Scotland -- Property Law
Conveyancing Solicitors in Edinburgh: £700 to £1,700
Updated July 2026. Typical conveyancing solicitor fees in Edinburgh for buying and selling a home in 2026, with worked cost examples by property price, the disbursements you pay on top, and how to find a regulated local conveyancer.
A conveyancing solicitor in Edinburgh handles the legal transfer of a property: checking the title, running searches, raising and answering enquiries, exchanging contracts, and registering the sale with the Land Registry. Your bill has two parts: the solicitor's legal fee (plus 20 per cent VAT) and disbursements (third-party costs the solicitor pays on your behalf and recharges). Buyers also pay Stamp Duty Land Tax separately.
Worked cost examples in Edinburgh
The legal fee rises with the property price and complexity. These worked totals use Edinburgh rates for a standard freehold purchase, including VAT, searches, and the Land Registry fee. Leasehold, new-build, and shared-ownership purchases add supplements.
| Purchase price | Legal fee (inc VAT) | Searches | Land Registry | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £200,000 | £888 | £300 | £100 | £1,348 |
| £400,000 | £1,308 | £300 | £150 | £1,818 |
| £750,000 | £2,040 | £300 | £295 | £2,695 |
Totals exclude Stamp Duty Land Tax, which buyers pay separately to HMRC. Selling costs less as there are fewer searches and no SDLT.
Disbursements you pay on top in Edinburgh
| Disbursement | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local authority searches | £200-£350 | Set by the local council, not the solicitor |
| Land Registry fee | £20-£500 | Tiered by property value |
| Environmental + drainage searches | £90-£160 | Flood, contamination, water and sewerage |
| Bankruptcy + ID checks | £10-£25 | Anti-money-laundering and insolvency |
| Telegraphic transfer fee | £30-£50 | Sending completion funds |
| Leasehold supplement | £150-£300 | Leasehold flats only |
Scottish conveyancing differs structurally from English: the solicitor handles both buying and (typically) the missives negotiation, and the Law Society of Scotland regulates fees and conduct separately from the SRA. Edinburgh hosts the largest Scottish commercial firms (Brodies, Burness Paull, Shepherd and Wedderburn).
Edinburgh solicitor vs online conveyancer
For a straightforward chain-free freehold purchase, a national online conveyancer regulated by the SRA or CLC is often 30 to 40 per cent cheaper than a Edinburgh high street firm. Where a local Edinburgh solicitor earns their higher fee is on complex or time-critical work: leasehold flats with short leases, new-builds with developer deadlines, fragile chains, or any local title quirk where a name you can phone beats an online portal. Compare the full quoted total for your specific transaction, not the advertised starting price. See our online vs high street comparison for the full trade-offs.
Use the Law Society of Scotland Find a Solicitor, the official public register of regulated solicitors, to find property lawyers in Edinburgh. Filter by property law and location, get three written quotes, and ask each firm for a fixed fee that lists every disbursement and supplement.
Law Society of Scotland Find a Solicitor ->FAQ
How much does a conveyancing solicitor cost in Edinburgh?
Typically £700 to £1,700 plus VAT for a purchase, and £570 to £1,330 plus VAT for a sale, plus disbursements: searches (£200 to £350), Land Registry (£20 to £500), and ID and bankruptcy checks (around £20). Buyers pay Stamp Duty Land Tax separately.
Can I use an online conveyancer instead of a Edinburgh solicitor?
Yes. For a standard chain-free freehold purchase an SRA or CLC regulated online conveyancer is usually 30 to 40 per cent cheaper. For leasehold, new-build, or a complication, a local Edinburgh solicitor you can phone is often worth the extra. Get three quotes and compare the full total.
How long does conveyancing take in Edinburgh?
Around 8 to 12 weeks with no chain, or 12 to 16 weeks in a chain, the same as the rest of England and Wales. The pace is set by searches, the other side's responsiveness, and the chain, not by the city. See our conveyancing timeline.
How do I find a conveyancing solicitor in Edinburgh?
Use the Law Society of Scotland Find a Solicitor at https://www.lawscot.org.uk/find-a-solicitor/. Filter by property law and location, get three written quotes, and confirm each is a fixed fee listing every disbursement.