When people think about moving home, they picture the exciting bits – the viewings, the offers, the “sold” board going up.
What they don’t think about? The solicitor.
And yet, choosing the right solicitor can be the difference between a smooth, stress-free move… and months of frustration, delays, and unanswered emails.
At Proceed Property, we’ve seen first-hand just how much impact your solicitor has on your sale and purchase. And if there’s one piece of advice we’d always give, it’s this:
Don’t choose based on price alone – and try using a smaller firm.
Here’s why.
Your Solicitor Is the Engine Room of the Transaction
Once a sale is agreed, your estate agent may have found the buyer – but it’s your solicitor who keeps everything moving.
They:
- Draft and review contracts
- Handle enquiries
- Manage searches
- Liaise with lenders
- Coordinate exchange and completion
- Protect you legally and financially
In other words, they are responsible for getting you safely from “offer accepted” to “keys in hand”.
If that engine stalls, the whole transaction slows down.
The Problem with Volume Firms
You’ve probably seen them online – ultra-cheap conveyancing quotes, national firms promising low fixed fees.
On paper, it looks appealing.
In reality? Volume firms operate on high caseloads and low margins. One case handler may be managing 100+ files at once. You’re rarely dealing with a named solicitor, and communication is often through generic inboxes or call centres.
What does that mean for you?
- Slow responses
- Difficulty speaking to the same person twice
- Chasing for updates
- Delays in raising or answering enquiries
- Increased risk of mistakes
And in a property chain, delays don’t just affect you – they affect everyone.
A £200 saving upfront can easily cost you weeks of stress.
The Joy of Choosing the Right Solicitor
When you choose a good, proactive, locally trusted solicitor, everything feels different.
You get:
Clear Communication
You know who you’re dealing with. They answer emails. They pick up the phone. They explain things in plain English.
Proactive Problem-Solving
Issues come up in almost every transaction – that’s normal. A good solicitor doesn’t just identify problems; they help find solutions.
Accountability
There’s real ownership over your file. You’re not just a reference number in a system.
Momentum
Property transactions need momentum. A responsive solicitor keeps enquiries moving, pushes for updates, and works collaboratively with agents and other solicitors.
Why We Don’t Recommend Volume Firms
At Proceed Property, our role is to protect your position and keep your move on track.
We’ve worked alongside enough conveyancers to know what works – and what doesn’t.
Volume firms often:
- Delay chains
- Create communication bottlenecks
- Increase stress for buyers and sellers
- Slow down exchange
We want your experience to feel exciting, not exhausting.
That’s why we recommend trusted, responsive solicitors who we know will pick up the phone, move files forward, and treat your transaction like it matters — because it does.
Moving Home Is Emotional – Your Support Team Matters
Buying or selling isn’t just paperwork. It’s:
- Upsizing for a growing family
- Downsizing after decades in a home
- Relocating for a new chapter
- Investing in your future
You deserve a team around you who understands that.
The right solicitor reduces anxiety. They give clarity. They create confidence.
And when exchange finally happens? It feels joyful – not like you’ve survived a battle.
Our Advice If You’re Choosing a Solicitor
Before instructing anyone, ask:
- Will I have a direct contact?
- How many files do you manage at once?
- What’s your average timescale to exchange?
- How do you communicate updates?
- Can I speak to you before I commit?
If they’re hard to reach before you’ve even instructed them, that’s usually a sign.
A Smooth Move Starts with the Right People
At Proceed Property, we work closely with carefully selected solicitors because we know how critical that relationship is.
Choosing the right solicitor isn’t the most glamorous part of moving – but it might just be the most important.
And when it’s done properly?
That’s when moving home really does become a joy.
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