Choosing Conveyancing Solicitors: Make Or Break Your Move

25 April 2025

Whether you’re buying or selling a property, it’s essential to make sure that the sale is completely legal to protect your interests. Luckily, property conveyancing solicitors can help you make sure the process goes smoothly and properly, preventing you from needing to worry. This allows you to start focusing on other important matters, including preparing for the move. In this guide, you can discover the key information you need to know about conveyancing solicitors and how they can impact the outcome of the conveyancing process.


About Conveyancing

As any homeowner knows, conveyancing is a key process in both purchasing a home and selling a property. Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property between parties. It makes the overall process of buying or selling legally binding, preventing future disputes and complications. A conveyancing solicitor, therefore, helps the process reach completion. 


The Role of a Conveyancing Solicitor

Conveyancing solicitors are there to help with the legal side of buying or selling a property, helping to ensure everything is completed in line with the law and any regulations. Their role is to protect their client’s interests throughout the process, helping to ensure the outcome is satisfactory.


Key Responsibilities

Conveyancing solicitors are responsible for various tasks during the conveyancing process, helping to ensure everything runs smoothly. Conveyancing solicitors will typically handle the contracts, for example, which should include checking over them to make sure they reflect the agreed terms and to negotiate any amendments with the other party’s solicitor when necessary. 


Why the Right Solicitor Matters for Moves

While it might be simple to find a conveyancing solicitor, that doesn’t necessarily mean finding the right conveyancing solicitor is. As buying and selling properties can be a very personal and specific process, you will need a solicitor who can support you adequately and who will act in line with your interests.


Timely Progression Vs. Delays

One of the most important parts of a conveyancing solicitor’s role is to keep things moving. The right solicitor, therefore, will make sure to chase documents, provide you with regular updates, and help to avoid unnecessary delays. They can also handle any unexpected problems that might arise, helping to keep things as on track as possible.


Accuracy in Legal Documentation

In any legal document, accuracy is key. This can prevent future legal issues from occurring, making it important to get it right the first time. A great conveyancing solicitor can identify whether there are issues with a document, allowing you to make decisions accordingly. When a professional conveyancing solicitor identifies mistakes, you have the opportunity to renegotiate costs or reevaluate entirely. 


Proper Communication 

To reduce stress and confusion for all involved, the right conveyancing solicitor will help to keep you informed. Providing much-needed information, these experts should explain the key steps and stages in simple terms, helping you to understand what’s going on and whether anything is required from you. They will handle communication with important third parties too, including speaking to the buyer or seller’s solicitor, estate agents, and mortgage lenders.


Conveyancing Solicitor Red Flags

If you’re looking for a conveyancing solicitor, it’s worth being able to recognise red flags that suggest a certain solicitor might not be suited to you. Read on to discover some of the key signs you should be aware of. 


Lack of Transparency

One of the biggest warning signs to watch out for is a lack of transparency from a potential conveyancing solicitor. If a conveyancing solicitor is not being upfront about their fees or any related costs that might be encountered, you may find yourself surprised by unexpected costs that are outside of your budget.


Inexperience

If you’re looking to buy or sell a specific type of property, it’s important to find a conveyancing solicitor who’s experienced in that building type. If a potential conveyancing solicitor has not assisted with the conveyance of a similar property before, they might not be able to support you effectively.


Impersonal Services

As house moves are not a one-size-fits-all process, it’s important to choose a conveyancing solicitor who won’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Impersonal services are often a red flag, as it’s unlikely that they will be able to assist you with every aspect that you need assistance with, and may be unhelpful when you have questions or need clarification. 


Key Qualities to Look For

If you’re looking for a conveyancing solicitor to help you with buying or selling a property, there are some key qualities to keep in mind that can help you find the right one. This section will guide you through green flags for conveyancing solicitors, helping you to recognise them with ease.


Clear Pricing

It’s important to know what you’re paying for with any service, and conveyancing solicitors are no exception. A professional and trustworthy conveyancing solicitor will outline their pricing accurately and clearly, preventing you from experiencing any unexpected costs later down the line. 


Regulated and Qualified

Licensed conveyancers are important, as they have formal qualifications which give them the knowledge needed to ensure the conveyancing process proceeds smoothly and properly. Using a qualified conveyancing solicitor gives you the confidence that your legal work is being handled accurately and professionally, but also means you can seek support through official channels should something go wrong. 


Local Knowledge

While not a must-have, local knowledge can be invaluable for the conveyancing process. By choosing a local conveyancing solicitor, particularly when buying, you can benefit from their expertise in local buildings and knowledge of local regulations. 


Conveyancing in Torquay

If you need to find a solicitor with expertise in conveyancing, look no further than the team at Almy & Thomas. Qualified and experienced, our conveyancing solicitors offer high-quality services that can make your move simple, whether you’re buying or selling. Visit our website to learn everything you need to know about us and the legal services we offer in Torquay. Alternatively, to arrange a consultation with us, please get in touch with our team directly today. 


by O EVANS 25 February 2025
Almy & Thomas notice that some of our colleagues in other practices do not publish details of their costs specifically relating to the preparation and drafting of Wills and the preparation and application for Lasting Powers of Attorney, which are significant steps in anybody’s day to day life. Almy & Thomas are transparent as to the costs of preparing Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Visit our Costs Page and make an appointment to discuss your requirements with Flis Cotton (Head of Department), Kirsty Neill (Assistant Head) or Sophie Lansdale. They will explain and quote for any work that needs to be undertaken in that respect
12 February 2025
Buying your first home? Discover the essentials of conveyancing, from fees to finding the right solicitor, with this expert guide from Almy & Thomas.
20 December 2024
The office will be closed for the Christmas break from 12:00 Noon on Friday 20th December 2024 and will re-open at 9:00am on Thursday 2nd January 2025. We would like to wish all our current, past and future clients a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
17 December 2024
If you’re about to sign a legally binding contract, then it is important to ensure that all your questions have been answered - read on to find out more.
A row of houses lining a street
by O EVANS 3 December 2024
Are you looking for assistance navigating the buoyant property market? Our expert conveyancing solicitors can help. Get in touch with us today.
by O EVANS 12 November 2024
A news items appears in the Daily Telegraph whereby a widower who has been given a life interest in the family home by his Deceased Wife is challenging the limited benefits of that bequest on the basis that he was married to his Wife for a number of years. To the shock and horror of his family he has made a claim for family provision to seek a capital sum from his Wife’s Estate. This is a timely reminder that your last will and testament is definitely not necessarily the case. You need to make provision in your will for those that should be reasonably within your consideration at the time of your death. To effectively deny your surviving spouse gives rise to a claim for at least 50% of the Deceased’s Estate. We are not sure why the family are horrified that their father would make such a claim.
by O EVANS 7 November 2024
We read with some amusement the recommendation of Martin Lewis to say that a very simple way of mitigating Inheritance Tax is to get married! We are not sure that that dramatic step is the better way of mitigating Inheritance Tax. Our Divorce Department would suggest that it can create as much problems as it solves. The adviser goes on to say that once you have married you can give as much money away as you want without giving rise to a liability for Inheritance Tax. That again is wrong. If you do require advice as to mitigating Inheritance Tax, please contact Mrs. Cotton in our Private Client Department on 01803 299131.
15 October 2024
Learn essential steps to take if involved in a personal injury claim. Discover how Almy & Thomas, personal injury solicitors in Torquay, can assist you.
A woman sits on a sofa, her hands covering her face, expressing a sense of distress
15 October 2024
Explore mediation and court action for resolving family disputes. Understand their differences and how Almy & Thomas can assist you in family law matters.
6 September 2024
There are lots of different types of personal injury claims, where these can be related to your work or to medical malpractice - read on to find out more.
Show More