Solicitor for Buying a House: First-Time Buyers’ Guide
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Yes, we always recommend hiring a solicitor, especially as a first-time buyer, because you haven't experienced the house buying process before, and will likely be unfamiliar with the steps involved.
A solicitor will carry out the following duties on your behalf:
Together, these services reduce the risk of delays, protect you from costly mistakes, and make the whole process far less stressful.
First-time buyer and Konnect You customer, Jesús, explains how integral their conveyancer was - "They helped us a lot - with the searches, with queries that we had, questions that we popped in by email. The communication was spot on.”
Conveyancing typically takes between 8 and 12 weeks, depending on the complexity of your case.
As a first-time buyer with no experience in house transactions, your conveyancer will explain the process in more detail so you have a clear understanding of what you can expect.
1. Draft contract
Your solicitor will review the first drafts of the contracts and put forward any enquiries to the seller's solicitor. If you're using a gifted deposit or have money in an ISA, your solicitor will complete the extra documentation and steps involved with this.
2. Property survey
It's strongly advised to arrange a RICS house survey in the pre-contract stage. This will help highlight potential issues with the home and determine the next steps in the buying process.
3. Conveyancing searches
Your solicitor will complete essential property conveyancing searches, which involve risk assessments and environmental checks.
4. Finalising your mortgage
Before contracts are signed, you must ensure your mortgage has been approved and is in place. Your conveyancer can then organise your funds from the lender.
Your lender may carry out extra checks if you have a limited credit history to ensure you are capable of keeping up with your mortgage payments.
5. Signing contracts
When all enquiries, forms and paperwork are completed and deposits have been transferred, you and the seller can sign the contracts.
6. Exchange of contracts
Once contracts are exchanged, your house purchase is legally binding, and neither party can pull out of the sale without financial repercussions.
7. Completion day
Completion day signifies the end of the conveyancing process, and the seller will pass on the keys to the property to the estate agent. You can then pick up the keys to the property you legally own.
As a first-time buyer, your conveyancer may need to send additional post-completion paperwork on your behalf to your lender. As you will have no chain, your process to completion will typically be simpler and quicker than if you were selling a home too.
As a first-time buyer, your legal costs are made up of the solicitor's own fee and several third-party charges. As you're not selling a home as part of the process, costs are typically lower, but you still need to consider the following fees:
These costs are based on the average house price of £292,000.* Data taken from HM Land Registry Registration Service Fees, HM Land Registry Bankruptcy Search Fees and HM Land Registry Information Service Fees.
Solicitor fees
Solicitor fees are what your solicitor will charge you for using their services. These charges cover the hours spent on your case and completing the necessary paperwork. Some solicitors charge a fixed fee, while others charge by the hour.
Disbursements
Disbursements are third-party costs associated with the conveyancing process, which include conveyancing searches and bank transfer fees.
Disbursements for first-time buyers are typically lower because you are less likely to pay Stamp Duty. Your solicitor will pay these charges on your behalf, but won't profit from them.
Use our Conveyancing Fees Calculator for an estimate of your conveyancing fees.
*Based on the average service costs for Konnect You users. See how our data works.
Here are some other costs to consider when moving home:
Furniture and decorating budget taken from Aldermore. All other data from Konnect You research. See how our data works.
The UK property market is being driven by newcomers, with first-time buyers making up the majority (over 54%) of all recent mortgage sales, according to Halifax.
As you're new to the process, choosing the right solicitor to guide you is more important than ever.
Research and gather recommendations
Start by creating a shortlist. The best way to do this is to:
Compare your options
Once you have a few names, compare them directly. Look at:
Decide between local and online
Determine the type of service that works best for you.
Ask about pricing
Before you commit, get clarity on all costs to avoid any surprises.
Answers to common questions about finding and choosing the best first-time buyer solicitors.
First-time buyers in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland are eligible for 'first-time buyer relief' and will likely not need to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). There is no first-time buyer relief in Wales, as their threshold applies to all buyers. Here is a breakdown of the thresholds for 2025:
Any costs over the threshold will be subject to SDLT charges. While some first-time buyers are subject to SDLT charges, fees are still lower than those already on the property ladder.
For example, if a property costs between £300,000-£500,000, SDLT is 5%. Anything over £500,000 is charged at standard SDLT rates.
Some solicitors offer a “no sale, no fee” guarantee, meaning you don’t pay the legal fee if your purchase falls through before exchanging contracts.
Any payments you have made to third parties, such as surveyors and local authorities, will not be refunded. Before beginning the process, check with your solicitor if they have the guarantee.
Buying a home is one of the most significant purchases a person can make, and it can take years to save the necessary funds to begin the process.
If you need additional support with your house purchase, there are several government-backed schemes and initiatives to consider:
You can speak to your solicitor regarding your eligibility criteria, and they can advise you on the most suitable option to consider based on your financial situation.
In some cases, you can purchase the home you rent, especially if this is through your local council or housing association. Your solicitor can offer you help and advice with your eligibility. Here are some options to consider:
Shared ownership
One of the most popular ways to purchase a home you're renting is through shared ownership. This allows you to purchase part of the home you reside in from the owner, typically the council, housing association or landlord.
As you only own part of the property, you will still pay rent, at a reduced rate, alongside your mortgage repayments. Each country in the UK has its own rules and eligibility criteria, so check with your local government for more information.
Purchase schemes
Various schemes in the UK provide opportunities for renters to purchase their rental property, including:
