Choosing the right solicitor

Keatons are introducing regular blog posts written by senior experts from the Keatons team. Our latest post is written by Nick Verdi (Sales expert) and Simon Jackson (Lettings expert). 

Question: Should I go for the cheapest solicitor I can find on the internet?

Simon Jackson, Head of Lettings:

I think a common misconception is to purchase from the cheapest company when shopping online. When it comes to a product then there is logic in this notion, however when a service is required price should fall behind areas such as expertise and knowledge.

 I would look through the case studies/testimonials that should be on the solicitors' website, this will give you a flavour of their clients' views on experience and case handling. I would check out some review pages as often customers/the public prefer to post via social platforms and so on (this often proves a less manufactured review). Above all, pick up the phone and speak to a few as, after all, you will be liaising with them personally and you need to ensure you ‘hit it off’.

Solicitors tend not to spend masses on advertising and most of their business is recommendation, particularly solicitors specialising in residential property. Therefore, before making your decision, speak to your friends and family as I expect most of them will have encountered one at some stage; hopefully it was a positive experience (and in the area that you are looking for assistance in) and only then would I worry about the cost.

 Nick Verdi, Sales expert:

There is a common assumption that the job one solicitor does is exactly the same as another and there is no difference in ‘quality’ between them. Wrong! They will all follow a very similar protocol, especially when you are taking out a mortgage (it’s worth noting that if you buy a property and obtain a mortgage, your solicitor has a duty to act in your best interests, as well as the interests of your mortgage lender and is likely to have to follow strict guidelines). However, in my experience, there is a gulf in quality between conveyancing solicitors, and the differences can mean losing your dream home, or even worse, buying a home you would be wise to steer clear of.

Buying and selling properties (particularly older ones) will always throw up issues which your solicitor will need to act on, and more importantly offer advice. For example: damp, subsidence, boundary disputes, lack of bulking regulations, lack of planning permission etc.  Aside from your estate agent, your solicitor will also be your main point of communication with your respective buyer and/or seller. An experienced and considered approach opposed to someone refusing to take calls and taking weeks to respond to other parties in the chain is often the difference between a successful sale and aborted transaction.

For virtually anyone who buys a property, it will be the single most expensive thing you ever commit to in your life; so why would you choose the cheapest advisor you can find on the internet?

There are some very good and very bad solicitors and, in my experience, the fees don’t necessarily correlate with the quality. A cheap firm you find on the internet may be very good, but they may be very bad. I would suggest taking advice from friends, family work colleagues and your estate agent to try and find an experienced solicitor that will help you through what can be a very stressful time.