When Do You Pay Solicitor Fees When Buying a House

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in SEO for Solicitors. This guide explains when to pay solicitors fees when buying a house.

When you buy a house, one of the biggest questions is when you actually need to pay your solicitor’s fees. Conveyancing involves several stages, from initial instruction to completion, and solicitors structure their payments to reflect these milestones. Understanding when payments are due helps buyers budget properly and avoid surprises during what can already be a stressful process. This article explains when solicitors’ fees are typically paid when buying a house, what those fees cover, and how the payment process works from start to finish.

What solicitor fees cover when buying a house

Solicitor fees for buying a property are known as conveyancing costs. They include both the solicitor’s legal fees for managing the transaction and disbursements, which are third-party costs paid on your behalf.

Your solicitor’s legal fees cover tasks such as:

• Reviewing and drafting contracts

• Carrying out local authority and environmental searches

• Handling mortgage paperwork and liaising with lenders

• Managing deposit transfers and exchange of contracts

• Registering ownership with the Land Registry after completion

Disbursements include payments for searches, ID checks, Land Registry fees, and Stamp Duty Land Tax.

When you pay your solicitor during the conveyancing process

The exact payment schedule varies between firms, but most conveyancing solicitors use a three-stage structure: an initial payment when instructed, payment of disbursements during the process, and final settlement on completion.

1. Initial payment or retainer
When you first instruct a solicitor to act on your purchase, they will usually ask for an upfront payment. This is sometimes called an initial deposit or retainer and typically ranges between £200 and £400.

This payment secures their services and covers early costs such as ordering searches and opening your client account. It also shows commitment to the process, which is important for maintaining progress with estate agents and sellers.

2. Disbursements during the process
As your purchase progresses, your solicitor will carry out property searches, ID verification, and mortgage checks. You may be asked to pay for these disbursements as they occur or in advance.

Common disbursement costs include:

• Local authority search (£200–£300)

• Environmental search (£50–£100)

• Land Registry search (£20–£40)

• Bank transfer fees (£20–£50)

Some firms include these in a single quote, while others bill them separately as the work is completed.

3. Final payment on completion
The majority of your solicitor’s fees are due just before completion—the day the property legally becomes yours. Your solicitor will issue a completion statement a few days beforehand outlining the total balance due.

This statement includes:

• The remaining legal fees

• All outstanding disbursements

• The deposit and balance of purchase funds

• Any Stamp Duty Land Tax owed

You must transfer the funds in full before the completion date to allow your solicitor to finalise the transaction and release payment to the seller’s solicitor.

What happens if the sale falls through

If your property purchase falls through before completion, you will usually still be responsible for paying for any work already carried out, such as searches or correspondence with the seller’s solicitor.

Many solicitors offer “no move, no fee” conveyancing options, meaning you only pay disbursements if the sale collapses. This can provide peace of mind, especially in competitive property markets where deals sometimes fail before exchange.

Why most fees are due at completion

Solicitors hold client money in regulated accounts and can only release funds at specific stages. Waiting until completion ensures that all legal checks, contracts, and mortgage conditions have been met before transferring large sums.

This approach protects both buyer and seller. It prevents premature payments and ensures that once funds are released, ownership transfers smoothly, and the property is registered correctly.

How to budget for solicitor fees

When budgeting for a house purchase, factor in solicitor fees early alongside your deposit, mortgage costs, and moving expenses. Most firms provide a written quote at the start of the process, detailing their fees and estimated disbursements.

It’s important to clarify:

• How much is due upfront

• What payments are required during the process

• When the final balance must be cleared

• Whether there are any potential extra costs

Having this information upfront helps you plan payments and avoid last-minute financial pressure.

How solicitors accept payments

Most conveyancing solicitors accept payments by bank transfer or from cleared client accounts. You will receive payment instructions in writing and should verify these carefully to avoid fraud. Always confirm bank details directly with your solicitor before transferring large sums.

Some firms also accept debit card or cheque payments for smaller amounts such as initial deposits, though bank transfers are standard for completion funds.

The importance of clear communication

Your solicitor should keep you informed about payment schedules and provide regular cost updates. Transparency helps avoid confusion and ensures you understand exactly when each payment is required.

If you have concerns about costs or timing, raise them early in the process. A good solicitor will explain each stage clearly and work with you to plan your payments effectively.

Why transparent pricing helps both solicitors and clients

Clear communication about fees not only builds client trust but also improves marketing performance for solicitors. Clients frequently search online for “when do I pay solicitor fees when buying a house,” and firms that answer this question transparently attract more enquiries.

By publishing detailed and accurate information about costs, solicitors demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and confidence in their services.

How Lillian Purge helps solicitors attract conveyancing clients

At Lillian Purge, we help conveyancing solicitors generate consistent leads through optimised website content and local SEO strategies. We identify high-intent keywords like “solicitor fees when buying a house” and create structured service pages that answer common client questions while improving Google rankings.

Our campaigns focus on trust-building, visibility, and lead conversion, helping solicitors attract clients who are ready to proceed with property purchases. Whether you’re a local firm or a national conveyancing practice, we tailor your digital strategy to increase enquiries and strengthen your reputation online.

Learn more: when do you transfer deposit to solicitor and who pays solicitor fees when buyer pulls out. Find all FAQs in our Solicitors Hub.