Solicitor Quotes

If you're purchasing or remortgaging, yes - a solicitor is required to carry out the legal work involved. The only exception is if you're simply switching rates with your existing lender (a product transfer) or borrowing more from your existing lender, in which case a solicitor isn't normally needed.

We need these details for your full mortgage application, so it's something we'll need confirmed early on - whether that's your own solicitor or one we've quoted for you.

Yes, you're free to source your own solicitor for a purchase or remortgage. One thing worth knowing: if you go this route, we won't receive any updates or communication from your solicitor, so we're unable to chase progress or support you with the legal side - you'd deal with this directly.

In short, no. Some solicitors are not on every mortgage lender's panel. We have seen it several times when someone has instructed their solicitor before arranging their mortgage and this has meant that they either need to change solicitors or change lender (neither option is great as it could end up costing more if you have already paid some funds to a solicitor to start work on your case or if it means you have to take a more expensive mortgage product).

• It's often quicker and easier. We work with providers who use online portals, so you get a fast, straightforward quote without having to ring round and compare yourself.

• It's often cheaper. The providers we use can frequently offer better pricing than you'd find shopping around on your own.

• We chase it for you. Conveyancing is notorious for going quiet for weeks at a time. Not only would you have an online portal to view any updates but we also have a dedicated Business Development Manager whose job includes chasing your case on your behalf - so you're not the one stuck ringing the solicitor for updates.

• One less thing to organise. You're already dealing with us for your mortgage — getting your legal quote at the same time saves you having to find and vet a solicitor separately.

No. It's a quote, not a requirement. You're free to use your own solicitor if you'd prefer - we're simply offering a convenient, and usually cost-effective, alternative.

Not necessarily, and this is worth a conversation with us first. With a free legal fees product, the lender's solicitor acts for the lender, and you're typically serviced by whichever solicitor the lender has assigned - with limited flexibility if things change.

​

In many cases, we'd recommend choosing a cashback product instead, and using the cashback to pay for your own solicitor. Here's why:

​

• You become the solicitor's client, rather than the lender being their client - meaning the solicitor is working for you.

• You typically get a better level of service and more regular updates.

• You have more flexibility if your circumstances or the lender changes during the process.

• The cashback offered by lenders often covers most or all of the legal cost anyway, so you're not necessarily paying more out of pocket. 

We'll talk you through the numbers on your specific case so you can see which option actually works out best for you.

The main one is visibility. Because it's arranged directly by the lender, we have no control over it and don't receive any updates on progress or completion dates. In our experience, this service can be slow, and communication is often poor - which is one of the main reasons we usually recommend the cashback route instead.

Email us at info@vfinances.co.uk and we will contact you to grab some details to provide you with some instant quotes.