Conveyancing
Should I Use an Online Conveyancer?
An online conveyancer is often a sensible choice for a straightforward sale or purchase: they are typically cheaper than a high-street solicitor, work longer hours, and give you online case tracking. The trade-offs are less personal contact, large caseloads that can slow communication, and call-centre handling rather than a single named solicitor. For complex transactions — leasehold, probate, unregistered land — a local solicitor you can sit down with may be worth the extra cost.
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- Cheaperusually a lower fixed fee
- 24/7online case tracking
- SRA/CLCregulated either way
- Speedmatters most in a fast sale
The case for going online
Online conveyancing firms handle high volumes, which keeps their fixed fees competitive, and they invest in technology so you can upload documents and track your case through a portal at any hour. For a simple freehold sale with no complications, this is efficient and transparent — you are not paying for a town-centre office, and many operate on a no-sale-no-fee basis that protects you if the deal falls through. They are regulated exactly like any firm, by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
The downsides to weigh
The flip side of high volume is that your file may pass between handlers, and reaching the person dealing with your case can mean queuing in a call centre. There is no office to walk into when something needs explaining face to face. Communication delays are the most common complaint, and in a fast sale a slow conveyancer can be the bottleneck that loses you the buyer. If your transaction is anything other than simple, the lack of a single, accessible point of contact can cost you time and stress.
Online vs local: which suits your sale
| Online conveyancer | Local solicitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Usually lower, fixed fee | Often higher |
| Contact | Portal + call centre | Named solicitor, face-to-face |
| Hours | Often evenings/weekends | Office hours |
| Best for | Simple freehold sales | Leasehold, probate, unregistered land, disputes |
Match the choice to the complexity of your transaction, not just the price.
How to choose either way
Whoever you pick:
- Confirm they are SRA- or CLC-regulated.
- Check they are on your buyer’s (or your lender’s) panel.
- Get an all-inclusive quote — ask about disbursements, searches, leasehold supplements and bank-transfer fees, not just the headline figure.
- Read recent reviews focused on responsiveness and completion times.
- For a quick sale, ask directly how soon they can start and whether they handle expedited completions.
Read our wider guide to conveyancing and conveyancing fees.
Conveyancing in a fast sale
If you are selling to a cash buyer, the conveyancer is usually the single biggest factor in how fast you complete — the buyer has no mortgage or chain to slow things, so the limiting step is the legal work. Instruct early, choose a firm that confirms it can handle an expedited completion, and have your paperwork ready. A genuine cash buyer often pays your legal fees and may recommend a conveyancer experienced in fast transactions.
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Written & reviewed by Lisa Hayes, Founder
Lisa Hayes is the founder of Ready Steady Sell and an independent UK home-selling expert with over a decade helping homeowners weigh cash house buyers, property investors and the wider fast house-sale industry — without pressure or hidden fees. Every guide is reviewed for accuracy under our editorial standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Straight answers, no sales talk
Are online conveyancers cheaper?
Usually, yes — lower overheads and high volumes keep their fixed fees below a typical high-street solicitor, though you should compare all-inclusive quotes rather than headline prices.
Are online conveyancers safe?
A regulated online conveyancer (SRA- or CLC-regulated) is as legally sound as a local firm. The difference is service style and communication, not legal validity.
When should I use a local solicitor instead?
For complex matters — leasehold, probate, unregistered land, disputes or anything unusual — face-to-face advice from a local solicitor can be worth the higher fee.
How much does conveyancing cost?
Typically £800-£1,800 in legal fees plus disbursements (searches, Land Registry fees, bank transfers). Leasehold and unregistered titles cost more. Always get an all-inclusive quote.
Does the conveyancer affect how fast I sell?
Significantly — especially in a chain-free or cash sale, where the legal work is the main variable. A responsive conveyancer who handles expedited completions can save weeks.
Can I use any conveyancer, or must they be on a panel?
For a mortgaged sale or purchase, the conveyancer usually must be on the lender’s approved panel. Always confirm this before instructing to avoid delays or duplicated work.