Conveyancing fees have remained broadly static and in some cases have fallen despite the pressures of workload, SDLT cliff edges, and inflation according to a recent survey of 100 law firms.
Average conveyancing fees for sale have slightly risen – by 0.21% – from £1,187.98 in early 2024 to £1,190.52 inclusive of VAT. Average residential conveyancing fees for a freehold tenured property purchase was £1,256.23 inclusive of VAT; a 0.74% decrease on the same survey 12 months ago.
Now in its 5th year, Property Solvers’ annual research of legal practices (in England and Wales) has revealed the figures which asked firms to outline their conveyancing fee only; free of disbursements and supplementary fees. The quotations also assumed the mortgage was being redeemed (or paid off) or the property was being purchased with a mortgage and property value was never above £300,000 (for both purchase and sale).
While freehold fees actually fell once you take into account inflation, fees for leasehold properties rose by 7.14% for sales, from £1,401.99 in 2024 to £1,505.80 in 2025; and by 6.16% for leasehold property purchases, from £1,491.83 in 2024 to £1,586.65 in 2025. Remortgage fees have risen by 6.80% from £692.92 in 2024 to £741.67 in 2025 based on a secured loan of £225,000 (75% loan to value of £300,000).
After what Property Solver’s describe as ‘aggressive hikes’ in recent years, the research showed ‘fees have stabilised to a certain degree – reflective of a somewhat more subdued inflationary landscape’ said Ruban Selvanayagam of Property Solvers, adding
“Nonetheless, the complexity of leasehold property sales and what we see as the increased hurdles that conveyancers face when dealing with remortgages has seen an understandable increase in fees on these types of transactions.”
At the top end of the scale the research identified firms quoting as much as £2,100 for freehold sales, and £2,340 for purchase; and £3,880 for leasehold sale and purchase. On the other hand prices as low as £600 and £666 were quoted for freehold sales and purchase respectively, and £714 and £780 for leasehold sale and purchase respectively; a figure Selvanayagam suggests is ‘suspiciously cheap’
“Whilst more conveyancing firms are rightfully incorporating AI and other associated efficiencies into their processes, we would generally recommend steering clear of anything below the £500 price point. It’s often the case that such firms are operating a conveyancing-by-numbers approach which means you’re unlikely to be offered the best level of service.”
