Whether you’re buying or selling a property, hiring a conveyancer is a crucial step to help you navigate the legal intricacies of your property transaction. By taking care of the legal side of proceedings, a skilled conveyancer can take the pain out of the process, ensuring a smooth and secure transaction.
Having said that, sadly there are many sub-par conveyancers out there, so knowing what to look out for when you come to choosing your legal representation is essential.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide, to help you steer clear of common mistakes people make when hiring a solicitor and ensure you choose the right conveyancer to deal with your property transaction.
Not Researching Thoroughly
One of the most common mistakes people buying or selling a property make is hiring a conveyancer without conducting thorough research first.
This is the equivalent of picking a random number out of a hat and with so many substandard conveyancers out there, failure to do any research means your chances of hiring a bad one are pretty high.
It’s vital that you look beyond the first option you come across and instead look at several conveyancing solicitors. Once you’ve highlighted some potential options, check their credentials and read client reviews to get a gauge on the level of service you can expect to receive.
Basing Decision Purely On Cost
We get it, it’s tempting to go with the cheapest option you can find to try and save as much money as you can. After all, conveyancing can set you back quite a bit. However, taking a punt on the cheapest option rarely pays off and in most cases it can actually end up costing you more money in the long run.
When all is said and done, quality and expertise matters. The old adage “you get what you pay for” most definitely rings true with conveyancing and a cheap conveyancer might cut corners, leading to delays or complications.
In a worst-case scenario, a particularly bad delay could see your transaction fall through, meaning the keys to that dream home eventually end up in the hands of someone else, which you obviously don’t want!
Failing to Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful conveyancing process. Don’t make the mistake of not clearly expressing your needs, concerns or timelines to your conveyancer. A lack of communication can lead to misunderstandings and unnecessary stress.
Neglecting the No Sale, No Fee Option
While it’s not something you’ll want to worry about too much, the truth is that property transactions can fall through for a variety of reasons. This is why it sometimes pays to hire a company that offers a no sale, no fee arrangement.
This agreement means you’re protected and won’t have to pay the solicitor’s fees if the property transaction falls through. Failure to hire a conveyancer that offers this protection can turn out to be a costly mistake in the unfortunate event that the sale doesn’t go ahead as planned.
Not Checking Hidden Costs
Another common mistake people make when hiring a conveyancer is failing to check any hidden costs. This is particularly common with disbursement charges, which some of the less transparent conveyancers might not mention initially, only to hit their clients with these unexpected costs later on.
This can catch you off guard and mean that your conveyancing fees end up costing you much more than first thought. So be sure to ask about any extra costs or hidden fees before you commit.
Not Checking Credentials
Although unqualified solicitors are quite rare, they do exist. So you’ll want to give these companies a wide berth as hiring conveyancers who lack the necessary credentials can leave you exposed to a wealth of risks.
In the UK, all conveyancers should be regulated and licensed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). So be sure to check that the firm you’re considering is suitably accredited or this is one oversight you may live to seriously regret.
Not Clarifying Timescales
Property transactions involve a lot of variables, which is why they can vary in length. Some transactions can take weeks while others may go on for months. This is why it’s essential to clarify timescales with your conveyancer.
Failing to do so can lead to frustration and misunderstandings if your expectations aren’t met.
Not Seeking Recommendations
Lastly, don’t hesitate to seek recommendations from friends, family or colleagues who have undergone property transactions in the past. Personal referrals can lead you to experienced and reliable conveyancers so be sure to ask around.
So those are the main pitfalls to watch out for when you come to hiring a conveyancer. Buying or selling a property can be stressful enough, so don’t add to your worries by taking a gamble on your legal representation. Follow these steps and your transaction should be in safe hands.
