10 ways to find the right Solicitor for you!

Ever wondered what to look out for when choosing a Solicitor for moving home? Then check out our top 10 tips for finding yours!

It's no secret that buying or selling a house can be a daunting task. It's not something you do every day and it's usually one of the biggest financial decisions you can make and with many things to consider when taking the big step.

One of the most important aspects of the home buying process is finding the right solicitor to help you through the legal aspects of the transaction and usually the part we have the least amount of knowledge on. Here are ten ways to find the best solicitor for your move:

1. Responsiveness: A good solicitor should be quick to respond to your inquiries and provide you with information about their services. Make sure you feel comfortable communicating with them because you will need to when you start the process.
2. Contact Information: Look for a solicitor whose website includes photos and direct contact information for their conveyancers. This will help you feel more connected to your legal team and know who is on the other side of the phone.
3. Accreditation: Choose a firm that has the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accreditation. This ensures that they are providing a high level of service and are held to a high standard.
4. Authority: Make sure the solicitor you choose does not need authorisation from a senior solicitor to exchange. This will save you time and money.
5. Timeframe: Ask about their exchange times and what you can expect for yours. It’s important to have a rough idea of how long the process will take and although it is not possible to give exact dates they can give their averages.
6. Backup: Find out if the solicitor has a colleague who will work on your case if they are on annual leave or off sick. This ensures that your case will continue to progress even if your solicitor is not available.
7. Fees: Look for a solicitor who does not try to negotiate with you on their fees. Transparency in pricing is important to avoid surprises down the road and a great solicitor knows they are worth what they charge.
8. Protection: Make sure the solicitor offers protection in case your transaction falls through. This is important, as one in three transactions do not complete and you do not want to be left out of pocket.
9. Direct Communication: Find out if you can speak directly to your solicitor if you need to. Some firms only use systems to update their clients, which can be frustrating if you have questions.
10. Reviews: Check out online reviews of the solicitor you are considering. Positive reviews from previous clients are a good sign that they provide quality service.

Now that you know what to look for in a solicitor, it’s time to start your search!

At onthemoov, we can help you find the right solicitor for your move. We specialise in helping people that may not have the knowledge of moving home navigate the home buying and selling process, and we work with a network of trusted solicitors who meet our high standards.