We have detailed our fixed fees below for our conveyancing and probate services in line with the guidelines set down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. For guidance on fees for our other services please get in touch and we'll be happy to advise.
Conveyancing Fees
Residential Conveyancing - Our Fees
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property, and it applies whether you are buying, selling, or remortgaging your home. It involves a number of key stages - from reviewing and exchanging contracts, to carrying out searches, liaising with your mortgage lender, and registering the completed transaction with HM Land Registry.
At HKB Wiltshires, we are committed to being open and transparent about our charges so that you can budget with confidence from the outset. In accordance with the SRA Transparency Rules, the information below sets out our fees for residential conveyancing matters.
Our Legal Fees
Our fees cover all the work required to take your matter through to completion. The exact cost will depend on a number of factors, including the value and nature of the property (freehold or leasehold), whether you are purchasing with a mortgage, and the complexity of the transaction. Details of our fees for the most common types of residential transaction are set out below.
All fees are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate (currently 20%).
Disbursements
In addition to our legal fees, your transaction will involve disbursements - payments made to third parties on your behalf. These are not our charges; they are costs such as search fees, Land Registry fees, and Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) where applicable. We will always provide you with a clear breakdown of anticipated disbursements at the outset of your matter, and we will seek your approval before incurring any unexpected additional costs.
What Can Affect the Cost?
While we aim to provide as accurate an estimate as possible, certain factors can affect the overall cost of your transaction, including:
- Whether the property is freehold or leasehold (leasehold transactions typically involve more work and additional third-party fees)
- The purchase price of the property
- Whether you are buying with a mortgage
- Whether the property is a new build
- Whether you are a first-time buyer
- Whether any title defects or complications arise during the transaction
If any such issues come to light, we will notify you as soon as possible and discuss any revised costs before proceeding.
How Long Will My Transaction Take?
The time it takes to complete a residential property transaction varies. A straightforward freehold purchase or sale typically takes between 8 and 12 weeks from the point of instruction, though this can be longer where a chain is involved, searches are delayed, or additional enquiries are required. Leasehold transactions often take longer due to the additional documentation required from landlords and managing agents.
We will keep you updated throughout the process and give you regular progress reports so you are never left wondering where things stand.
Conveyancing Fees
| Property Value | Sale | Purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £1,000,000 | From £750.00 + VAT to £1,900.00 + VAT | From £800.00 + VAT to £2,000.00 + VAT |
| £1,000,001 and above | Please contact us for a bespoke fee estimate | Please contact us for a bespoke fee estimate |
DISBURSEMENTS
- Searches - £220.00
- Pre-exchange Land Registry Search - £8.80
- Bankruptcy Search - £7.80
- Identification Check (per two checks) - £35.00 + VAT
- Office Copies - £8.80 per document
- Companies House Registration of Charge - £14.00
- Land Registry fee (based on property value) Between £20.00 - £1,105.00
- Lawyer Check (if applicable) - £15.00 + VAT
- Help to Buy Isa/ Lifetime ISA - £50.00 + VAT
ADDITIONAL MATTER TYPES AND CHARGES
- Auction sale or purchase - From £725.00 + VAT
- Chalet sale or purchase - £750.00
- Lease Extension - £995.00 + VAT
- First Registration (with deeds) - From £450.00 + VAT
- First Registration (without deeds) - From £750.00 + VAT
- Equity Release - From £775.00 + VAT
- Remortgage - £450.00 + VAT
- Transfer and Remortgage - £750.00 + VAT
- Transfer - From £350 + VAT
- Unregistered Property - £200.00 + VAT
- Help to Buy Equity Loan - £300.00 + VAT
- Help to Buy Redemption - £100.00 + VAT
- New Build - £200.00 + VAT
- Leasehold sale or purchase - Minimum £200.00 + VAT
- Declaration of Trust - £200.00 + VAT
- Stamp Duty Land Tax Submission - £75.00 + VAT
- Shared Ownership - £350.00 + VAT
- Companies House Charge Admin Fee - £20.00 + VAT
- Independent Legal Advice - £280.00 + VAT
- Occupier’s Consent - £175.00 + VAT
- Statement of Truth/ Statutory Declaration - £75.00 + VAT
Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney & Probate - Our Fees
Planning for the future and managing the affairs of a loved one who has died are among the most personal legal matters we deal with. Our private client team is here to guide you through each process with clarity, sensitivity, and a straightforward approach.
Wills
A Will is the clearest way to ensure your wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected after your death. Without one, your estate will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy, which may not reflect your intentions. We offer fixed fees for Will preparation, whether you need a straightforward single Will or mirror Wills for a couple. More complex arrangements - such as Wills incorporating trusts — will be quoted individually following an initial discussion. All fees are subject to VAT at 20%.
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
An LPA allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the capacity to do so - whether through illness, accident, or old age. There are two types: one covering Property & Financial Affairs, and one covering Health & Welfare. We recommend considering both. Our fees for preparing and registering LPAs are set out below. Please note that a registration fee is also payable to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) per LPA, though this may be reduced or waived depending on your financial circumstances. Once submitted, the OPG currently takes around 10 weeks to process and return a registered LPA.
Probate & Estate Administration
When someone dies, their estate usually needs to be administered - a process that can involve applying for a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration where there is no Will), dealing with assets and liabilities, reporting to HMRC where Inheritance Tax is relevant, and ultimately distributing the estate to beneficiaries. Every estate is different, so costs can vary considerably depending on the size and complexity of the estate, whether Inheritance Tax applies, and the level of support required. Our fees and indicative timescales for the most common types of probate matter are set out below. In straightforward cases we may be able to offer a fixed fee; in more complex estates, we charge on an hourly rate basis and will always provide an estimate at the outset. We will keep you updated on costs throughout, so there are no surprises.
Disbursements - such as the Probate Registry court fee and any statutory notices - are payable in addition to our legal fees and will be itemised clearly in our estimate.
Wills
| Single | Mirror | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Will | £250.00 + VAT – £350.00 + VAT | £400.00 + VAT – £500.00 + VAT |
| Will requiring Life Interest of Property only | Minimum of £550.00 + VAT | Minimum of £800.00 + VAT |
| Will requiring Life Interest of Estate | Minimum of £450.00 + VAT | Minimum of £650.00 + VAT |
| Will requiring Right of Occupation | Minimum of £550.00 + VAT | Minimum of £650.00 + VAT |
Lasting Powers of Attorney
| Single | Mirror | |
|---|---|---|
| Property and Financial Affairs or Health and Welfare | £450.00 + VAT | £650.00 + VAT |
| Property and Financial Affairs and Health and Welfare | £650.00 + VAT | £950.00 + VAT |
| General Power of Attorney | £200.00 + VAT | — |
Probate
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application for the Grant (without IHT400, or all relevant information supplied) | £1,500.00 + VAT |
| Application for the Grant (with IHT400 and all relevant information supplied) | £2,000.00 + VAT |
| Application for the Grant (with IHT400 but without all relevant information supplied) | Minimum of £2,500.00 + VAT |
| Deed of Variation | £500.00 + VAT |
| Renunciation | £200.00 + VAT |
For a straightforward estate, a charge of 1% of the gross estate value will apply.
Where additional work is required for a complex estate, an hourly rate of £280.00 + VAT per hour will apply.