Buying a Home? We're Here to Help
Buying property doesn’t need to be stressful, our specialist conveyancing team has you covered from offer to completion.
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Buying a Home Made Simple
Buying a property is an exciting milestone, but the legal process can sometimes feel complicated and stressful. That’s where we come in. At PLS Solicitors, our experienced conveyancers guide you through every step, from your offer being accepted to completion, making the process smooth, clear, and stress-free.
How We Support You
We handle all the legal work, including searches, contracts, and coordination with the seller’s solicitor, while keeping you informed every step of the way. Our team ensures you feel confident and in control throughout your purchase
Transparent Communication
You’ll always know what’s happening with your purchase, with regular updates and clear guidance.
Expert Guidance
We provide advice on every legal aspect of your transaction, helping you make informed decisions
24/7 Client Portal
Track your case anytime using our secure online portal. From viewing documents to checking progress updates, our portal keeps you in control every step of the way.
Peace of Mind
From offer to completion, we manage the details so you can focus on moving into your new home.
Why choose us?
Trusted By Homebuyers Across The Country
PLS has offices in Altrincham, Liverpool, London and Teesside. With around 200 employees, we are one of the leading conveyancing firms in the country by volume, rated 4.7 on Trustpilot from over 6,500 reviews. Our work has also been recognised with industry awards, including Outstanding Client Care in Conveyancing. Our team is experienced across all types of conveyancing, including the First Homes Scheme, shared ownership, and remortgage. We also have a dedicated Secured Lending team supporting commercial and residential property finance, including development finance.
Trusted by Tens of Thousands of Buyers
We've handled tens of thousands of purchases nationwide, so we've seen it all, and know how to keep yours moving.
We have a Dedicated Part Exchange Team
A specialist team manages both sides of your part exchange move, together.
Evening & Weekend Availability
Speak to your case handler outside the usual 9-5, when it suits you.
We Chase Your Mortgage Lender
We liaise directly with your lender, so you're never stuck waiting between broker and solicitor.
ZL E
Our experience with PLS, particularly Matt Howard, has been nothing short of fantastic. After what has been such a stressful transaction, thanks to our Buyer's Solicitors, Matt has worked tirelessly to get both our Sale and Purchase properties over the line and in record time at that! A massive thank you to Helena Brady too who stepped in whilst Matt was on annual leave and kept us fully updated as to the progress on both files. Thank you for all your hard work. I know its been incredibly frustrating at times dealing with other Law Firms who are just not as pro-active and on the ball as PLS, but we got there in the end, thanks to your hard work! We cannot thank you enough and would reccomend Matt to anyone looking for a Conveyancer who will guide them through a sale or purchase transaction.
Amit Bhan
It was my first experience and was very nervous about selection of solictors, however my friend referred me to PLS. The entire experience has been very professional and support has been exceptional from every member i dealt with, special thanks to Gemma for her focussed attention for the case and handling countless queries from our end. This has been truly great experience with ps and would highly recommend them as true professionals
MISS A OMALLEY
Smooth experience with PLS , responses to calls and emails very quick, all agents i dealt with very as informative and supportive as possible
Rohan Nair
Very responsive Lisa Cullen was thorough and methodical and talked me through the entire process No delays from their side in any of their deliverables
Ashraf Hamdona
great service, friendly staff, made my house purchase an easy process and stress free.
Iggy Mukzig
Amazing work by Jacob. Very Efficient and supportive. We are very happy with the service .
Liv
Sophie and her team and have been incredibly helpful during our house purchase through to exchange. We are first time buyers so this is all new to us, however Sophie and her team made the process really simple and seamless. Thank you!
Kevin Miller
Caroline worked tirelessly on what turned out to be quite a protracted conveyancing process. Her support and help was outstanding. Highly recommended.
James Harvey
Jack at PLS was brilliant from start to finish, he was very responsive and explained everything brilliantly. He always kept us up to date and if something needed to be chased he was always on it! Highly recommend PLS, the portal is a great tool to have!
Georgie
We recently used PLS Solicitors to both sell and buy a property for the second time, and they were brilliant from start to finish. Moving house is never stress-free, but Annabel was absolutely fantastic throughout both of our moves. She consistently communicates, responds quickly to emails and calls, and explains everything clearly. Knowing we were in her safe hands a second time around gave us so much peace of mind. A huge thank you to Annabel and the team—we won't hesitate to come back if we ever move again!
A Guide to our Residential Conveyancing Fees
It is not possible to give precise costs1 figures without first understanding your specific transaction and your exact requirements. This costs guide is only an indication of the likely approximate cost of a transaction. For a costs estimate specific to your transaction, please contact us. This costs guide is intended to give you an approximate idea of the overall legal costs and is based on the average amount of work involved in a basic house purchase. We start with a base fee for a basic house purchase (around £500) and add fees for specific elements, such as leasehold status, ID verification, or banking charges, which are included in the £500-£2750 range. If unforeseen complexities arise (e.g., title defects), the fee may be revised.
Typical Sale Costs1:Typical Purchase Fees:
Legal Fees2: (Inclusive of VAT at 20%)
Additional fees may apply within the range mentioned. Typical examples include:
Leasehold Fee:
Gifted Deposit fee:
Banking and bank charges fee:
Lawyer Checker fee:
ID verification administration fee:
Lender fee (where we also act for your mortgage provider):
Maintaining Archive fee:
Land transaction return fee:
Bankruptcy search fee:
OS1 search fee:
Land registry fee:
Fee for provision of general searches, which includes local authority, water and drainage, and environmental searches:
£450 – £1900
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Additional search fees: (inclusive of VAT at 20%)
Dependant on the property type & location typical examples of these can be:
Mining Search:
Brine Search:
Chancel Search:
Disbursements3 (no VAT):
£50.00-£70.00 (per search)
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Stamp Duty (0% – 10% dependant on the value of your property) You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website link or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website link
Land Registry Fee: (Dependant on the value of the property)
1 Costs means fees and disbursements, taken together
2 Fees means our charges for the work we do for you (including any VAT element)
3 Disbursements means any costs or expenses paid or to be paid to a third party on your behalf
£45.00 – £1105.00
Typical Sale Costs1:Typical Purchase Fees:
£450 – £1900
Additional fees may apply within the range mentioned. Typical examples include:
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£50.00-£70.00 (per search)
Dependant on the property type & location typical examples of these can be:
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Stamp Duty (0% – 10% dependant on the value of your property) You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website link or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website link
£45.00 – £1105.00
1 Costs means fees and disbursements, taken together
2 Fees means our charges for the work we do for you (including any VAT element)
3 Disbursements means any costs or expenses paid or to be paid to a third party on your behalf
For leasehold Properties there are certain costs which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The costs which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other costs may apply depending on the term of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the seller’s solicitors.
Notice of Transfer fee – This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £25.00 + VAT and £300.00 + VAT per Notice (in some instances more than one Notice of Transfer may be required).
Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £25.00 + VAT and £300.00 + VAT per Notice (in some instances more than one Notice of Charge may be required).
Deed of Covenant fee – This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate. Often it is between £25.00 + VAT and £300.00 + VAT per Deed of Covenant (in some instances more than one Deed of Covenant may be required).
Fee to issue a new Share Certificate – To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease, as can range between £25.00 + VAT and £300.00 + VAT.
*These fees vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents.
You should also be aware that ground rent and service charge are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge once we receive this information.
Please contact us for a free quote
A detailed quote will always be provided to you at the beginning of the case.
Our fee quotes for the work to be carried out are made on the following assumptions. If all or any of the assumptions are incorrect, we may need to revise our quotation:
That the property is registered land.
That all the title documents are provided by the representatives acting for the lessor/seller/assignor and that we are not expected to consider defective title indemnity policies. Nor are we expected to have to prepare statutory declarations or make applications to the Land Registry to correct any defects in the title.
That no unforeseen matters arise including for example (but not limited to) a defect in title which requires remedying prior to completion or the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction.
That the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise.
That all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation.
That you are obtaining a mortgage from a high street lender and that lender does not require separate legal representation.
That no third parties’ consents are needed to the purchase proceeding or assignment of lease.
In tenanted property that you will have all licences and registration in place in order to let the property. We will not provide advice on these aspects.
How long will my house purchase take?
The average length of a conveyancing transaction from instruction to completion is currently about 15-20 weeks. However, the time an individual case takes to complete can vary greatly, depending on the particular circumstances, and is largely the result of the readiness and willingness of all parties to proceed, the property title (eg freehold, leasehold, registered, un-registered), responses from landlords or management companies, and other factors.
The following are some examples of factors which can affect the timescale in a conveyancing transaction. This list is not exhaustive:
Delays by third parties, e.g. the other side’s solicitor
A delay elsewhere in the chain
Probate or divorce proceedings
Obtaining necessary information from third parties such as management companies or landlords
Complex titles
Leasehold properties and flats
Unforeseen work e.g. existing tenants in the property or obtaining planning and building regulation consents for works undertaken, specialist reports required.
Stages of the process
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, a standard purchase transaction will usually involve the following stages (the typical stages listed below are reflected in the indicative fees and disbursements referred to above)
Take your instructions and give you initial advice
Receive and advise on contract documents
Carry out searches
Make any necessary enquiries of seller’s solicitor
Report on the title of the property to you (and your lender if you are obtaining a mortgage).
Report to you on the mortgage offer
Send final contract to you for signature
Draft the Transfer Deed
Obtain pre-completion searches
Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you
Complete purchase
Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
Deal with application for registration at Land Registry
If the property being purchased is leasehold or freehold with a management company, the following stages may also apply:
Reviewing the Leasehold or Management Information Pack;
Making enquiries of the seller’s solicitor, landlord and / or management company;
Serving a Notice of Transfer and (where required) Notice of Mortgage on the Landlord and/or Management Company.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our FAQs for Buying Conveyancing!
What's the difference between exchange and completion?
Exchange of contracts is when the transaction becomes legally binding, and your deposit is paid. Completion is the day ownership actually transfers to you and you get the keys. There’s usually a gap of one to two weeks between the two, though this can vary.
What searches are carried out when I buy a property?
Standard searches typically include local authority, water and drainage, and environmental checks, with additional searches such as mining or chancel searches where relevant to the property’s location.
What happens if there's a delay elsewhere in my chain?
Delays with other parties in the chain are one of the most common causes of a slower transaction. We’ll keep you updated as soon as we’re aware of any hold-up, and let you know what it means for your dates.
Do I need to pay Stamp Duty, and how much will it be?
Most purchases above a certain threshold are subject to Stamp Duty Land Tax, calculated on a sliding scale based on the property price. You can use our Stamp Duty Calculator on the site to get an estimate for your purchase.
