Conveyancing Solicitor Quotes in Ireland
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Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from seller to buyer. In Ireland, both buyer and seller must have their own solicitor. This is not optional and not a formality: your conveyancing solicitor investigates the title, raises legal queries, handles contracts, manages stamp duty, and registers the property in your name. Without a competent solicitor, a property transaction can stall, cost you thousands in delays, or leave you with a legal problem attached to the property for years.
Conveyancing fees in Ireland typically range from €1,500 to €3,000 for a purchase and €1,200 to €2,500 for a sale. These fees cover the solicitor's professional work but do not include outlays (stamp duty, Land Registry fees, search fees), which are charged separately. The total you pay your solicitor includes both professional fees and outlays, so always ask for a breakdown of each.
Speed and communication are the two biggest differentiators between conveyancing solicitors. Some complete the process in 6 to 8 weeks from sale agreed. Others take 12 to 16 weeks due to heavy caseloads, slow response times, or inefficient processes. In a competitive property market, a slow solicitor can cost you a property. Estate agents will tell you that delayed conveyancing is the single biggest cause of sales falling through.
Comparing quotes from at least three conveyancing solicitors ensures competitive pricing and helps you assess responsiveness before you commit. How quickly they respond to your initial enquiry is a useful indicator of how quickly they will respond when time is critical during the transaction.
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Browse Guides on IrishPropertyGuide.ieHow Much Does Conveyancing Solicitor Cost in Ireland?
Typical pricing for conveyancing solicitor services in Ireland (2026):
| Service | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyancing (purchase) | €1,500 | €3,000 | Property value, complexity |
| Conveyancing (sale) | €1,200 | €2,500 | Property value |
| Conveyancing (sale + purchase) | €2,500 | €5,000 | Combined deal |
Conveyancing fees depend on whether you are buying, selling, or both, the property value (some solicitors charge a percentage), and the complexity (new build, second-hand, investment property, inheritance each have different requirements). Outlays (stamp duty at 1% for residential up to €1m, Land Registry fees, search fees) are separate from professional fees. Always request a quote that separates professional fees from outlays so you can compare like with like. Dublin solicitors are not necessarily more expensive than rural ones for conveyancing, as much of the work is done remotely.
What to Expect: The Conveyancing Solicitor Process
- Instruct your solicitor. They send a letter of engagement confirming their fees, terms, and the scope of work.
- The buyer's solicitor receives contracts and title documents from the seller's solicitor, reviews them, and raises requisitions (legal questions) on title.
- Searches are carried out: planning, bankruptcy, judgments, company, and local authority searches to identify any issues affecting the property.
- You sign the contracts and pay your deposit (typically 10% of the purchase price, held by the seller's solicitor as stakeholder).
- Your solicitor arranges mortgage drawdown with your lender, prepares closing documents, and carries out final pre-closing searches.
- Closing day. The balance of the purchase price is transferred. The seller's solicitor confirms receipt, releases the keys, and the property is yours.
- Post-closing. Your solicitor pays stamp duty to Revenue, registers the property with the Property Registration Authority in your name, and sends you a closing statement and the title documents.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a solicitor based solely on the lowest fee. A cheap solicitor who is slow, unresponsive, or makes errors costs you far more in stress, delays, and potentially a lost property than a slightly more expensive one who is efficient and communicative.
- Not instructing a solicitor before going sale agreed. When you find a property and your offer is accepted, things move fast. Having a solicitor already in place means they can start immediately. Scrambling to find one after sale agreed wastes critical days.
- Not asking for a full fee breakdown. Professional fees and outlays are different things. A quote of '€2,000 all-in' that does not include stamp duty, searches, and Land Registry is not all-in.
- Not responding promptly to your solicitor's requests. Conveyancing involves signing documents, providing identification, and responding to queries. Delays on your side slow the entire transaction.
- Assuming all solicitors are equally fast. Turnaround times vary dramatically. A solicitor who is responsive and proactive can save weeks compared to one who is slow and reactive.
What to Look for When Hiring a Conveyancing Solicitor Professional
Your solicitor must hold a current practising certificate from the Law Society of Ireland. Verify at lawsociety.ie. Ensure they have specific experience in residential conveyancing (some solicitors practise in other areas and do occasional conveyancing). Ask about their typical caseload and turnaround time. Professional indemnity insurance is mandatory for all solicitors. Be cautious of solicitors who cannot give you a clear fee estimate upfront, who are difficult to reach by phone or email, or who seem overly busy to take on your transaction in a timely manner.
Questions to Ask Your Conveyancing Solicitor Professional
- What is your all-in fee including outlays? You need to know the total cost, not just the professional fee. Outlays (stamp duty, searches, Land Registry) can add €2,000 to €20,000 depending on property value.
- What is your typical turnaround time? 6 to 8 weeks from sale agreed is efficient. If the solicitor says 12+ weeks as standard, your transaction may be unnecessarily slow.
- How will you communicate with me during the process? Regular updates by email or phone prevent the anxiety of not knowing where your transaction stands. Ask how often you can expect updates.
- Do you handle stamp duty and Land Registry registration? These are standard parts of conveyancing but some solicitors charge them as extras. Confirm they are included.
- Are there any additional charges beyond the quoted fee? Some solicitors charge for photocopying, postage, telephone calls, or file storage. Ask for a complete fee breakdown.
- Have you handled transactions for this type of property before? New builds, apartments, commercial property, and rural property with complex title each have specific legal requirements. Experience matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional fees for purchasing a property are €1,500 to €3,000. Selling costs €1,200 to €2,500. Combined sale and purchase: €2,500 to €5,000. These fees exclude outlays: stamp duty (1% of purchase price up to €1m, 2% above), Land Registry fees (€600 to €800), and search fees (€200 to €400). Always ask for a breakdown separating professional fees from outlays.
Typically 6 to 12 weeks from sale agreed to closing, depending on the complexity of the title, mortgage approval timelines, and the responsiveness of both solicitors. New builds can be faster (4 to 6 weeks) if the title is straightforward. Complex cases (shared boundaries, rights of way, planning issues) can take longer. The biggest cause of delay is slow communication between the two solicitors' offices.
They investigate the title to ensure the seller legally owns the property and can sell it. They review contracts for unfair terms. They carry out searches (planning, bankruptcy, judgments) to identify risks. They handle the exchange of contracts and transfer of funds. They pay stamp duty and register the property in your name. They are your legal protection in what is likely the largest financial transaction of your life.
Any solicitor with a practising certificate can technically do conveyancing. However, specialist conveyancing firms or solicitors with a strong conveyancing practice are more efficient, more familiar with common issues, and often offer better value than a general practice solicitor who does occasional property work. Speed and experience matter in a time-sensitive transaction.
Beyond the purchase price, budget for: stamp duty (1% up to €1m), legal fees (€1,500 to €3,000 plus outlays), valuation fee (€150 to €300), surveyor's fee (€400 to €600), mortgage protection insurance, home insurance, and moving costs. First-time buyers should also factor in the costs of any immediate repairs or upgrades needed. Total additional costs typically run to 3-5% of the purchase price.
Yes. The seller's solicitor prepares the contracts, responds to the buyer's solicitor's requisitions on title, handles the completion process, and ensures the proceeds are distributed correctly (paying off any existing mortgage, agent's fees, and transferring the balance to you). Without a solicitor, you cannot legally complete a property sale in Ireland.
Stamp duty is a tax on property purchases paid to Revenue. For residential property, the rate is 1% of the purchase price up to €1,000,000 and 2% on the amount above €1,000,000. For example, a €350,000 house incurs stamp duty of €3,500. Your solicitor calculates, collects, and pays stamp duty to Revenue as part of the closing process.
Technically, there is no legal requirement to use a solicitor, and you can do your own conveyancing. In practice, this is extremely inadvisable. Property law is complex, mortgage lenders require a solicitor to act on their behalf, and mistakes in title investigation or contract review can be catastrophic. The cost of a solicitor (€1,500 to €3,000) is modest relative to the value of the property and the risks of getting it wrong.
Conveyancing Solicitor Quotes by County
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