Help me find a solicitor (House purchase)

[lewis s]

Due to my impending house move, i would like to sort out a solicitor. What is the best general way of finding one, is it estate agent or word of mouth recommendations? Also what should i be expecting to pay, and is it easier to find someone local?

All help would be appreciated

[Du1point8]

lewis s said:

Due to my impending house move, i would like to sort out a solicitor. What is the best general way of finding one, is it estate agent or word of mouth recommendations? Also what should i be expecting to pay, and is it easier to find someone local?

All help would be appreciated

Myself and several of my friends have used John Hay (he is a PHer but name escapes me):

SPRAKE&KINGSLEY SOLICITORS
16 Broad Street, Bungay, Suffolk, NR35 1EN
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] DX: 83704 Bungay
Web: www.sprakekingsley.co.uk

Not the cheapest (not that much more expensive really) but he is very very good and worth that little bit extra.

[touching cloth]

^^^^^^^^^ What he said.

He is Pher Rude-Boy http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

[Zippee]

Du1point8 said:

Myself and several of my friends have used John Hay (he is a PHer but name escapes me):

SPRAKE&KINGSLEY SOLICITORS
16 Broad Street, Bungay, Suffolk, NR35 1EN
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] DX: 83704 Bungay
Web: www.sprakekingsley.co.uk

Not the cheapest (not that much more expensive really) but he is very very good and worth that little bit extra.

John is very good! Don't let the fact he's not local put you off either. A poor solicitor can cause a lot of agony so it's certainly worth the outlay finding someone decent.

John - I think we need to start talking about commission rates....

[rovermorris999]

I'd go with someone local that you can pop into and dig in the ribs if required.

[shirt]

ask around at work. once the same name has been recommended by several sources, pick up the phone.

for mine, i used a solicitor close to work rather than near the house [40miles away] as it was easier to get there at lunchtimes etc. to sign forms and get things moving.

i think i paid £350 all in.

[Du1point8]

Zippee said:

Du1point8 said:

Myself and several of my friends have used John Hay (he is a PHer but name escapes me):

SPRAKE&KINGSLEY SOLICITORS
16 Broad Street, Bungay, Suffolk, NR35 1EN
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] DX: 83704 Bungay
Web: www.sprakekingsley.co.uk

Not the cheapest (not that much more expensive really) but he is very very good and worth that little bit extra.

John is very good! Don't let the fact he's not local put you off either. A poor solicitor can cause a lot of agony so it's certainly worth the outlay finding someone decent.

John - I think we need to start talking about commission rates....

Yep I bought in London and lived in London when he was arse end of nowhere, only time to visit was to sign the doc and all was good, plus he was good at kicking the arse of the other solicitor

[Busamav]

rovermorris999 said:

I'd go with someone local that you can pop into and dig in the ribs if required.

This is so important imho. ^^^^^^^

Just don't risk any of the internet based , so called conveyancing specialists.

[rovermorris999]

Absolutely. I made the mistake of using an internet-based solicitor a few years ago. Just don't. Go local. It's much harder to lie to a client's face than it is by email or phone.

[kieranjholland]

I used a great solicitor named Joseph Hyndeman at Chadwick Lawrence after hearing good reviews. Really good guy who pulled out the stops when our purchase became difficult and threw his weigh around when required (in this case with a mortgage company slowing the process).

I do not think it is that important to have a local solictor when you have a good solicitor but would agree to avoid internet conveyencing firms.

[Oggs]

Another one who has used Rude Boy for a couple of house purchases top fella.

[Rude-boy]

All, and thanks for your kind words

I have to say that my professional experience of internet based conveyancers is not that good. There are a few out there who are on the money but there are a lot more who just don’t cut the mustard.

No worries at all if you are concerned about the distance, etc. What I would say is use a proper solicitor and don't get too hung up on price (an extra £100 or so is nothing in real terms when you are spending £100k+++)

I would suggest you speak to the local independent estate agents as to who they recommend. Don't go with a firm that pays a referral fee but one which they believe is the best.

If you want to give me a call please feel free. I often travel to meet with clients, especially London based ones, but I appreciate if you feel we are a little too far apart!