You’ve agreed a price, now what? Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from seller to buyer, and it applies to you whether you’re selling or buying through Bettermove. It’s one of the least understood parts of moving home, yet it has more impact on your timeline than almost anything else. This guide demystifies the process for both parties and tells you exactly what your solicitor is doing, and what you can do to help them go faster.
What is conveyancing?
Conveyancing covers all the legal work needed to buy or sell a property. For sellers, it means preparing the title, answering buyer enquiries, and coordinating the transfer of deeds. For buyers, this includes checking the title, running searches (local authority, environmental, drainage), reviewing the contract, raising enquiries, and managing the transfer of funds. Both buyers and sellers need their own separate solicitor, they cannot share one.
Bettermove’s recommended solicitors
Over many years, Bettermove has built working relationships with a panel of trusted, reputable solicitors who understand how we operate and what our clients need. These are not general high-street firms, they are conveyancers who are experienced in working proactively, making things happen, and operating under pressure to tight timescales. They know how to prioritise, how to chase, and how to get transactions over the line quickly without cutting corners. Whether you are selling or buying through Bettermove, we can recommend a solicitor from our panel. We strongly advise taking up that recommendation. Using a solicitor who is already familiar with our process, our team, and the pace we work at is one of the most effective things you can do to protect your timeline and ensure a smooth, quick completion.
How long does conveyancing take?
On average, conveyancing takes 8 to 12 weeks in England and Wales. However, cash sales with straightforward titles can complete in 2 to 4 weeks. Leasehold properties, complex chains, and disputed ownership can push this to 6 months or more. The main delays tend to be: slow local authority searches (3 to 8 weeks in some areas), unanswered enquiries, and mortgage lender requirements.
💡 Speed tip: If you’re buying with Bettermove, ask about our recommended conveyancers. They’re experienced with quick completions and have direct lines of contact with our progression team, which can cut several weeks off the process.
What searches are run?
Local authority search: planning history, road schemes, and local notices. Environmental search: flood risk, contaminated land, and ground stability. Water and drainage search: confirms mains connections. These searches protect the buyer but add time. In some areas, local authority searches can take up to 8 weeks, though indemnity insurance can be used instead for cash buyers willing to accept the risk.
What does conveyancing cost?
Typical solicitor fees for a straightforward sale or purchase range from £800 to £1,800 plus VAT, plus disbursements (search fees, Land Registry fees, bank transfer charges). Leasehold transactions tend to cost more due to additional complexity. Beware of solicitors who quote unusually low headline fees, they often add on significant disbursement charges. Always ask for a full quote including all disbursements.
Exchange vs completion, what’s the difference?
Exchange of contracts is the point at which the transaction becomes legally binding. Both parties sign identical contracts and the buyer pays a deposit (typically 10%). After exchange, neither party can pull out without significant financial penalty. Completion is when the remaining funds transfer and the keys are released. The gap between exchange and completion is agreed by both parties, it can be the same day, or weeks later.
“The difference between a good conveyancer and a bad one isn’t just price, it’s how proactively they chase things. A good solicitor is always the one calling, never the one being chased.”
Rory, Bettermove Operations Manager
How to choose a conveyancer
Look for a firm that: is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), has experience with your property type (leasehold, new build, cash sale), offers a dedicated point of contact rather than a general inbox, provides a full fee quote upfront, and has good recent reviews on Google or Trustpilot. Bettermove can recommend vetted conveyancers based on your property location and circumstances.
Ready to take the next step?
Speak to the Bettermove team for free, personalised advice. No obligation, no pressure.