Quick answers to the questions we hear most. If you would like to talk it through, call us on 0330 043 9795 or email support@ethicalconveyancing.co.uk.
Legal fees start from £400 + VAT for a sale or purchase, and from £230 + VAT for a remortgage. That is the starting legal fee, not an all-in cost. Disbursements — third-party costs such as searches and Land Registry fees — are added on top, and the figure for your property depends on its price and details such as leasehold, new build or shared ownership. Our guide to how much conveyancing costs in 2026 explains each part of the bill.
The quote form takes about a minute. We ask for your contact details first, then send your itemised quote, usually straight away. If anything about your property is unusual, we may call to check the details so the quote is right.
Yes. The legal fee you are quoted will not change during the transaction, and there are no hidden extras on that fee. If additional work turns out to be needed — for example, dealing with an unregistered title or a deed of variation — you will be told what it is, why it matters, what it costs and what happens if it is not done, before anything goes ahead.
Disbursements are costs paid to third parties on your behalf, such as property searches, HM Land Registry fees, bank transfer fees, ID checks and, on leasehold property, management pack fees charged by the managing agent or freeholder. They are listed separately on your quote.
No. Stamp Duty Land Tax (Land Transaction Tax in Wales) is a tax on the purchase, paid to the tax authority — it is not a conveyancing fee. Your solicitor usually files the return. See our stamp duty guide.
Remortgage legal fees start from £230 + VAT, with disbursements on top. See remortgage conveyancing or get a remortgage quote.
If your transaction doesn't complete, you won't be charged a legal fee. You may still be charged for disbursements already incurred on your behalf (for example, searches if they've been ordered).
Disbursements (third-party costs incurred on your behalf) may still apply — for example, searches if they've been ordered. See the Ethical Promise.
It depends on the chain, the property and the lender. On Ethical files, 8–12 weeks is the band we work to for a straightforward sale or purchase. That is a confidence band, not a promise — chains, leasehold management packs, search times and mortgage offers can all make it longer, and leasehold matters often take longer than freehold.
Across the wider market it is usually longer: Rightmove's July 2026 figures put the Great Britain average at around 154 days from sale agreed to completion. Instructing a solicitor as soon as your offer is accepted gives the best chance of a quicker move. Read how long conveyancing takes in 2026.
There is no chain on a remortgage, so it is usually much quicker. So far this year, remortgages through Ethical have averaged around 3 weeks. That is our experience, not a promise — leasehold property, a transfer of equity at the same time, or lender delays can take longer.
Our team contacts you about your enquiry or quote within minutes. Once you instruct, your welcome pack follows within two working days. While your file is live, if you ask your solicitor a specific question, you will usually get an answer within two working days.
Your legal work is carried out by an experienced solicitor from our panel, regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and/or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). We arrange your quote, set up your file, complete ID checks and stay in touch throughout. Your solicitor advises you on the transaction. See solicitor vs conveyancer for the difference between the two.
Yes. Every file is handled by a fully qualified, experienced solicitor from our panel, supported by a wider team.
We match you with a panel firm that suits your transaction and your lender. If you have a preference, tell us and we will do our best to accommodate it.
Yes. Proactive updates are part of the Ethical Promise, so you are not left chasing. You can also track your file online and contact us or your solicitor with questions at any stage.
Yes — buying, selling, buying and selling together, remortgaging and transfer of equity. Start with the right form: buying, selling, buying and selling or remortgage. For a transfer of equity, contact us.
We help with property across England and Wales. We also have pages for Liverpool, Manchester and the Wirral.
No. We will never sell your data to a third party. See our Privacy Policy.
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General information, not legal advice.
