The transaction
A sale, purchase, remortgage or transfer of equity involves a different scope of work. Buying and selling creates two transactions, so compare both sides.
onthemoov • England & Wales
Conveyancing costs explained
Understand the total cost of your legal work: the quoted legal fee, VAT, searches and other charges. Compare the full breakdown before choosing a conveyancer.
Free quote. No obligation to instruct.
What makes up a conveyancing quote?
| Part of the cost | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Legal fee | The conveyancer’s work within the scope of the quotation. |
| VAT | VAT on taxable charges. Check whether each amount is shown inclusive or exclusive of VAT. |
| Searches and disbursements | Third-party costs such as property searches and HM Land Registry fees, where relevant. |
| Setup and package charges | Any separately priced administration or package services. Check what is included. |
| Property tax | Any applicable tax on a purchase, calculated for the property and your circumstances. |
A fixed legal fee does not mean every cost of moving is fixed. It applies to the work described in the quotation; further work or information can affect the total.
A worked example: how to read the total
Illustration only — these are invented figures, not onthemoov prices or an estimate for your property. This sample purchase assumes the listed work and costs only. Property tax and any additional charges are excluded.
| Illustrative item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Legal fee, excluding VAT | £800 |
| VAT on that legal fee at 20% | £160 |
| Search costs, including any applicable VAT in this example | £300 |
| Registration fee | £150 |
| Other quoted costs, including any applicable VAT in this example | £90 |
| Illustrative total, excluding property tax | £1,500 |
An upfront payment is not always an extra charge
If £250 is payable on account as part of this illustrative £1,500 total, the remaining balance for those listed costs is £1,250. Do not add the £250 again. If a payment is for a separately priced service, establish whether it is included in the quoted total.
Your real quotation will use the details you provide and its own breakdown. Confirm tax, exclusions and any additional work before instructing.
Why do quotes differ?
The property and funding
Leasehold, shared ownership, new builds, gifted deposits, lender requirements or unusual title issues may involve additional work. Give accurate details at the start.
Understand leasehold charges → · Check auction costs and deadlines →
Six questions before you instruct
- Does the total include VAT on each taxable charge?
- Are searches, registration and other disbursements included or estimated?
- Is property tax included, separate or still to be calculated?
- Which additional charges might apply to my specific move?
- What is payable upfront, and is it deducted from the total?
- What happens to each payment if the transaction falls through?
Review our current terms and additional-fee information → · Understand no-sale legal-fee protection →
Your questions, answered
Can I compare quotes using the legal fee alone?
Compare the full total and scope. A lower legal fee may sit alongside separate charges or exclude work included in another quotation.
Are searches the same as legal fees?
No. Searches are separate costs for information about the property. Check which searches are required and what your quote includes.
Is property tax part of the legal fee?
No. Tax payable on a purchase is separate from the fee for legal work. The amount depends on the property and your circumstances.
Can the total change after I receive a quote?
It can if the details change, further work is needed or third-party charges differ from the estimate. Ask for the reason and cost of any additional work to be explained before agreeing to it.
Ready for your next moov?
Get a quote based on your property and transaction, or talk the details through with our team.
onthemoov is a conveyancing broker. Your legal work is carried out by an independent SRA-regulated solicitor or CLC-regulated licensed conveyancer. Your quotation, selected package and applicable terms explain the scope and charges. Read our terms and fee information.
Explore: Leasehold quotes · Conveyancing costs · No sale, no legal fee · Auction conveyancing
