Conveyancing in Bristol
Trusted conveyancing through our recommended partner
Every property purchase or sale needs a conveyancer to handle the legal side, and getting a good one lined up early saves you weeks later on. We’re estate agents, not solicitors, so we introduce our clients to people who do conveyancing properly. We work with Lyons Bowe in Bristol, and can point you towards other good local firms if you’d rather have options.
What a conveyancer actually does
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one party to another. Your conveyancer (a solicitor or licensed conveyancer) handles all the legal work between you accepting or making an offer and the day you complete. Specifically, they:
- Check the legal title of the property and flag any restrictions or issues.
- Run property searches: local authority, water and drainage, environmental, and any extras the property needs.
- Review the lease, ground rent and service charges if it’s a leasehold property.
- Raise and answer pre-contract enquiries with the other side’s solicitor.
- Manage the exchange of contracts and the deposit.
- Handle the money transfer on completion day.
- File the stamp duty return with HMRC (on a purchase).
- Register the new ownership with the Land Registry.
Why we work with Lyons Bowe
Lyons Bowe handle a high volume of property transactions across Bristol. We recommend them because they’re responsive, they offer fixed-fee conveyancing (so you know the cost up front), and they know the local quirks, period properties, leasehold flats, the way Bristol City Council searches come back.
Responsiveness matters more than people expect in conveyancing. When there’s a chain to manage, the difference between a solicitor who replies the same day and one who takes a week is the difference between completing on time and watching the chain wobble. Lyons Bowe are the former.
How conveyancing works, step by step
From offer accepted to completion, conveyancing typically takes 8 to 12 weeks on a standard transaction. Here’s the rough shape:
- Instruct your conveyancer. As soon as your offer is accepted (or you accept an offer), instruct your conveyancer so they can get started.
- Searches ordered. Your conveyancer orders local authority, water, drainage and environmental searches. These typically take 2 to 6 weeks, largely controlled by the local council.
- Enquiries raised and answered. The buyer’s side raises questions about the property; the seller’s side answers. This goes back and forth until everyone’s satisfied.
- Mortgage offer and survey. Happening in parallel: the buyer’s lender issues a mortgage offer and the buyer arranges a survey.
- Exchange of contracts. Once everyone’s ready, contracts are exchanged and the deposit is paid. The transaction becomes legally binding.
- Completion. Money transfers, the property changes hands, keys are handed over. Your conveyancer files stamp duty and registers the new ownership.
What conveyancing costs in Bristol
Conveyancing fees in Bristol typically run £800 to £1,500 plus VAT for a standard freehold purchase. Leasehold purchases cost more (£1,200 to £1,800) because there’s additional work reviewing the lease. On top of the legal fee you’ll pay for searches (£250 to £450 typically), the Land Registry fee (£30 to £455 depending on the price), and any other disbursements your conveyancer flags.
Lyons Bowe offer fixed-fee conveyancing, so you’ll know the full cost before you commit. Worth getting a quote up front.
Conveyancing for buyers and sellers
If you're buying
Your conveyancer checks the title, runs the searches, reviews the contract, raises enquiries, handles your deposit and the money transfer, files your stamp duty, and registers you as the new owner. They’re protecting your interests throughout.
If you're selling
Your conveyancer drafts the contract, answers the buyer’s enquiries, deals with your existing mortgage redemption, and manages the money on completion. Worth instructing them early, before you’ve even accepted an offer if possible, so there’s no delay once a sale is agreed.
How we introduce you
Tell us you’d like a conveyancing quote, when you buy or sell with us, or via the contact form, and we’ll put you in touch with Lyons Bowe. There’s no charge for the introduction, no obligation, and you’re free to use any conveyancer you like. This is simply who we recommend.
Common questions about conveyancing
Some of the most common questions we get. If you still have questions, feel free to contact us below.
Does Bristol Property Centre do conveyancing?
No, we’re estate and letting agents, not solicitors. We introduce you to Lyons Bowe, our recommended conveyancing partner, or can recommend other good local firms. The introduction is free and there’s no obligation.
How much does conveyancing cost in Bristol?
Typically £800 to £1,500 plus VAT for a standard freehold purchase, more for leasehold (£1,200 to £1,800). On top you’ll pay for searches (£250 to £450) and the Land Registry fee (£30 to £455). Lyons Bowe offer fixed fees so you’ll know the total up front.
How long does conveyancing take?
Usually 8 to 12 weeks from offer accepted to exchange, sometimes faster for cash buyers or chain-free transactions. Most delays come from waiting on searches (controlled by the council) or slow responses from the other side’s solicitor.
When should I instruct a conveyancer?
As early as possible. Buyers should have one lined up before they make an offer; sellers should instruct one as soon as they go on the market. Getting the legal side moving early prevents delays once a sale is agreed.
Do I have to use Lyons Bowe?
No. Lyons Bowe are who we recommend, but you’re free to use any conveyancer or solicitor you like. We can also recommend other good local firms if you’d prefer an alternative.
What's the difference between a conveyancer and a solicitor?
A licensed conveyancer specialises only in property law, while a solicitor is qualified across a broader range of law and may also do conveyancing. For a standard property transaction, either is fine. For anything complex (probate, contested matters), a solicitor may be better placed.
Buying or selling? Get the legal side sorted
We’ll happily introduce you to Lyons Bowe, or you can go direct. Getting your conveyancer lined up early keeps everything moving.