If you’re buying, selling or remortgaging in Manchester, the first question is almost always the same: what will conveyancing actually cost? At JP Goldman we quote a fixed fee upfront, in writing, before you instruct us, so the number you see today is the number you pay at completion.
Get an instant quote via our online calculator, or read on for a full breakdown of what conveyancing fees cover, how much conveyancing costs in Manchester, and what “no sale, no fee” really means.
How much does conveyancing cost in Manchester?
Conveyancing fees have two parts, and it’s worth knowing the difference before you compare quotes:
- Legal fees: what your solicitor charges for the work itself. This is the fixed fee we quote you.
- Disbursements: third-party costs your solicitor pays on your behalf, including local authority searches, Land Registry fees, bank transfer fees, and (where applicable) Stamp Duty Land Tax.
Our typical fixed legal fees:
| Transaction | Fixed fee |
| Buying (freehold) | £1,200 + VAT |
| Buying (leasehold) | £1,400 + VAT |
| Selling (freehold) | £1,200 + VAT |
| Selling (leasehold) | £1,400 + VAT |
| Remortgage | £450 + VAT |
These are typical figures, correct at the time of writing; property value and complexity (new build, shared ownership) can affect the final quote, and disbursements are itemised separately. Request a quote and you’ll see the full fixed fee, with legal fees and disbursements listed separately, before you commit. Nothing is added later. Wondering how long the process takes once you’ve instructed? See our full conveyancing timeline.
What’s included in our fixed conveyancing fee
- A dedicated conveyancer from instruction to completion, not a call centre queue
- All standard local authority, environmental, water and drainage searches
- Review and report on your contract, title and (for leasehold) lease terms
- Liaison with your mortgage lender, estate agent and the other side’s solicitor
- Structured case tracking so you always know the transaction stage
- No sale, no fee on residential purchase and sale instructions*
*Ask us for full terms. Some disbursements already paid (such as search fees) may not be refundable if a transaction falls through.
Buying your first home? Our first-time buyer conveyancing checklist walks through what to have ready before you instruct.
Why fixed fee, not hourly billing
Hourly-rate conveyancing is rare in residential property work, but “estimates” that grow once you’re committed are common. We fix the price at quote stage so a longer-than-expected chain, an extra round of enquiries, or a slow buyer doesn’t turn into a bigger bill. If your instruction changes materially (for example, a sale falls through and restarts on a different property), we’ll always confirm any fee change in writing before proceeding.
Why choose JP Goldman for fixed-fee conveyancing
We’re not just another law firm; we’re your local legal partner in Manchester. Our conveyancing team knows the local property market inside out and provides:
- Genuine fixed fees: we stick to our word
- Direct access to your conveyancer: no call centre ping-pong
- Speed and efficiency: we keep things moving
- Jargon-free advice: straight-talking legal guidance
- No hidden costs. Ever.
Don’t just take our word for it: read what our clients say.
Cheap conveyancing vs. fixed-fee conveyancing
“Cheap conveyancing” and “fixed-fee conveyancing” aren’t the same thing, and it’s worth knowing why before you choose on price alone. Our fixed fee conveyancing page sets out exactly what is fixed and what is not, and our no sale no fee page shows what you pay if the deal collapses. The cheapest headline quote is often the one with the most disbursements added afterwards, or the fewest included searches. Our fixed fee is designed to be the only number you need, so compare our full quote (legal fee plus disbursements) against any other firm’s full quote, not just the top line.
Frequently asked questions
What is a conveyancing fee? A conveyancing fee is the amount a solicitor or licensed conveyancer charges for handling the legal work of buying, selling, transferring or remortgaging a property. It usually excludes disbursements (search fees, Land Registry fees, Stamp Duty), which are billed separately but should be quoted at the same time.
How much do solicitors charge for conveyancing? Most UK conveyancing solicitors charge a fixed fee, typically between £500 and £1,500 plus VAT for a standard residential transaction, with disbursements on top. Fees rise for higher property values, leasehold titles, new-build purchases and shared ownership.
What are the average conveyancing costs in the UK? Average total conveyancing costs (legal fee plus disbursements plus Land Registry fee, excluding Stamp Duty) for a standard freehold purchase typically fall between £1,000 and £1,800, though this varies by property value, region and transaction complexity.
Is conveyancing cheaper with an online-only solicitor? Not always. Online-only firms can look cheaper on the headline quote but often add fees for phone contact, extra searches, or leasehold work. A local, fixed-fee firm that itemises the full cost upfront is usually easier to compare like-for-like.
Do I pay conveyancing fees if the sale falls through? With a no sale, no fee arrangement, you won’t pay our legal fee if a residential sale or purchase falls through. Disbursements already incurred with third parties (such as search providers) may not always be refundable, and we’ll confirm this in your fee quote.
The same fixed-fee approach applies whether you’re selling a probate property, buying at auction, or moving locally around our Urmston base.
Ready for your number? Get an instant fixed-fee conveyancing quote, or call us on 0161 850 5600.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Daniel Hewitt LL.B, Managing Director, JP Goldman · LinkedIn
Daniel leads the conveyancing team at JP Goldman, working from two offices: 3 Higher Road, Urmston, Greater Manchester and 50-52 Wheelock Street, Middlewich, Cheshire. He oversees every residential property file the firm takes on, and each client has a named fee earner who does not change part-way through the transaction.
This article is general information about the law in England and Wales and is not advice on your own circumstances. For advice on your matter, call 0161 850 5600.