The Journey
From quote to completion.
The six stages of a residential conveyancing transaction, and what happens at each one.
Stage 01 · Day one
Get your quote
Tell us whether you are buying, selling or both and the property value. You get a fixed-fee residential conveyancing quote with the legal fees, disbursements and government fees itemised separately.
- Fixed fee, itemised in full
- No obligation to instruct
- No completion, no fee
Stage 02 · Days 1–3
Instruct your conveyancer
Happy with the quote? You confirm your instructions and we send your client care pack. We complete identity and anti-money-laundering checks, which the law requires before any legal work can begin.
- A named residential conveyancing lawyer
- ID and AML checks handled digitally
- Client care pack sent to you
Stage 03 · Weeks 1–3
Legal work begins
If you are selling, we prepare the draft contract and title pack. If you are buying, we review the contract, examine the title and check the lease where the property is leasehold.
- Draft contract prepared or reviewed
- Title examined at the Land Registry
- Leasehold documents checked
Stage 04 · Weeks 2–8
Searches and enquiries
We carry out the property searches — local authority, drainage and water, and environmental — and raise enquiries with the other side on anything the contract, title or searches reveal.
- Local authority, drainage and environmental searches
- Enquiries raised and answered
- Mortgage offer and survey reviewed
Stage 05 · On agreement
Exchange of contracts
Once everyone is satisfied and the completion date is agreed, contracts are exchanged and your deposit is paid. This is the point at which the transaction becomes legally binding on both sides.
- Completion date fixed
- Deposit paid to us
- Legally binding from this moment
Stage 06 · Completion day
Completion
Funds are transferred, the keys are released and the property is yours. We then deal with Stamp Duty Land Tax where it applies and register your ownership at HM Land Registry.
- Funds transferred and keys released
- Stamp Duty submitted for you
- Ownership registered at HM Land Registry
Timings are typical ranges rather than guarantees — every chain is different, and we will always tell you where yours stands.