Property Solvers’ latest annual research of legal practices (in England and Wales) has revealed that average residential conveyancing fees for a freehold tenured property sale and purchase in early 2025 stood at £1,190.52 and £1,256.23 (inclusive of VAT) respectively. This represented a 0.21% rise and an 0.74% slight decrease respectively.
Average conveyancing costs for leasehold property transactions, however, saw above CPI-measured inflation growth. Prices rose by 7.14% for sales (from £1,401.99 in 2024 to £1,505.80 in 2025) and by 6.16% for leasehold property purchases (from £1,491.83 in 2024 to £1,586.65 in 2025). According to the fast sale and auction company, leasehold supplementary costs / disbursements tend to lie between £250 and £600 (with the seller incurring the majority of the financial burden).
Property Solvers also obtained remortgage conveyancing quotes based on a secured loan of £225,000 (75% loan to value of £300,000). Average costs rose by 6.80% (from £692.92 in 2024 to £741.67 in 2025).
The property sales company approached 100 conveyancing firms for direct quotes. It was assumed that a mortgage was being redeemed upon sale completion or the property was being purchased with a mortgage. Property values in the quote request never exceeded £300,000 for purchase or sale. Also, the fees do not include disbursements (telegraphic transfer charges, searches, ID checks etc.).
Ruban Selvanayagam of Property Solvers commented: “After rather aggressive price hikes in recent years, it would seem that conveyancing fees have stabilised to a certain degree – reflective of a somewhat more subdued inflationary landscape.”
He continued: “Nonetheless, the complexity of leasehold property sales and what we see as the increased hurdles that conveyancers face when dealing with remortgages has seen an understandable increase in fees on these types of transactions.”
Selvanayagam also highlights caution on using “suspiciously cheap” conveyancing services:
“Whilst more conveyancing firms are rightfully incorporating AI and other associated efficiencies into their processes, we would generally recommend steering clear of anything below the £500 price point,” he added. “It’s often the case that such firms are operating a conveyancing-by-numbers approach which means you’re unlikely to be offered the best level of service.”
One point I would ask conveyancers is how much of their time is spent conveyancing and how much opening files and chasing information?
If more information can be gathered before the solicitor is involved they can spend more time on their higher value/more profitable work of conveyancing rather than chasing information?
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My observations of the process are that there is so much waste within it – time, rework and defects. The hidden costs must be staggering to conveyancing firms. AI will help, but fundamentally bad process won’t be improved by AI. It feels like there is a disregard for the customer at the end of it. We don’t keep ringing and chasing because we want company . There are some straightforward approaches common in so many other industries that could revolutionise process improve customer experience and reduce defects. The knock on would be cost reduction. (I’m a specialist as well as leadership coach so am coming from a point of experience) Maximising the impact of AI could revolutionise how you all work, but it will only disappoint until the process work is done. This month’s Harvard Business Review has the most straightforward , no jargon overview I’ve seen of AI incorporation so far.
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