Do I have to use my estate agent's solicitor?

1 What an estate agent can recommend

An agent may have a conveyancing firm they regularly work with. You can ask for a quote from that firm and compare it with others before deciding. GOV.UK confirms that you do not have to use a recommended company and that you must be told about a referral payment.

The useful question is whether the proposed firm suits your purchase or sale. Ask what the recommendation is based on: experience with your type of property, a working relationship, a referral arrangement, or a combination.

2 Ask how the referral fee works

A referral fee is a payment from one business to another for an introduction. The government home-buying guide explains that an estate agent must tell you about referral fees upfront. A payment does not tell you whether the quote is competitive or whether the service will suit you.

• Does the agent receive a payment if I instruct this firm?
• How much is it, and who pays it?
• Will my price be different if I approach the firm directly?

Ask for the answers in writing alongside the quote. Apply the same questions to any introduction service you use. MoveGuide is a conveyancing comparison and onboarding service. Our £150 onboarding payment is included in the quoted price and credited against the final bill, so do not add it twice. Check the payment and cancellation terms before proceeding. Our panel does not represent every conveyancing firm.

3 Compare what you would actually pay

Put the quotes next to each other and check that each firm has the same property and mortgage details. A lower headline legal fee tells you little if the other charges are missing. The SRA price-transparency requirements cover costs, VAT, likely disbursements and what the quoted service includes and excludes.

Keep the quote and the engagement terms together. If the two appear inconsistent, ask the firm to explain before you agree to proceed. Our conveyancing costs guide explains the main parts of a bill.

4 Check the lender and the person handling the file

If you are getting a mortgage, ask whether the firm is approved to act for your particular lender. Give the lender’s name rather than asking whether the firm is “on the panel”. MoneyHelper recommends checking lender approval, relevant property experience and contact arrangements.

Ask who will handle your file, how to reach them and who covers their absence. If an agent says its recommended firm will be quicker, ask the firm when it can open your file and what it needs from you. An introduction alone does not establish a completion date.

For a fuller shortlist, use our guide to choosing a conveyancer. Choose on the answers you receive, not just the label “local” or “online”.

5 What to say if you want to choose your own firm

You can keep the reply short. Adapt this wording to your move:

Once you appoint a firm, send its details to the agent promptly so the sale paperwork reaches the right person. If you feel pressured, ask the agent to put the proposed requirement in writing. You can raise a complaint with the agency; GOV.UK explains the estate-agent complaints and redress routes.

6 Already agreed to use the recommended firm?

First check what you agreed to and whether work has started. Ask the firm for a written account of work done and costs incurred. Getting another quote does not itself end your existing agreement. Before arranging a transfer, confirm the position with both firms, including fees and the effect on your transaction.

This guide gives general information for England and Wales. For advice about an existing contract or a dispute, speak to a regulated legal professional.