
Nobody wants a surprise motorway running through their back garden. That's why property searches are essential for the home you're planning to buy.
Conveyancing is the essential legal process for transferring ownership when selling or buying a home. Starting early can make all the difference, helping to keep your move smooth and stress-free.
Simply share a few details about your property and situation, and we’ll send over a personalised quote right away.
5-star rated service. Trusted by homeowners across the UK.
With over 12,000 reviews and a 4.9-star rating on Trustpilot, Setfords hold the highest rating of any UK law firm. Our clients consistently praise the quality, efficiency, and care they receive, and we're proud to deliver on that reputation every day.
When time matters, we deliver. Setfords leads the way with the fastest completion times among the UK’s top conveyancing firms. We streamline the legal process to help you move quickly, confidently and with minimal stress.
As a top 100 UK law firm, Setfords has rapidly expanded, welcoming over 600 consultant lawyers. Recruiting more expert legal professionals than any other firm in the past 24 months and ensuring our clients have access to top-tier legal expertise.
Whether you're stepping onto the property ladder, searching for more space, or downsizing to something new, the right legal support can make all the difference.
Setfords has helped thousands of buyers and sellers navigate the conveyancing process with ease, with over 12,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot. Their clients trust them to deliver excellent results, efficiently.
With a nationwide network of more than 600 lawyers, Setfords combines local knowledge with the strength of a leading national firm. Setfords prides itself on its speed in completing transactions, helping you get keys to your new home faster.
Choose Setfords for a more straightforward and efficient conveyancing experience. Their expert team is ready to support you every step of the way.
Hiring a solicitor or conveyancer is an essential part of the home-buying process. Here’s what they’ll do - and why it’s best not to do this bit yourself.
Nobody wants a surprise motorway running through their back garden. That's why property searches are essential for the home you're planning to buy.
Feel like it's taking forever to get your new home? We've got eight top tips to help you speed up your property purchase.
Moving costs a fortune, right? So where can you save a bit of cash in the process? Never with the conveyancing process. Always get the professionals in for this bit.
Sealed bids, solicitors making offers rather than estate agents and virtually no gazumping. How the home buying process in Scotland differs from England.
You've found your perfect home and it’s time to appoint a solicitor or conveyancer to help you buy it. Here’s what they'll do to make that home yours.
We know conveyancing can seem pretty complicated. So we’ve listed the questions we hear all the time.
What does a conveyancer do?
If you’re buying a home, conveyancers run the local searches, check the property’s boundaries, get the contract ready to sign and negotiate exchange and completion dates.
If you’re selling a home, they’ll prepare the legal contracts and work with your buyer’s solicitor. They’ll transfer the title deeds to your buyer, identify any certificates you might need (gas, boiler, electric etc) and sort the settling your mortgage. They'll also pay your estate agent’s fees and transfer any remaining money over to you.
Why do I need a conveyancer?
When it comes to conveyancing, the only way to go is with the pros. The conveyancing process requires an intricate knowledge of property law and can take several months.
Unless you're a qualified conveyancer, you're unlikely to have the full-on grasp of property law needed for this intricate task.
Given the risks, the case for using a qualified, reputable conveyancer is, shall we say, persuasive.
How much does conveyancing cost?
This all depends on how complex your purchase or sale is or if any extra legal work is needed.
Generally, it can cost up to £2,000 for conveyancing.
But don’t just look at the price quoted when making a decision, as less expensive isn't always better.
How long does conveyancing take?
This can depend on the complexity of your purchase or sale – such as if anything crops up in the searches or there are any delays in getting surveys completed.
On average, conveyancing will take between 8 to 12 weeks.
The good news is our conveyancers are slicker than your average, and can get you in your new home 26 days faster than the norm.
What's the difference between a conveyancer and a solicitor?
Both solicitors and conveyancers advise on the legal aspects of buying and selling a property.
Conveyancers are specialist property lawyers, who only focus on buying and selling residential properties, while solicitors are qualified lawyers who offer a range of legal services.
Whether you choose a conveyancer or solicitor with Zoopla, you can rest assured that you’ll get expert service and advice.
Are Zoopla's solicitors and conveyancers regulated by the authorities?
All of our conveyancers and solicitors are approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), CLC or Law Society of Scotland, meaning they meet strict behaviours, principles and a code of conduct.
The SRA acts in the public’s interest and ensure high professional standards. The SRA also provides protection in the rare event anything goes wrong. That’s added peace of mind.
What are conveyancing searches and why are they important?
Conveyancing searches are checks carried out to uncover potential issues with a property before purchasing it. These include local authority searches, environmental searches, water and drainage searches, and more. They help you identify risks such as planning permission issues, nearby developments, or environmental hazards.
Can conveyancing be done online?
Yes, many conveyancers now offer online conveyancing services. This involves handling all documentation electronically, which can speed up the process and allow you to complete the transaction remotely without needing face-to-face meetings.