Key takeaways

• Conveyancing costs usually include a legal fee, VAT, third party payments called disbursements, and any additional work needed for the property.

• Smithfield Partners publishes base legal fees from £595 plus VAT to £8,000 plus VAT. The applicable fee depends on the purchase or sale price.

• The published example for a £300,000 freehold purchase is £755 legal fee plus £151 VAT, totalling £906 before disbursements or additional work.

• Searches, Land Registry charges and Stamp Duty Land Tax are separate from the legal fee and depend on the transaction.

• Request an itemised written quote so you can see which charges apply to your move.

Conveyancing fees explained

When budgeting to buy or sell a home, the phrase conveyancing fees can cover several different costs. Understanding each part makes it easier to compare quotes and plan for the money you will need before completion. Your exact total depends on the property, the work involved and your circumstances.

This guide explains legal fees, VAT, disbursements and possible extra work using the current figures published by Smithfield Partners. For the complete current fee table, read the firm’s residential conveyancing pricing page and request a written quote for your transaction.

1. The solicitor’s legal fee

The legal fee covers the professional work involved in a sale or purchase. It may include checking title documents, reviewing the contract, handling enquiries, reporting to you, coordinating with your lender where applicable and arranging completion and registration work. The precise work depends on whether you are buying, selling, the property type and any issues identified during the transaction.

Smithfield Partners states that its base legal fee is calculated on a sliding scale according to the sale or purchase price. Its published range is £595 plus VAT (£714 including VAT) to £8,000 plus VAT (£9,600 including VAT). A higher value transaction can therefore have a different base fee from a lower value transaction. Your written quote should confirm the figure that applies to your move.

2. VAT on legal fees

VAT is charged on the legal fee and may also apply to additional services. The published example on the Smithfield Partners pricing page is a freehold purchase at £300,000: the base legal fee is £755, VAT is £151 and the legal fee including VAT is £906. Disbursements and additional work are extra, so £906 is not the full cost of that purchase and is not a fixed quote.

When reviewing a quote, check whether each figure is shown before or after VAT. The firm’s published additional charges are listed excluding VAT, and the quote should explain how tax applies to items relevant to your case.

3. Disbursements and other third party costs

Disbursements are payments to other organisations made on your behalf. They are separate from the solicitor’s legal fee and can vary with the property, its location and the transaction. Depending on the matter, they may include property searches, HM Land Registry fees, pre completion Land Registry and bankruptcy searches, and Stamp Duty Land Tax if it is payable.

Searches

Searches provide information about the property and its surroundings. Which searches are appropriate and what they cost can vary. The results may prompt further questions or investigation, so it is sensible to allow for the possibility that the legal work will depend on what is found.

HM Land Registry fees

Land Registry fees relate to registering ownership or a mortgage and depend on the transaction and property. The amount should be confirmed in your quote. These registration fees are separate from any fee charged by your solicitor for handling the registration work.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

Stamp Duty Land Tax may be due on a purchase in England, depending on the property and the buyer’s circumstances. The tax is separate from the legal fee. Ask your conveyancer to explain whether a return or payment is expected for your transaction and how the relevant amount has been established.

4. Additional work that can affect the total

Some properties or transactions need work beyond a standard sale or purchase. A leasehold or new build purchase can involve further work. Smithfield Partners lists £200 plus VAT for a leasehold purchase and £300 plus VAT for a new build property. These charges apply only when the relevant work is needed. Review the full current table and your own written quote before relying on any amount.

Other listed charges cover matters such as title defects, deeds of variation, second charges, management charges, declarations of trust, Help to Buy schemes and advice on survey reports. Each additional charge is exclusive of VAT. The quote should explain which may apply and what circumstances would trigger them.

5. How costs can differ for buyers and sellers

A buyer may need searches, mortgage related legal work, registration and, where applicable, Stamp Duty Land Tax. A leasehold or new build purchase can involve additional work. A seller may need the solicitor to redeem a mortgage and provide information about the title and property. A sale involving unusual title documents, an unregistered property or unresolved issues can require further work.

If you are buying and selling at the same time, ask whether the quote covers both matters and whether any work is charged separately for each property. If there is a chain, the legal work for each transaction still needs to be completed and coordinated.

How to compare conveyancing quotes fairly

A low headline fee does not always show the full amount you will pay. Compare like with like by checking:

• the legal fee and whether VAT is included

• which searches and other disbursements are included or estimated

• Land Registry fees and any applicable tax

• the extra charges that could apply to your property or mortgage

• whether the quote covers a sale, purchase, or both

• how the firm will explain changes if the work or costs change

Ask for an itemised written quote that separates the legal fee, VAT, disbursements and possible additional work. This helps you understand what is known at the outset and what may depend on the details of the transaction.

Questions to ask before you instruct

• What is the legal fee for my sale or purchase price?

• Is the amount shown inclusive of VAT?

• Which disbursements are included and which will be confirmed later?

• Could my tenure, mortgage, new build status or title lead to additional work?

• How will you tell me if a new issue changes the expected cost?

For current figures, review the Smithfield Partners conveyancing fees and pricing page. To discuss a quote for your move, contact the residential property lawyers at Smithfield Partners.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in a conveyancing quote?

A quote should explain the legal fee, VAT, relevant disbursements and any additional charges that apply. Ask for an itemised breakdown if any part is unclear.

Are searches included in the solicitor’s legal fee?

Searches are payments to third parties and are separate from the legal fee. The searches needed and their cost depend on the property and transaction.

How much is Smithfield Partners’ legal fee?

The published base fee range is £595 plus VAT to £8,000 plus VAT, calculated according to the sale or purchase price. Your written quote confirms the amount that applies to your matter.

What does the £300,000 purchase example include?

The published example shows a £755 base legal fee and £151 VAT, totalling £906 for the legal fee including VAT. It excludes disbursements and additional work and is not a fixed quote.

Will I pay additional conveyancing charges?

Additional charges apply only if the relevant extra work is required. The firm’s published fee table lists possible charges, and your quote should identify which ones may apply to your transaction.

This guide provides general information about conveyancing costs in England and Wales. Costs and tax depend on the property, transaction and your circumstances. Check the firm’s written quote and current pricing page before you instruct.