The economic crisis has affected us all in many areas of our lives and this has extended to not only the retail market but also the conveyancing market, including your sale, purchase, re-mortgage or transfer of equity.
People, more than ever, are watching the pennies and for this reason property solicitors and licensed conveyancers are fighting for instructions meaning that it is easier than ever before to find a cheap conveyancing quote both online and locally.
There is also a recent surge of online comparison sites which compare conveyancing quotes – making finding a cheap conveyancing solicitor easier and more accessible than ever.
However, where a service is the cheapest, this does not always mean that you will be getting a good comprehensive service and you should also ensure you have as much information as possible both about the firm and the fees before committing.
This guide provides some of the things you should watch out for and how to find that PERFECT quote.
1. Get more than 1 quote! You should get at least several quotes from a mix of sources and from solicitors local and further away. There are many websites at the moment, which will find and compare cheap conveyancing quotes and these too can provide a variety of quotes.
2. Take time to read the quote! If you have any questions speak to the solicitor/licensed conveyancer who have provided the quote. If there is something you are unsure of you should ask now before you instruct the firm formally.
3. Watch out for hidden Fees! Although this is not the case with ALL firms, some will have hidden fees, which are in the small print of the quote and which you must look closely for. If you spot anything – ask them if this will refer to you.
4. Get the Full Quote in Writing. Ensure you get a full quote in writing; sometimes extra fees are unavoidable and cannot be foreseen at the beginning of the transaction. However it is important to get the most accurate quote possible.
5. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Conveyancing can be a confusing process for most people so do not be afraid to ask too many questions.
Where a firm is co-operative and willing to help you at this early stage this is normally indicative of the customer service you will receive during the transaction.
The most important thing to keep in mind is make sure you are comfortable with your solicitor and you are happy with the initial service received before you instruct a firm.