As a house purchase or sale is likely to be one of the largest transactions that you undertake in your lifetime, the choice of professional who is going to assist you with this is a really important decision. Obtaining the best value conveyancer does not necessarily mean the cheapest. Where there is an error in the conveyancing process or omissions which are vital to the property, it could potentially cost you thousands, which makes the process of choosing the best value conveyancer all the more important.
Solicitor or Licensed Conveyancer?
One of the first questions that arise when undertaking the conveyancing process is whether or a solicitor or a conveyancer should be used in order to complete the process. There is no one best answer to this and the decision will depend largely on the individual circumstances, as there will be different requirements, depending on the type of transaction.
It is reasonable to expect that engaging with a solicitor is likely to be more expensive than a conveyancer, but this does not necessarily mean that they are not the best value. By using a law firm, you may find that you have the best of both worlds, with the firm using its own in-house conveyancers to offer value for money, yet being overseen by experienced solicitors, if the transaction becomes more complicated than originally expected.
Value for Money Considerations
When looking at whether or not you’re getting value for money, there are several issues that you need to consider which go far beyond simple price. Firstly, it is valuable to know just how quickly the chosen conveyancing expert will be able to undertake your transaction. Some property purchases and sales are very time-critical, others are not. Where the issue is time-critical, it is important to ensure that your conveyancer is also able to comply with the time-frame. A smaller firm is not necessarily going to be less responsive time-wise, but there is a real danger that, where you are relying on one or two professionals, you may find there is a time delay or lag in communication.
Secondly, the area/location in which you are purchasing or selling, or the nature of the property, can have a direct impact on what is seen to be good value for money. Where there is a specialist need within a geographic location, for example, when you’re looking at purchasing on a green belt or similar, this may have an impact on your property purchase. Different areas will require different searches to be undertaken and again a local solicitor or conveyancer will have a much greater understanding of any issues involved. Cheap online conveyancing may indeed provide you with excellent value for money, but where there is a need for localised knowledge, this could well be a very false economy.
You may also want to check whether the conveyancer has a 24 hr online system that will keep you updated by text or email as the case progresses.
Obtaining value for money is about recognising your needs and matching them appropriately. Cheap is not always good; but, neither is using a “sledgehammer to crack a nut” approach always wise. Take time to evaluate what is important to you, before making the decision on the best value conveyancer for your transaction.