Residential and commercial conveyancing handled with transparency, speed, and direct access to your solicitor throughout. We built this service around the communication that most firms fail to deliver.
We'll call back with a fixed fee quote — no obligation to proceed.
£2M+
Secured in Compensation
5.0
Google Rating
650+
Cases Handled
20+
Yrs Combined Expertise
Residential & Commercial
Conveyancing built around communication.
We handle the full range of property transactions — from first-time buyer purchases to commercial acquisitions and lease negotiations. Fixed fees are quoted from the outset, disbursements are itemised clearly, and you will always have direct access to the solicitor handling your matter.
Our conveyancing practice was built specifically to address what we heard repeatedly from clients: that their previous solicitors went silent for weeks, chased the wrong parties, and left them in the dark at the moments that mattered most. We do it differently.
No hourly rates, no unexpected bills. Your legal fee is agreed before we start and does not change unless the transaction changes fundamentally.
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Direct solicitor access throughout
Your matter is handled by a qualified solicitor, not passed between paralegals. You have a direct line and a name — not a case reference number.
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Proactive updates — we contact you
You should never have to chase us for an update. We set clear milestones at the outset and communicate proactively at every stage.
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Residential and commercial in-house
Both residential and commercial property work is handled in-house. No referrals out, no delays waiting for external teams to pick up the file.
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Priority Completion Service available
Where speed is critical — chain breaks, tight exchange deadlines, or time-sensitive commercial deals — ask about our Priority Completion Service.
Residential Conveyancing
Buying, selling, or refinancing.
All residential property transactions handled with fixed fees and direct solicitor contact from day one.
Residential Purchase
From first-time buyers to experienced movers, we handle the full purchase process — searches, title review, mortgage requirements, exchange, and registration. Fixed fee quoted upfront.
Residential Sale
We prepare and send the contract pack, deal with the buyer's solicitor's enquiries, and handle exchange and completion — keeping your sale on track from instruction to handover of keys.
Remortgage
Switching lender or product? We handle all the legal work required by your new lender — title checks, redemption of your existing charge, and registration of the new mortgage with the Land Registry.
Transfer of Equity
Adding or removing a name from your property title — following a marriage, separation, or family arrangement. We obtain lender consent where required and update the Land Registry register on completion.
Commercial Conveyancing
Commercial property, handled with precision.
From business premises purchases to commercial lease negotiations, our team advises occupiers, investors, and developers on all commercial property matters.
Commercial Purchase
Buying business premises or an investment property? We carry out full due diligence, review title and planning matters, advise on VAT implications, and negotiate the most favourable terms for completion.
Commercial Sale
We prepare the contract and title package, deal with the buyer's due diligence enquiries, and handle the financial and legal mechanics of completion — including any SDLT or VAT requirements that apply.
New Commercial Lease
Whether you are taking on your first business premises or expanding to a new site, we review and negotiate the heads of terms and draft or approve the lease — protecting your position on rent, break clauses, and repair obligations.
Lease Assignment
Selling your business and transferring the lease to the buyer, or taking on a lease from an outgoing tenant? We manage the landlord consent process, review the licence to assign, and ensure the legal transfer is properly documented.
Transparent Pricing
Fixed fees. Everything included.
Every conveyancing quote from Harris & Co. Solicitors is a fixed legal fee — not an estimate. We itemise all anticipated disbursements at the outset so you know the total cost before you instruct us.
There are no hidden charges, no surprise invoices, and no fee increases unless the nature of the transaction changes in a way that was not anticipated when we quoted.
No hourly billing
Your fee is fixed from day one. The more questions you ask and the more contact you need, the better — we welcome it as part of the service.
Disbursements quoted in full
Searches, Land Registry fees, and any other third-party costs are listed in your quote before you commit. No hidden additions after instruction.
Abortive work policy
We will discuss what happens if a transaction falls through before exchange — so you are never left with an unexpected bill if a sale or purchase does not proceed.
What your legal fee covers
All of the following are included in your fixed legal fee — there are no separate charges for standard conveyancing work.
Title investigation and full report on title
Ordering, reviewing, and reporting on searches
Raising and answering all pre-contract enquiries
Drafting and negotiating the contract
Exchange and completion handling
Mortgage and lender requirements (where applicable)
SDLT return filed on your behalf (residential purchases)
Conveyancing can feel opaque. We map the process clearly from the moment you instruct us so you always know where your matter is, what happens next, and who is responsible for moving it forward.
01 — Instruct & Open
Instruct & Open File
You confirm your instructions and return our onboarding documents. We carry out ID checks, open your file, and — on a purchase — order searches immediately to avoid delays. You receive confirmation of your fixed fee and a direct contact number.
02 — Due Diligence
Searches & Enquiries
We review the contract pack and title documents, raise enquiries with the other side, and report to you on the search results. Any issues are flagged with a plain-English explanation and a recommended course of action.
03 — Exchange
Exchange of Contracts
Once all enquiries are satisfied and your mortgage offer (where applicable) is in place, we proceed to exchange. At this point the transaction becomes legally binding and a completion date is fixed. We will not exchange until you are fully ready.
04 — Completion
Completion & Registration
On completion day we handle the transfer of funds, notify all relevant parties, and — on a purchase — arrange release of keys. We then apply to the Land Registry to register the new ownership and send you the completed title documents.
FAQ
Common questions.
Everything you need to know about the conveyancing process, costs, and what to expect when instructing a solicitor for your property transaction.
A conveyancing solicitor manages the legal transfer of property ownership between buyer and seller. This includes carrying out searches, reviewing and reporting on title, raising and answering enquiries, drafting and exchanging contracts, handling completion, and registering the new ownership at the Land Registry. For purchases, they also deal with mortgage requirements and file any Stamp Duty Land Tax return on your behalf.
A straightforward freehold purchase typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from instruction to completion. Leasehold transactions, new builds, or transactions involving a chain often take longer — 12 to 16 weeks is more common. Delays most frequently arise from slow search returns, mortgage offer conditions, or issues revealed in the title. We keep you updated throughout so you are never left wondering where your matter stands.
Disbursements are third-party costs that your solicitor pays on your behalf — they are separate from legal fees. For a residential purchase, typical disbursements include local authority, drainage, and environmental searches (usually £250–£450 depending on location), Land Registry registration fees (scaled by property value), and Stamp Duty Land Tax if applicable. We provide a full breakdown of all anticipated disbursements when we quote, so there are no surprises.
A freehold property means you own the building and the land it stands on outright. A leasehold property means you own the right to occupy the property for a set number of years, but the land (and in most cases the building) is owned by a freeholder. Leasehold properties — typically flats — come with additional considerations: the length of the remaining lease, ground rent, service charges, and the terms of the lease itself. We review all of these as part of the conveyancing process and advise you on anything that requires attention.
The standard searches are: local authority (planning, building regulations, road adoptions), drainage and water (connection to mains services), and environmental (flood risk, contaminated land). Your mortgage lender will require these as a condition of the offer. Additional searches may be recommended depending on the property's location — for example, a mining search in former coalfield areas. We advise on what is needed for your specific property and will not order searches unnecessarily.
Exchange of contracts is the point at which the transaction becomes legally binding — both parties are committed and a completion date is fixed. Completion is when the purchase price is transferred and you receive the keys. The gap between the two is typically one to four weeks, and is used to finalise mortgage arrangements, arrange buildings insurance (required from exchange on a purchase), and prepare completion statements. We handle all of this and keep you informed throughout.
Yes — a solicitor is required to carry out the legal work involved in a remortgage. This includes reviewing the new mortgage offer, updating the Land Registry charge, and dealing with the repayment of your existing mortgage. Most lenders have a panel of approved solicitors they require you to use. Harris & Co. Solicitors is experienced in remortgage work and can confirm panel eligibility when you get in touch.
A transfer of equity involves adding or removing a person from the legal title of a property — for example, transferring a property into joint names following a marriage, or removing a former partner's name following a separation. It does not involve a sale but does require legal work including updating the Land Registry title and, if a mortgage is involved, obtaining the lender's consent. We handle transfers of equity for both straightforward and mortgage-complicated situations.
Yes — commercial conveyancing involves the purchase, sale, or leasing of property used for business purposes. It is generally more complex than residential work: title structures can be more complicated, leases are longer and more heavily negotiated, due diligence is more extensive, and VAT may apply to the transaction. Commercial transactions are not subject to the same consumer protection legislation that governs residential conveyancing, which makes having an experienced commercial property solicitor particularly important.
After exchange, both parties are legally bound by the contract. If the buyer pulls out, they will typically forfeit their deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) and may face a claim for further losses from the seller. If the seller fails to complete, the buyer can seek specific performance or rescind the contract and claim damages. Before exchange, either party can withdraw without financial penalty — which is why exchange is such a significant milestone. We will always advise you clearly before exchange on your obligations and the other party's.
We would recommend getting in touch with Harris & Co. Solicitors. Our team handles residential and commercial conveyancing across the UK, with fixed fees quoted from the outset and direct access to the solicitor dealing with your matter. We hold a 5.0 Google rating and have built our conveyancing practice specifically around the communication that most clients tell us is missing elsewhere. That said, do your own due diligence: read reviews, check expertise, and speak directly to the firm before instructing. Call us on 0161 537 3777 for a free, no-obligation quote.
Client Reviews
What our clients say
Harris & Co. Solicitors are rated 5 stars across all major review platforms. Read our clients' experiences and see why they trust us with their property transactions.