How Much Does Conveyancing Cost? Everything You Need to Know About Fees and Disbursements

How Much Does Conveyancing Cost? Fees, Disbursements and Stamp Duty Explained

One of the first questions people ask when buying or selling a property is how much it is all going to cost. Conveyancing costs, including solicitor fees, disbursements, and Stamp Duty Land Tax, can add up quickly, and surprises at the end of a transaction are the last thing you need. The conveyancing solicitors at SML Law in Cirencester have put together this guide to help you understand what the different cost elements are and why they exist.

What are conveyancing fees, and what affects the total cost?

Conveyancing fees vary depending on the property value, whether the property is freehold or leasehold, and whether you are buying, selling, or doing both. A leasehold transaction typically involves more work than a freehold one, which is reflected in the fee.

Always ask for a full written quote before you instruct a conveyancing solicitor. A clear quote will separate the solicitor's fees from disbursements so you have a complete picture before you commit to anything.

For current fee information at Sewell Mullings Logie, see the SML Law fees page.

What are disbursements, and which ones should you expect to pay?

A disbursement is a cost your conveyancer pays to a third party on your behalf and then passes on to you. They sit on top of your solicitor's fees and vary depending on the property and its location.

Common disbursements when buying a property include the local authority search fee, drainage and water search fee, environmental search fee, and Land Registry registration fee. If Stamp Duty Land Tax applies to your purchase, that is also handled by your conveyancer on completion day.

A good property solicitor will give you a full breakdown of expected disbursements at the start of your instruction. If you have questions about what applies to your specific transaction, the team at SML Law is happy to talk you through it.

Stamp Duty Land Tax: what it is and how it works

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax paid to HMRC when you buy a property in England or Northern Ireland above a certain threshold. The rate depends on the purchase price and your personal circumstances, including whether it is your first property or an additional one.

SDLT rates and thresholds are set by the government and can change. Your conveyancer handles the calculation, submission, and payment on completion day, but the tax liability is yours. If you are unsure how SDLT applies to your purchase, speak to the team at Sewell Mullings Logie before you commit. Your circumstances will determine exactly what applies, and it is worth understanding your position early.

Does owning a property abroad affect your Stamp Duty position?

HMRC's approach to Stamp Duty Land Tax takes overseas property ownership into account. Whether you are liable for an additional surcharge depends on your individual circumstances. If you own property outside the UK and are purchasing in England or Northern Ireland, speak to the team at SML Law before you proceed so your position can be assessed properly.

What is a completion statement and when will you see it?

A completion statement is a financial summary your conveyancing solicitor produces before completion day. It sets out all money coming in and going out on your transaction, including the purchase price, your deposit, your mortgage advance, solicitor fees, disbursements, and any Stamp Duty. It tells you exactly how much you need to transfer to your conveyancer ahead of completion.

You should receive your completion statement with enough time to review it before the completion date. Read it carefully and raise any questions with your solicitor before you transfer any money.

Getting a clear picture of your costs from the start

Understanding what you will be paying, and why, is one of the most useful things you can do before a property transaction. If you are buying or selling in Cirencester or across the Cotswolds and want a transparent, itemised quote, get in touch with the team at Sewell Mullings Logie.

You can also read our complete conveyancing guide covering 30 of the most common questions here.

About the author

Sam McEwan is a Partner at Sewell Mullings Logie and heads the residential property team. She qualified in 2002 and has spent over two decades handling all aspects of residential conveyancing, from straightforward purchases to complex, high-value transactions involving country houses, ecclesiastical properties, and equity release. Sam is known for being proactive, commercially minded, and highly attentive to detail. Much of her work comes through recommendations from satisfied clients and fellow professionals. View Sam's full profile at SML Law.

Talk to our conveyancing team in Cirencester

Sewell Mullings Logie has been helping clients buy and sell property in Cirencester and across the Cotswolds since 1797. Whether you are a first-time buyer, selling a family home, or dealing with a complex transaction, our conveyancing solicitors are here to help.

Get in touch with our Cirencester office:

7 Dollar Street, Cirencester, GL7 2AS

Tel: 01285 650 000

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Sewell Mullings Logie and SML Law are trading names of Sewell Mullings Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 540020).