When you buy or sell a home, someone has to make sure the ownership changes hands correctly.
That’s the job of a conveyancer, the professional who handles the legal side of moving home.
1. The job
You’re trying to buy or sell a property. That means transferring legal ownership, completing searches, signing contracts, and sending large sums of money safely between parties.
That process is called conveyancing. You can do it yourself, but most people hire a professional.
2. Why it feels difficult
Property law is detailed and deadline-driven. Every part of the purchase or sale, from title checks to completion funds, has to line up in sequence.
One missed signature or overlooked document can hold up the whole chain.
Most buyers and sellers only go through it a handful of times in their life. The paperwork, legal terms, and timelines are unfamiliar, which is why people tend to outsource it.
3. The true struggle
It’s not the forms that cause stress, it’s knowing what matters and when.
Should you pay for searches now or wait for your mortgage offer?
What happens if the seller’s solicitor hasn’t sent the draft contract yet?
A good conveyancer doesn’t just process documents. They explain what’s happening and keep things moving.
4. The simpler way forward
You are allowed to represent yourself, it’s called acting “as your own conveyancer.” But it’s technical, time-sensitive work, and lenders rarely allow it if there’s a mortgage involved.
That’s why almost everyone outsources it.
Think of a conveyancer as your project manager for the legal side of moving.
They:
- Check the property title and flag issues such as boundaries, access rights, or restrictions
- Order local authority, water, and environmental searches
- Liaise with the other party’s solicitor to progress contracts
- Manage the transfer of funds and coordinate completion day
- Register the new ownership with HM Land Registry
You can’t complete a property purchase or sale without this process being done correctly, whether by you or a professional.
5. Practical steps to find a good conveyancer
Start early. Get quotes as soon as your offer is accepted, it saves time later.
Check they’re regulated. In England and Wales, that’s the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
Ask about their workload. A busy conveyancer can slow things down.
Read the quote carefully. Make sure it includes disbursements like searches and bank transfer fees.
You can explore regulated conveyancers through UK Property Looker, which helps you see who’s active in your area and compare based on experience, not just price.
6. What to expect
A straightforward freehold purchase often takes 8–12 weeks from offer to completion. Leaseholds or long chains can take longer.
A good conveyancer keeps you informed and manages expectations when delays appear, because they often do.
7. Reflect
The right conveyancer won’t make the move stress-free, but they will make it manageable, and that’s often what matters most.