Timescales and Process
Timescales can vary dramatically depending on a number of factors some of which are outside of our control. The average freehold transaction to exchange of contracts ranges between 8-10 weeks with an average leasehold to exchange of contracts transaction ranging between 12-14 weeks. The average time between exchange and completion is 2 weeks making the total average for a freehold transaction 10-12 weeks and a leasehold transaction 12-14 weeks
It can be quicker or slower depending on the parties position in the chain and if there is additional work involved. For example, a probate transaction could take 4 weeks once the Grant of Probate has been granted. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires a Lease Extension this could take significantly longer as there will be negotiation between three parties; the landlords solicitors, the sellers solicitors and your solicitors.
| Sale and Purchase fixed fees | |||
| Property Value | Legal Fee | VAT | Total |
| £0 – 500,000.00 | £1,500.00 | £300.00 | £1,800.00 |
| £500,000.01 – £750,000.00 | £1,750.00 | £350.00 | £2,100.00 |
| £750,000.01 – £1,000,000.00 | £1,875.00 | £375.00 | £2,250.00 |
| £1,000,000.01 – £1,250,000.00 | £2,250.00 | £450.00 | £2,700.00 |
| £1,250,000.01 – £2,000,000.00 | £2,500.00 | £500.00 | £3,000.00 |
| £2,000,000.01 – £6,000,000.00 | 0.175% of the value of the property | ||
| Legal Fee | VAT | Total | |
| Acting for mainstream residential mortgage lender | £295.00 | £59.00 | £354.00 |
| Acting for mainstream Buy to Let mortgage lender | £395.00 | £79.00 | £474.00 |
| Remortgage Fees for mainstream lender | |||
| Property Value | Legal Fee | VAT | Total |
| £0-£500,000.00 | £975.00 | £195.00 | £1,170.00 |
| £500,000.01-£1,000,000.00 | £1,200.00 | £240.00 | £1,440.00 |
| £1,000,000.01-£1,500,000.00 | £1,500.00 | £300.00 | £1,800.00 |
Some lenders have significant conditions with which to comply which require additional work to be carried out on their behalf. In these circumstances, we reserve the right to make an additional charge. Any additional fees will be discussed with you before being incurred.
Lenders using online portals such as LMS or ULS charge a fee of £35.00 plus VAT of £7.00, totalling £42.00 per mortgage transaction. This fee will be charged to you once we accept mortgage instructions from your lender. If your lender is not on either of these online portals, then you will not be charged this fee.
There are occasions when additional work may arise over and above that is normally envisaged. In such circumstances, we may have to make additional charges, which will be an additional fixed fee agreed with you or based on hourly charges. We will not commence additional work without first notifying you. This work may include, but is not limited to, multiple titles, complex titles, complex managing agent structures, defects in title and removal of restrictions.
Our fees assume that:
- This is a standard transaction, and no unforeseen matters arise including, for example, but not limited to, a defect in title which requires remedying prior to completion, or the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction.
- All parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation.
| Standard Additional Legal Fees | |||
| The price that you will pay for our services will be affected by a number of factors. Obviously, all cases are different and we will try our best to inform you as soon as we become aware of any issue that might have an impact on the estimated fee. Below are additional fees that can be incurred depending upon your transaction. | |||
| Fee | VAT | Total | |
| Arranging Indemnity Insurance | £45.00 | £9.00 | £54.00 |
| Company Purchase Supplement | £350.00 | £70.00 | £420.00 |
| Deed of Covenant | £250.00 | £50.00 | £300.00 |
| Licence to Assign (standard) | £250.00 | £50.00 | £300.00 |
| Deed of Trust (for a Standard Trust Deed) | £250.00 | £50.00 | £300.00 |
| Help to Buy ISA | £ 50.00 | £10.00 | £60.00 |
| Dealing with Third Party Lawyers | £250.00 | £50.00 | £300.00 |
| Drafting additional contract package contract race | £250.00 | £50.00 | £300.00 |
| Lawyer Check | £ 45.00 | £9.00 | £54.00 |
| Leasehold Supplement | £300.00 | £60.00 | £360.00 |
| New Build Supplement | £500.00 | £100.00 | £600.00 |
| Notice to complete | £150.00 | £30.00 | £180.00 |
| Properties under the Building Safety Act 2022 | £500.00 | £100.00 | £600.00 |
| Purchase of freehold interest in share of freehold | £250.00 | £50.00 | £300.00 |
| Shared Ownership supplement | £250.00 | £50.00 | £300.00 |
| Statutory Declaration / Statement of Truth | £250.00 | £50.00 | £300.00 |
| Preparation and submission of Stamp Duty Land Tax Return | £125.00 | £25.00 | £150.00 |
| Unregistered Land supplement | £500.00 | £100.00 | £600.00 |
| Preparation and Service of Notice of Transfer or Charge | £40.00 | £8.00 | £48.00 |
| Servicing of service charge retentions | £100.00 | £20.00 | £120.00 |
| Expedited Completion | £150.00 | £30.00 | £180.00 |
| Occupiers Consent Form | £50.00 | £10.00 | £60.00 |
| Gifted deposit (per gift) | £100.00 | £20.00 | £120.00 |
| Archived file retrieval | £65.00 | £13.00 | £78.00 |
| Standard ID & AML Verification | £40.00 | £8.00 | £48.00 |
| Enhanced ID & AML Verification | £200.00 | £40.00 | £240.00 |
| Disbursements | |||
| Fee | VAT | Total | |
| Land Registry Title Documents (per document) | £3.00 | £0.60 | £3.60 |
| Land Registry Official Search with Priority | £3.00 | £0.60 | £3.60 |
| Bankruptcy Search (per name) | £2.00 | £0.40 | £2.40 |
| Pre-exchange Searches (average) | £350.00 | £70.00 | £420.00 |
| Leasehold/Freehold Management Pack (average) | £300.00 | £60.00 | £360.00 |
| Land Registry Registration Fee | This is dependant on the type of transaction and the value of the property. Please see the Fees Calculator: https://fee-calculator.landregistry.gov.uk/ | ||
| Stamp Duty Land Tax | This is dependant on the purchase price and personal circumstances, including if you are purchasing in a company. You can calculate your Stamp Duty for a property in England using the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax | ||
Experience and qualifications of the team:
Patrick Pulsford:
Patrick is a Partner in the firm. He was admitted as a Solicitor in 1975 and has undertaken work in this area since admission. His hourly charge rate is £375.00 plus VAT at 20% of £75.00 totalling £450.00 per hour.
Sara Sinker
Sara is a Partner and Head of Residential Conveyancing in the firm. She was admitted as a Solicitor in 1982 and has undertaken work in this area since admission. Her hourly charge rate is £350.00 plus VAT at 20% of £70.00 totalling £420.00 per hour.
Ivor Levy
Ivor is a senior Consultant in the firm. He was admitted as a Solicitor in 1976 and has undertaken work in this area since admission. His hourly charge rate is £350.00 plus VAT at 20% of £70.00 totalling £420.00 per hour.
Michael Rees
Michael is a consultant in the firm. He was admitted as a Solicitor in 1975 and has undertaken work in this area since admission as a Solicitor. He has practised as a Licenced Conveyancer since 1999. His hourly charge is £350.00 plus VAT at 20% of £70.00 totalling £420.00 per hour.
Graham Seers
Graham is a Consultant in the firm. He was admitted as a Solicitor in 1984 and has undertaken work in this area since admission. His hourly charge rate is £325.00 plus VAT at 20% of £65.00 totalling £390.00 per hour.
Adam Urwin
Adam is a Solicitor in the firm. He was admitted in 2024 and originally worked across Residential Conveyancing and Private Client. He now works exclusively within Residential Conveyancing. His hourly charge rate is £225.00 plus VAT at 20% of £45.00 totalling £270.00 per hour.
Lisa Thornhill
Lisa is a Solicitor in the firm. She was admitted in 2014 and has undertaken work in this area since admission. Her hourly charge rate is £275.00 plus VAT at 20% of £55.00 totalling £330.00 per hour.
Punam Syan
Punam is a Licenced Conveyancer having qualified in 2019. She has worked in conveyancing since 2000 and her hourly charge rate is £250.00 plus VAT at 20% of £50.00 totalling £300.00 per hour.
Jasmine Vyas
Jasmine is a Conveyancing Executive in the firm and has worked in conveyancing since 1990. Her hourly charge rate is £200.00 plus VAT at 20% of £40.00 totalling £240.00 per hour.