Buying a home is a major life milestone—and while exhilarating, it often involves complex legal work. Knowing how to choose a conveyancing solicitor or who to trust when choosing a conveyancer can mean the difference between a smooth, stress-free transaction and a protracted legal saga.
At ONP Solicitors, we’ve assisted over 80,000 clients since 1987, so we understand what truly matters. Here’s an expert guide to help you find the right legal partner for your home purchase.
What is conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership. It includes a series of critical steps designed to ensure your purchase is secure, legal, and on track.
- Contract review and preparation: Your solicitor checks all agreements, disclosures, and terms.
- Property searches: These include local authority searches, environmental checks, water/drainage, and title investigations.
- Mortgage coordination: Your solicitor liaises with your mortgage lender on valuations, offers, and documentation.
- Exchange and completion: The official transfer of ownership—when contracts are exchanged, and keys are released.
- Post-completion duties: Payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax, title registration with Land Registry, and final reporting.
Need more detail? Explore our full Conveyancing services page to understand how each stage works and where ONP adds value.
Why carefully choosing a conveyancer matters
Your conveyancer guides you legally through one of the most significant financial transactions you’ll ever make. Picking the right one ensures:
- Legal protection: Errors in contracts or title deeds can cost thousands or risk the sale altogether.
- Efficient timelines: Delays in searches or mortgage coordination can make your purchase slip or fall through.
- Clear communication: Staying informed reduces stress—especially during busy conveyancing processes.
That’s why choosing a conveyancer with proven expertise, trustworthiness, and clarity is essential. Below are key criteria to guide you.
Accreditation and expertise
Always verify professional credentials.
- Law Society or CQS accreditation: These certifications reflect high quality and adherence to professional standards. ONP is proudly certified under the Conveyancing Quality Scheme.
- Specialist experience: Look for solicitors who focus solely on residential conveyancing.
- Handling complex cases: Chains, leaseholds, or new builds bring unique issues—ensure your solicitor has a track record of managing these.
Check client feedback and case studies—ONP’s range of successful cases gives you peace of mind.
Transparent fees
Conveyancing costs can add up quickly, but transparency helps you budget confidently:
- Fixed-fee pricing: This covers legal work, searches, Land Registry fees, and administrative costs.
- ‘No completion, no fee’ policy: You only pay if the sale completes.
- Detailed breakdown: Understand which payments go where—e.g., mortgage lender disbursements, electronic transfers, Stamp Duty.
ONP offers fixed-fee conveyancing packages and an easy breakdown of costs on our website. See our Conveyancing costs breakdown for more information.
Communication and accessibility
A modern conveyancing solicitor should offer both human connection and digital convenience:
- Regular client contact: Updates via phone, email, or secure messaging.
- Online portals: Track progress, ask questions, and share documents in real time.
At ONP, you get a secure app for 24/7 case tracking—making it easy to stay informed without unnecessary stress.
Ask these key questions
When enquiring, use these questions to assess:
- “How long have you specialised in residential conveyancing?”
- “Are your fees fixed, and what exactly is included?”
- “How will you communicate throughout the process?”
- “Can you manage complications like leasehold issues, chain delays, or missing paperwork?”
- “Do you provide an online portal or app for tracking?”
Their answers should feel clear, confident, and tailored to your needs. You can browse our FAQs to see what sort of questions we recommend asking your prospective solicitor.
Understanding the conveyancing timeline
A typical property purchase timeline looks like this:
- Solicitor instruction – Immediately after your offer is accepted.
- Property searches & survey – Usually 2–3 weeks.
- Mortgage approval – Typically within 2–4 weeks.
- Exchange of contracts – Often 6–10 weeks in.
- Completion – Usually 1–2 weeks after exchange.
Keep in mind, variables like chain complexity, survey findings, or lender delays could extend this. A proactive solicitor flags issues fast and proposes solutions. ONP uses tech and communication to reduce delays wherever possible.
Reputation and reviews
Research what past clients say:
- ONP consistently holds an “Excellent” rating on Trustpilot, reflecting thousands of positive reviews.
- Pay attention to mentions of responsiveness, transparency, and support in challenging cases.
Ask for references or read case stories about sales like yours—especially if you’re in a chain or buying a leasehold property.
Value vs price
Cost matters, but not at the expense of quality. A competent conveyancer adds value by:
- Anticipating and preventing delays or legal issues.
- Keeping you informed—reducing stress and avoidable mistakes.
- Handling all post-completion tasks smoothly.
Even if a conveyancer charges slightly more, quality expertise can prevent delays or incorrect filings that cause expensive setbacks.
Local or national firm?
Think about what suits you best:
- Local firm: In-person meetings, knowledge of regional markets.
- National firm: Broader expertise, digital tools, and economies of scale.
ONP offers both: local insight, national reach, modern infrastructure, and support wherever your journey takes you.
Making your final decision
When you’ve reviewed:
- Their registration, certifications, and reputation
- Fee transparency and policies
- Communication process and digital tools
- Responses to your selection questions
- Timeline estimates and flexibility
—then you’ll be ready to instruct with confidence.
Once you choose, ONP will allocate a dedicated property solicitor within 24 hours and get your move underway.
Why choose ONP Solicitors?
ONP stands out because:
- A CQS-accredited residential conveyancing team
- Thousands of clients served with an “Excellent” Trustpilot rating
- Clear, fixed fees & no-completion guarantees
- 24/7 digital case tracking through our secure app
- Expert handling of chain, leasehold, new build, and re-mortgage scenarios
If you’d like more, browse our Conveyancing services or request a free quote.
Get started with us today
The process of choosing a conveyancer and understanding how to choose a conveyancing solicitor sets the stage for your home purchase experience. By focusing on accreditation, transparent fees, communication, and value, you’ll find a solicitor who protects your interests and understands your needs.
ONP Solicitors is committed to providing legal clarity, support, and confidence every step of the way. When you’re ready to discuss your conveyancing needs, reach out and discover why thousands of home buyers trust us.
Start with a quote or a consultation today, or you can contact us directly to help you move into your next chapter securely and with peace of mind.
