How Much Are Solicitor Fees for Buying a House?
Transparent, VAT-inclusive pricing for residential conveyancing. Our average solicitor fees for buying a house start from £1,140. Whether you are buying or selling, we publish typical conveyancing fees upfront — no hidden charges, no surprises.
The cost of conveyancing depends on your property price and transaction type. Our solicitor or conveyancer will provide a written quote before any work begins. We comply with SRA Transparency Rules and explain what is included in our legal fees and what may not be.
Our Fees
Typical Legal Fees
The fees below are indicative. All fees shown are inclusive of VAT at 20%. Your exact written quote will be provided before any work commences. Fees may vary depending on the complexity of your individual matter.
Sale of Residential Property
| Service | Our Fee |
|---|---|
| Legal fee (up to £250,000) | From £1,020 inclusive of VAT |
| Legal fee (£250,001–£500,000) | From £1,260 inclusive of VAT |
| Legal fee (£500,001–£1,000,000) | From £1,620 inclusive of VAT |
| Legal fee (over £1,000,000) | From £2,100 inclusive of VAT |
Purchase of Residential Property
| Service | Our Fee |
|---|---|
| Legal fee (up to £250,000) | From £1,140 inclusive of VAT |
| Legal fee (£250,001–£500,000) | From £1,380 inclusive of VAT |
| Legal fee (£500,001–£1,000,000) | From £1,740 inclusive of VAT |
| Legal fee (over £1,000,000) | From £2,220 inclusive of VAT |
Remortgage
| Service | Our Fee |
|---|---|
| Legal fee | From £780 inclusive of VAT |
Transfer of Equity
| Service | Our Fee |
|---|---|
| Legal fee (no mortgage) | From £900 inclusive of VAT |
| Legal fee (with mortgage) | From £1,140 inclusive of VAT |
Disbursements (Additional Costs)
Disbursements are costs payable to third parties on your behalf. These are in addition to our legal fees and are not within our control. We will itemise all expected disbursements in your written quote before any work begins.
| Disbursement | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) | Calculated on purchase price — use our stamp duty calculator for an instant estimate |
| Land Registry registration fee | Based on purchase price — see Land Registry fee scale |
| Search fees (local authority, drainage, environmental) | Typically £250–£400 |
| Electronic money transfer fee | £42 inclusive of VAT per transfer |
| Land Registry official copies | £3–£6 per document |
| Leasehold supplement (if applicable) | From £240 inclusive of VAT — we will explain this before you commit |
| New build supplement (if applicable) | From £240 inclusive of VAT — we will explain this before you commit |
| Shared ownership supplement (if applicable) | From £240 inclusive of VAT — we will explain this before you commit |
| Help to Buy / equity loan supplement (if applicable) | From £240 inclusive of VAT — we will explain this before you commit |
What is typically included
- Taking your instructions and advising on the transaction
- Reviewing title documents and raising enquiries
- Reviewing and reporting on the mortgage offer (if applicable)
- Exchanging contracts and completing the transaction
- Registering the title at Land Registry
- Submitting SDLT return (purchases)
What may not be included
- Leasehold supplement (if applicable)
- New build supplement (if applicable)
- Help to Buy / shared ownership supplement
- Dealing with defective title or missing documents
- Indemnity insurance premiums
- Additional work arising from complex title issues
We will explain any additional costs before you commit. Nothing is added without your agreement.
Who will handle your matter?
Your conveyancing matter will be handled by a qualified solicitor supervised by a senior partner. You will be informed of the fee earner assigned to your case at the outset. This is a solicitor-led service — you will have one point of contact throughout. You will not be passed between case handlers.
How long will it take?
A straightforward freehold sale or purchase typically takes 8–12 weeks. Leasehold transactions, new builds, or complex chains may take longer. We will provide a case-specific estimate and keep you updated throughout — proactively, not just when you ask.
No Completion, No Fee
In many cases, if your transaction does not complete, you will not be charged our legal fee. Disbursements already incurred (such as search fees) may still be payable. We will explain this before you commit.
Read our No Completion, No Fee policy →Specialist Transaction Supplements
Some transactions involve additional legal work beyond a standard purchase or sale. We charge a supplement for these — confirmed in writing before any work begins.
New Build
From £240 inclusive of VATDeveloper contract review, exchange deadline management, incentive disclosure, NHBC warranty review.
View New Build Conveyancing fees and services →Leasehold
From £240 inclusive of VATLease review, management pack, service charge and ground rent review, freeholder enquiries.
View Leasehold Conveyancing fees and services →Shared Ownership
From £240 inclusive of VATHousing association requirements, lease review, staircasing and resale — all handled by a solicitor.
View Shared Ownership Conveyancing fees →Help to Buy / Equity Loan
From £240 inclusive of VATHomes England consent, equity loan redemption, second charge discharge.
View Help to Buy Conveyancing fees →Calculate your Stamp Duty
Use our free stamp duty calculator to estimate your SDLT — includes first-time buyer relief and additional dwelling surcharge.
Understanding the Average Cost of Conveyancing
When asking "how much for solicitor fees for buying a house," the answer depends on your property price and transaction type. The average solicitor fees for buying a house typically include two components: the solicitor's legal fee and disbursements (third-party costs such as search fees, Land Registry fees and Stamp Duty Land Tax).
Our typical conveyancing fees for a standard freehold purchase up to £250,000 start from £1,140 inclusive of VAT. For a sale, fees start from £1,020 inclusive of VAT. These are the solicitor's legal fees — disbursements are additional. The cost of conveyancing for a purchase also includes search fees (typically £250–£400), Land Registry registration fees (based on the property price), and Stamp Duty Land Tax (calculated on the purchase price).
Whether you use a solicitor or conveyancer, the legal work is broadly the same. However, a solicitor can provide broader legal advice if complications arise — such as boundary disputes, restrictive covenants or title defects. At PDA Law, your transaction is handled by a qualified solicitor throughout, ensuring you receive expert guidance at every stage.
The average conveyancing timeline for a straightforward transaction is 8–12 weeks. Whether you are buying or selling, our solicitor fees when buying are fixed and confirmed in writing before any work begins. We do not add hidden charges once the transaction has started — your exact quote is your exact cost.
The approximate solicitor fees for buying a house also depend on the property price — higher-value properties typically attract higher legal fees. Our fee scale is published above and confirmed in writing before any work begins. Use our online quoting tool for an instant, personalised estimate based on your specific transaction.
Get your personalised quote
Use our online quoting tool or speak directly to a conveyancing solicitor.