How Much Are Solicitor Fees for Buying a House

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in SEO for Solicitors. This guide explains typical solicitor fees for buying a house in the UK.

When buying a house, one of the most common questions people ask is how much they can expect to pay in solicitor fees. These costs can vary depending on the property price, location, and whether you are buying with a mortgage or as a cash buyer. Understanding how solicitor fees work helps you budget accurately and avoid unexpected surprises during the conveyancing process. This article breaks down what solicitor fees typically include, the average costs, and what factors affect the total price.

What solicitor fees cover when buying a house

Solicitor fees for buying a house include all the legal work involved in transferring ownership from the seller to the buyer. This process is known as conveyancing. Your solicitor or licensed conveyancer will manage several key steps to ensure the transaction is legally sound and compliant.

Typical tasks covered by solicitor fees include:

• Conducting property searches (local authority, drainage, environmental, etc.)

• Reviewing contracts and raising enquiries with the seller’s solicitor

• Checking property title deeds and ownership details

• Managing deposit transfers and mortgage documentation

• Handling Stamp Duty Land Tax submission and payments

• Completing final legal checks before exchanging contracts and completion

Your solicitor acts as both legal advisor and transaction coordinator, ensuring all parties—buyers, sellers, lenders, and estate agents—stay informed throughout the process.

Typical solicitor fees for buying a house in the UK

The total solicitor fees for buying a house generally range from £800 to £2,000, depending on the property’s value and complexity of the transaction. These costs are usually split into two parts: legal fees and disbursements.

1. Legal fees:
This is what your solicitor charges for their professional services. Most firms either charge a fixed fee or a percentage of the property value. The average fee is between £600 and £1,200 for a standard freehold purchase, but leasehold or shared ownership properties may cost more due to additional paperwork.

2. Disbursements:
These are third-party costs paid on your behalf to complete necessary legal checks. Disbursements can include:

• Local authority searches (£200–£300)

• Land Registry fee (£20–£910 depending on property price)

• Bank transfer fees (£20–£50)

• Stamp Duty Land Tax (variable based on purchase price)

• ID verification checks (£10–£30 per person)

Your solicitor will provide a full breakdown of disbursements before starting the process so you know exactly what to expect.

Factors that affect solicitor costs

Several elements influence how much you’ll pay in solicitor fees when buying a house:

Property value: More expensive properties often involve more complex paperwork and higher Land Registry fees.

Leasehold vs freehold: Leasehold properties usually incur higher costs because solicitors must review additional lease documents and liaise with managing agents or freeholders.

Location: Fees vary regionally. Solicitors in London or major cities tend to charge more than those in smaller towns or rural areas.

Mortgage requirements: If you are buying with a mortgage, your solicitor must also act for your lender, ensuring all conditions are met. This may add to the cost.

Speed of transaction: Urgent or fast-track conveyancing can attract additional fees, as your solicitor may need to prioritise your case.

Fixed-fee vs hourly-rate conveyancing

Most modern conveyancing solicitors offer fixed-fee pricing for buying a house. This provides certainty and transparency, helping buyers plan their budgets confidently. Fixed fees cover all standard legal work, but extra charges may apply if complications arise, such as boundary disputes, unregistered land, or delays caused by other parties.

Hourly rates are less common in residential conveyancing but may apply in unusual or high-value transactions. Always confirm what is included in your quote and whether any additional charges could arise before proceeding.

Additional costs to consider

Beyond solicitor fees, homebuyers should also budget for other related costs, such as:

• Mortgage arrangement or valuation fees

• Survey costs (homebuyer’s report or full structural survey)

• Insurance and moving expenses

• Stamp Duty Land Tax (for properties over the tax threshold)

Solicitors often manage Stamp Duty payments directly on your behalf, ensuring everything is filed and paid correctly after completion.

How to choose the right solicitor for conveyancing

When comparing conveyancing quotes, avoid choosing purely based on price. Look for transparency, responsiveness, and experience with similar transactions. Reputable solicitors provide clear communication, regular updates, and realistic timelines.

It’s also worth checking client reviews and whether the firm is accredited by the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS). Accreditation indicates a commitment to professional standards and efficient property transactions.

Ask questions before you commit, such as:

• Are all disbursements included in the quote?

• How will I be updated on progress?

• Will the same solicitor handle my case throughout?

• What happens if the sale falls through?

Many solicitors offer “no move, no fee” options, meaning you won’t pay legal fees if the purchase doesn’t complete.

Why transparency in solicitor fees matters

Clear and transparent pricing helps build client confidence and reduces misunderstandings. Some buyers are put off by hidden costs or last-minute charges, which can damage a solicitor’s reputation. Firms that present fees upfront and communicate regularly are more likely to receive positive reviews and referrals.

From a marketing perspective, transparent pricing also helps with SEO and conversions. Potential clients searching online for “how much are solicitor fees for buying a house” are more likely to contact firms that provide straightforward answers.

How Lillian Purge helps solicitors attract conveyancing clients

At Lillian Purge, we help solicitors grow their conveyancing business through targeted SEO, PPC, and content marketing strategies. We identify the keywords and search terms that attract homebuyers, such as “solicitor fees for buying a house,” and optimise your website to capture that demand.

Our approach focuses on trust-building and lead generation, ensuring your law firm stands out in a competitive property market. From optimised service pages to local search visibility, we help conveyancing solicitors turn online searches into long-term client relationships.

You may also want to read how to instruct a solicitor when buying a house and when do you pay solicitors fees when buying a house, plus visit our Solicitors Hub.