Value Over Cost: How To Choose Your Conveyancers

When it comes to buying and selling residential property, choosing the right Solicitor can be the difference between a smooth, well-communicated sale and a frustratingly slow stumble to the finish line. Emma Gilroy, Director and Head of Residential Property at JCP Solicitors, explains the steps to consider when searching for the best conveyancer for you.

Conveyancing – the legal side of buying and selling residential property – can feel convoluted, especially when dealing with the process for the first time. A home is usually the biggest purchase someone will make in their lifetime, and so it can feel stressful trying to manage the process and understand all the elements required for a smooth, successful sale.

Solicitors support the transaction by arranging the searches and analysing the survey details, drafting the contracts and negotiating with the seller, managing Land Transaction Tax (or Stamp Duty Land Tax in England), sourcing any management packs for leasehold properties, and overseeing the purchase.

Choosing which conveyancer to instruct can be a minefield, with many practices offering low-cost services with promises of a quick turnaround. But, with a recent survey of homebuyers revealing that dealing with conveyancers was ‘the most stressful’ element of the transaction process, it is vital to choose a conveyancer who will communicate effectively and oversee a successful sale.

Many conveyancing-only practices will boast cheap prices, but taking a cost-sensitive approach to conveyancing can mean you end up in a long queue of other transactions. Communication can become fraught, especially with firms using automated updates instead of direct communication with a specialist.

The recent survey data also demonstrated that 89% of people wanted direct contact by phone or email from their Solicitor during the homebuying process, as this helps buyers to understand each step required for purchasing the home and stay up-to-date with progress.

It can be helpful to ask questions before instructing your Solicitors, to make sure they will give you the service you want. You may wish to ask “how can I get in touch with you when I need updates?” to find out if they accept emails and phone calls rather than a chatbot, and “who in the team will be overseeing my transaction?” to make sure you know who your points-of-contact are.

You will also need to ask for the cost: if it sounds too good to be true, make sure you check reviews of the solicitors and confirm what is included in the price, so you do not have any nasty surprises later down the line. Cheaper does not mean easier.

At JCP Solicitors, we pride ourselves on our personalised approach and meticulous attention to detail. We see the person behind the purchase, supporting buyers and sellers to understand each stage of the conveyancing process.

You do not have to take our word for it ¾ recent reviews speak for themselves:

C. Davies, Pembrokeshire (August 2025): “Totally in awe of this amazing team. This firm was recommended to me after my previous law firm where I felt very distressed dealing with them. JCP were beyond my expectations. Easy, understanding, very friendly, very approachable and kind. Buying and selling was very stressful and both Carole and Geraldine took the word "stress" out of the equation and gave me a FULL amazing service. What a team.”

K. Minton, Swansea (July 2025): JCP saved the day ... on the advice of my estate agent I initially engaged the services of a different solicitor but after a whole month not one single thing had happened despite me chasing a number of times. I then decided to switch to JCP who had already given me a brilliant conveyancing service back in 2022. The speed in which they turned all the initial paperwork around was incredible. Solicitor Laura Winter and Legal Assistant Victoria Holmes were efficient, accessible, and hardworking on my behalf. What an excellent service they have provided and their communication was always prompt and polite. Many thanks from this very grateful customer and much appreciation for the hard work on my behalf. I would definitely 100% recommend JCP.”

If you are looking for a residential conveyancing firm, JCP Solicitors can help. Contact our friendly, expert team today by calling 03333 208644 or email hello@jcpsolicitors.co.uk