ask who does the work - some firms hand your case to paralegals; that’s fine, but know who you’re dealing with
- Read reviews - look for feedback on communication speed, not just price
- Local isn’t automatic - a good national firm with a portal can beat a local firm that’s overloaded; what matters is responsiveness
Source: Solicitors Regulation Authority - finding a solicitor — Regulator’s consumer guidance
Source: Council for Licensed Conveyancers — Regulator for licensed conveyancers
The buying process, step by stepWhere conveyancing fits in the overall timeline.Which survey do you need?Book the survey in parallel with the legal work.
Sources
- Solicitors Regulation Authority - finding a solicitor — Regulator’s consumer guidance
- Council for Licensed Conveyancers — Regulator for licensed conveyancers