Best Conveyancing Solicitors in Bristol

How do I choose a good conveyancing solicitor?

When you compare conveyancing quotes, look for a property solicitor with strong credentials, positive client feedback, and experience within the Bristol property market. Look for firms or solicitors who demonstrate a clear understanding of Bristol’s diverse neighbourhoods, from the vibrant harbourside and Clifton to more suburban areas like Filton or Emersons Green. Local knowledge can be valuable in identifying potential planning restrictions, flood zones, or other area-specific legal nuances.

It is important to look for transparency regarding their conveyancing fees and services. Bristol has many conservation areas and listed buildings (especially in Clifton, Redland, and Leigh Woods) so you may need extra searches and surveys which will add to your conveyancing fees.

Make sure the conveyancers you are considering are fully accredited, either by the CLC or SRA.

You can contact them through their website, phone, or visit their office. Many will offer an initial consultation to discuss your conveyancing needs.

It’s also helpful to select a conveyancing solicitor that is already on the panel of approved firms set by your chosen mortgage lender, as this will help things go quicker. You can check your lender’s website or ask them directly to find out if your conveyancer is on their panel.

While it’s not essential to use a solicitor based in Bristol, as many aspects of conveyancing can be handled remotely, a local solicitor may provide additional insights into the rules and regulations set out by Bristol City Council, like local land charges, planning permissions, building control records and conservation zones.

You should engage a conveyancer as you start looking for a property or before you list one for sale, to ensure all legal aspects are promptly addressed.

How do Bristol conveyancing solicitors work?

It is a conveyancer’s job to act on your behalf, managing the legal aspects of property transactions and administrative work associated with transferring the ownership of a property from one person to another. Whether you're purchasing a Georgian townhouse in Clifton, selling a modern flat in Temple Quay, or buying and selling together, your Bristol conveyancer ensures the transaction proceeds smoothly and legally.

Your conveyancing solicitor will conduct conveyancing searches relevant to Bristol, checking for things like flood risks (particularly relevant near the River Avon), handle contracts, and advise on Bristol City Council's property regulations to facilitate a smooth transfer of ownership.

According to reallymoving data, the average cost of conveyancing fees is around £2,368 including fees and disbursements. For a First Time Buyer, the average cost is £1,478. Bristol fees generally fall within this range, although prices may vary depending on factors like new-build leasehold issues and HMO compliances in areas with high student populations like Horfield or St. Pauls.

Your money is protected when you use a conveyancer. Conveyancing solicitors must hold client funds in separate accounts, ensuring security and compliance with regulatory standards.

It is possible to do your own conveyancing, if you are a cash buyer, however it is advisable to always use a conveyancing solicitor as they will have the knowledge and expertise necessary to complete a property transaction, especially in a market like Bristol, where local planning conditions and property types are affected by hilly terrain and older buildings, adding complexity. Hiring a conveyancer minimises the risk that something will go wrong, and your purchase will not go through.

What questions should I ask my conveyancer?

Start by enquiring about their experience in the [location] property market. Even if they are not based locally, they should be able to effectively help you navigate your purchase in Bristol. Ask if they’ve handled transactions in areas like Redland, Bedminster, or Stoke Bishop. Local knowledge can help with understanding planning restrictions, conservation areas, or flood risks near the River Avon or Bristol Harbour.

Ask them about how much their fees will be and what they include, such as disbursements expenses and Stamp Duty, as well as local searches, which will particularly needed in Clifton, Redland, and Leigh Woods' conservation areas.

Ask about the timeline for how long the conveyancing process will take, and how they plan to communicate updates to you. Typically, conveyancing takes 8-12 weeks. However, be aware that Bristol's often hilly terain may cause extra searches and surveys to be needed on your property, which may extend things. Your conveyancer will need your input to fill out forms and provide documents throughout the process. They should be available to contact whenever you need to ask questions or request updates.

You may want to see if they offer no sale, no fee agreements. This means you will not have to pay the conveyancing fees if the purchase falls through, but you may still have to cover the cost of disbursements.

Make sure they are part of a regulated by a professional body and are approved on your chosen mortgage lender’s conveyancing panel. All conveyancers/ conveyancing solicitors on reallymoving are regulated by the SRA or CLC.

Is it better to use a solicitor or conveyancer in Bristol?

You can use both conveyancing solicitors and conveyancers to carry out your conveyancing in Bristol. There are differences between the two, but both will perform your property sale or purchase in the same way and should have knowledge of Bristol City Council's local property regulations, so who you decide to use is up to you.

Conveyancing solicitors will have been trained in a variety of legal fields, ranging from family law through to litigation or criminal law. They have then chosen to specialise in a property law

Licensed Conveyancers are specialists that have specifically been trained in property law and this is their sole focus.

Conveyancing solicitors practising in the [location] market must be registered with the Law Society and are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), whereas Licensed Conveyancers are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).

Both regulatory bodies will have a public register where you can search an individual or a firm to check if they are regulated. All property solicitors and conveyancers quoted by reallymoving are regulated by one of these bodies. 

Your decision about whether to use a solicitor or conveyancer may come down to whether you prefer to have someone with expertise in other legal fields you may need help with, such as issues with the many historic listed buildings and conservation areas, or someone trained specifically in property law, which may help with student rental licensing and HMO compliance. But you should ultimately choose a conveyancing firm based on what they can offer you that best suits your move to Bristol.