The Conveyancing Process - Ten Steps to Completion

Understanding the conveyancing process helps you know what to expect at each stage of your property purchase or sale. Here is a clear step-by-step guide to the ten main stages from instructing a conveyancer through to completion.

Step 1: Get and Compare Quotes

Enter your property sale, purchase or remortgage details into a conveyancing fees calculator. Receive competitive, fixed-fee conveyancing quotes from regulated solicitors and licensed conveyancers for independent review and comparison.

Step 2: Instruct Your Conveyancer

After choosing your preferred quote, instruct the conveyancer to act on your behalf. They will send a Client Care starter pack requiring you to complete some initial questions and submit your ID. You will also discuss payment arrangements to allow work to progress on your transaction.

Step 3: Memorandum of Sale (for Purchases)

For property purchases, the selling estate agent sends a memorandum of sale to all parties. This confirms the full property address, the agreed purchase price, and additional information such as any chattels included in the price.

Step 4: Contract Pack and Enquiries

Your conveyancer requests a contract pack from the seller's solicitors. This includes the draft contract, title documents, and property information forms. Your conveyancer reviews everything and raises appropriate legal enquiries with the other side.

Step 5: Property Searches

Your conveyancer orders appropriate property searches, as discussed during the initial quote review. These typically include a local authority search, environmental search, and water and drainage search — each revealing important information about the property and its surroundings.

Step 6: Mortgage Offer

Your mortgage offer is received from your lender. Ensure your conveyancer has a copy promptly. The conveyancer will review the mortgage conditions and report to you on the terms.

Step 7: Signing Key Documents

Once enquiries have been satisfactorily replied to and your conveyancer is happy with the progress of the matter, you will be asked to sign the key documents. These typically include:

• The transfer deed
• The mortgage deed
• The completion statement
• The report on title
• The contract

These can often be signed electronically or by post.

Step 8: Deposit Arrangements

Your conveyancer will discuss with you the deposit amount required for exchange of contracts, the timing of payment, and the method of transfer.

Step 9: Exchange of Contracts

Your conveyancer is now ready to exchange contracts. This involves agreeing a completion date with the other side — either your proposal or theirs. You will be asked for authority to exchange, which is your final opportunity to withdraw from the transaction without financial penalty. Once contracts are exchanged, the sale or purchase is legally binding.

Step 10: Completion

Prior to completion, you will need to transfer the balance of funds to your conveyancer's client account. Balancing monies are typically required before the completion date, and these are often received from your mortgage lender. Your conveyancer will confirm that all funds are in place and ready for the completion day transfer.

Completion Day

On the day of completion, your conveyancer transfers the purchase funds to the other side's solicitors. Once received, you can collect your keys — typically arranged through the seller's estate agent.

Post-Completion

After completion, your conveyancer arranges payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) to HMRC on your behalf (where applicable). They then register the change of ownership at the Land Registry, making your ownership of the property official.

Use our conveyancing fees calculator to get instant, transparent quotes from SRA-regulated solicitors and CLC-licensed conveyancers across the UK, and start your property transaction with confidence.