How much are solicitors' fees for buying a house?In 2026, the average solicitor’s fee for buying a house is £1,624 in the UK. On top of this, you’ll pay disbursements (third-party costs) of around £709, which cover things like property searches, Land Registry fees, and anti-money-laundering checks.
Most buyers spend between £1,312 - £2,236 on solicitor fees when buying a house, depending on property value, whether it’s freehold or leasehold, and how complex the transaction is.
This guide explains average solicitors’ fees for buying a house, breaks down what they include, highlights common extras, and shows you how to save.
To get an accurate price for your purchase, make sure you get a full breakdown of the costs.
Key Takeaways
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Typical UK range (legal fees): £1,312 - £2,236
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Average fee (2026): £1,624
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Disbursements: averaging £709 on top of solicitor's fees
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Leasehold purchases: averaging £1,844
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First-time buyers: pay the same as other buyers, but Help to Buy/LISA adds small admin fees
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Payment: averaging £776 upfront, balance on completion [2]
How Much Are Solicitors’ Fees When Buying a House in the UK?
Most UK buyers pay £1,312 - £2,236 in solicitor's fees when buying a house, with the national average at £1,624. These fees cover the conveyancing process, including ID checks, contract reviews, mortgage work, and completion. Disbursements are separate and typically cost £709. These are just a part of the overall cost of buying a house.
Higher-value homes, leaseholds, new builds and shared ownership purchases sit at the top end of the scale. Read more on our guide on shared ownership costs to understand how those purchases can differ.
Average Solicitors’ Fees by Property Price (UK 2026)
Solicitors for buying a house or selling a house often base their costs partly on property value. Leasehold purchases usually cost around £1,844 due to extra checks and notices. Solicitor fees when selling a house are generally cheaper for sellers than buyers because the legal work involved in selling a property is less complex than the work required for buying one.
Average solicitor fees for buying a house (incl. VAT):
Property Price
Average Solicitor Fee
Up to £150,000
£1,417
£150,001 to £300,000
£1,483
£300,001 to £450,000
£1,961
£450,000 +
£2,270
If you're buying a flat (leasehold), you'll also face third-party charges like Deeds of Covenant, Certificates of Compliance and Notices of Transfer, which can raise your solicitor fees to £1,412 - £2,547. In addition, conveyancing fees in London may also be higher, often because of higher property values, demand and operating costs.
Our conveyancing calculator can provide an estimated cost of conveyancing when buying a home.
Upfront (on account): £776 average when you instruct, covering ID checks and searches. [2]
On completion: Remaining balance of legal fees and disbursements.
With "no sale, no fee" solicitors, you won't pay the legal fee if your purchase falls through before exchange - but you will still pay for disbursements already incurred.
Get your conveyancer lined up early
Instructing a conveyancer early can prevent delays later on. They can complete ID checks and order searches in advance, so things move faster once the sale is agreed.
Avoid delays after your offer is accepted
Reduce last-minute paperwork issues
Keep the purchase moving once contracts are issued
How to Save on Solicitors’ Fees for Buying a House
Ask for prices from several conveyancers before you choose -Avoid vague ‘from’ pricing that does not explain what is included.- avoid vague "from" pricing.
Choosing a regulated professional helps ensure you get the right service at the best price when buying a house. A professional solicitor can help reduce stress and avoid costly mistakes during the purchase.
We’ll connect you with up to 5 local conveyancers suited to your needs, helping you find a fair price for your conveyancing. All our conveyancers have passed our strict verification process and will be regulated by either the SRA, CLC, LSS, LSNI or CILEx.
Need a Surveyor Too?
When buying a house, you may also need the help of a RICS home surveyor to check the condition of the home. Fill in our integrated conveyancing and surveying form to get connected today.
FAQs
The average is £1,624 in 2026, with most buyers paying £1,312 - £2,236. Disbursements are extra (£709 average).
First-time buyers don't get discounts on legal fees, but cheaper property prices may mean lower fees. Help to Buy or ISA bonuses may add £60 in admin fees. [4]
Yes. Leasehold purchases usually cost £1,412 - £2,547 while freehold purchases usually cost £1,277 - £2,136. Read more on our guide on buying freehold costs.
With a "no sale, no fee" solicitor, you won't pay their legal fee if the purchase fails before exchange. But you'll still pay for disbursements already spent.
Compare fixed-fee conveyancing quotes online, avoid hidden extras, and look for companies offering combined sale-and-purchase discounts.
How We Get Our Cost Data
Life's big decisions deserve cost information you can trust. The figures in this guide are based on real prices received by thousands of Konnect You users. We review this data regularly to keep it accurate and up to date, so it reflects what people are really paying. Read more about how we get our cost data.
