Precision Utility
Conveyancing Costs
Calculator
VAT Rate
20%
Applies To
Legal Fees
Estimate the total cost of conveyancing when buying or selling a property in England and Wales. Enter the property price, choose your transaction type and see a full breakdown of solicitor fees, VAT and disbursements so you can budget with confidence.
Property Details
Total Conveyancing Cost
£0
Legal Fees
£0
VAT (20%)
£0
Disbursements
£0
Legal Fees
£0
VAT on Legal Fees
£0
Disbursements
£0
Total Cost
£0
How the conveyancing costs calculator works
Enter the full purchase or sale price of the property using the slider or by typing the amount directly. The calculator accepts values from £0 up to £2,000,000.
Next, select whether you are buying, selling or doing both. The disbursements and search fees differ depending on the transaction type. Buyers face additional costs such as local authority searches, environmental checks and Land Registry fees, while sellers have fewer third-party charges.
If the property is leasehold rather than freehold, tick the leasehold checkbox. Leasehold transactions require extra legal work to review the lease terms, ground rent and service charge arrangements, which adds a supplement to the solicitor's base fee.
The result card instantly displays the total estimated conveyancing cost, broken down into legal fees, VAT (charged at 20% on legal fees only) and disbursements. The disbursement breakdown section shows every individual charge so you know exactly where your money goes.
What you need to know about conveyancing
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person to another. Whether you are buying or selling, you will need a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the paperwork, conduct searches, deal with contracts and register the transaction with the Land Registry.
Legal fees
The solicitor's own fee covers the legal work involved in the transaction. This typically ranges from £800 to £1,500 depending on the property value. Higher-value properties involve more complex checks and greater liability, so solicitors charge accordingly. VAT at 20% is added on top of the legal fee.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs paid to third parties on your behalf. When buying, the main disbursements include local authority searches (£300), environmental searches (£50), water and drainage searches (£50), Land Registry fees (£100–£500 depending on price), bankruptcy searches (£2) and ID verification (£10). When selling, disbursements are lower and typically cover title deeds (£7) and bank transfer fees (£40).
Leasehold properties
If you are buying or selling a leasehold property, expect to pay an additional £300 or more to cover the extra legal work. Your solicitor will need to review the lease, check for any outstanding ground rent or service charges, and ensure there are no restrictive covenants that could affect the transaction.
Frequently asked questions
How much does conveyancing cost on average in the UK?
The average cost of conveyancing in England and Wales is between £1,000 and £2,000 including VAT and disbursements. The exact amount depends on the property price, whether you are buying or selling, and whether the property is leasehold or freehold. Higher-value properties typically attract higher legal fees.
What are disbursements in conveyancing?
Disbursements are third-party costs that your solicitor or conveyancer pays on your behalf during the transaction. Common disbursements include local authority searches, environmental searches, water and drainage searches, Land Registry fees, bankruptcy searches and ID verification checks. These are separate from the solicitor's own legal fees.
Does conveyancing cost more for leasehold properties?
Yes. Leasehold properties involve additional legal work compared with freehold properties. Your solicitor must review the lease, check ground rent and service charge obligations, and liaise with the freeholder or managing agent. This typically adds £200 to £400 to the total conveyancing bill.
How long does conveyancing take?
Conveyancing typically takes between 8 and 12 weeks from the point your offer is accepted to completion. The timeline can vary depending on the length of the chain, how quickly searches are returned by the local authority, and whether any issues arise with the title or survey. Cash purchases with no chain can complete in as little as 4 to 6 weeks.
What does no-completion-no-fee mean in conveyancing?
A no-completion-no-fee agreement means you will not be charged the solicitor's legal fees if the transaction falls through before completion. However, you may still be liable for disbursements that have already been paid to third parties, such as search fees. Always check the terms carefully before instructing a solicitor on this basis.
How do I choose a conveyancing solicitor?
Look for a solicitor or licensed conveyancer who is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). Compare quotes from several firms, check online reviews and ask whether they offer a fixed-fee service. Ensure they are on your mortgage lender's approved panel if you are buying with a mortgage.