How Long Does Conveyancing Take? Timeline Explained
One of the most frequently asked questions from property buyers and sellers is how long the conveyancing process will take from offer acceptance to receiving keys or sale proceeds. The frustrating but honest answer is that timelines vary considerably depending on property type, transaction complexity, chain involvement, and how efficiently all parties respond to requirements. However, understanding typical timeframes for each conveyancing stage, factors that cause delays, and how working with an expert conveyancing service accelerates progress helps set realistic expectations whilst identifying opportunities to speed your transaction toward successful completion.
The average conveyancing timeline in the UK extends to approximately ten to twelve weeks from offer acceptance to completion, though this represents a middle ground with significant variation either side. Straightforward transactions involving chain-free cash buyers purchasing freehold properties with clear titles can complete in as little as four to six weeks when all parties prioritise speed. Conversely, complex transactions involving leasehold properties with management issues, properties requiring extensive searches, transactions in lengthy chains, or situations where buyers struggle with mortgage applications can extend to sixteen weeks or longer before completion is achieved.
Weeks One to Two: Instructing Conveyancers and Initial Steps
The conveyancing timeline begins when both buyer and seller instruct their respective residential conveyancers following offer acceptance. Ideally, buyers should have conveyancers lined up before making offers, enabling immediate commencement once offers are accepted rather than losing a week or more interviewing solicitors and providing initial information. During these first two weeks, conveyancers conduct identity checks, verify funding sources for anti-money laundering compliance, and request initial documentation from clients.
The seller’s conveyancer prepares the draft contract pack including title documents, property information forms, leasehold information if applicable, and supporting documents like planning permissions or building regulation certificates. This package is sent to the buyer’s conveyancer, who begins their initial review identifying any obvious concerns requiring early attention. Buyers applying for mortgages should have applications submitted during this period, as mortgage processing runs parallel to legal work and often represents the critical path determining overall timelines.
Weeks Three to Five: Searches and Enquiries
Once the buyer’s residential conveyancer receives the draft contract, they order comprehensive property searches from local authorities and specialist providers. Local authority searches reveal planning applications, building control issues, highways matters, and environmental concerns, typically taking two to three weeks to return though delays are common in busy areas or when councils face resource constraints. Additional searches for coal mining, environmental contamination, water and drainage, and chancel repair liability add layers of investigation ensuring buyers understand all risks.
Simultaneously, the buyer’s conveyancer reviews contract documents and raises enquiries with the seller’s solicitor seeking clarification about boundaries, alterations, disputes, guarantees, and numerous other details. The quality and speed of responses to these enquiries significantly impacts overall timelines, with prompt, comprehensive answers accelerating progress whilst vague or delayed responses create frustration and further questions. During this period, mortgage valuations occur and lenders process applications, with mortgage offers typically issued four to six weeks after application if documentation is complete and valuations are satisfactory.
Weeks Six to Eight: Resolving Issues and Finalising Terms
As search results arrive and enquiry responses are received, conveyancers identify issues requiring resolution before proceeding to exchange. Common complications include planning breaches requiring retrospective permission or indemnity insurance, lease issues for leasehold properties, boundary disputes, or concerns raised by mortgage lenders based on valuation reports. Resolving these issues takes time, with some requiring negotiations between parties, obtaining additional documentation, or arranging insurance policies.
An expert conveyancing service adds significant value during this phase, using experience to quickly identify practical solutions rather than allowing issues to stall transactions indefinitely. They negotiate effectively on their client’s behalf, know when to push for resolution versus when flexibility serves their client’s interests, and maintain momentum through what can be the most challenging phase. Once all issues are resolved to both parties’ satisfaction and mortgage offers are formally issued, conveyancers prepare for exchange of contracts.
Weeks Nine to Ten: Exchange of Contracts
Before exchange, conveyancers obtain final searches confirming no last-minute issues have emerged, ensure all conditions are satisfied, and verify that buyers have transferred deposit funds. The buyer’s conveyancer explains final contract terms, confirms all details are correct, and ensures their client understands the commitment. Exchange occurs when both solicitors hold signed identical contracts and formally exchange them via telephone, making the transaction legally binding with completion dates fixed.
The period between exchange and completion is negotiable but typically ranges from one to two weeks, allowing buyers to arrange removals, buildings insurance, and utility transfers whilst sellers organise their moves. Some transactions complete on the same day as exchange when all parties are ready and no chain complications exist, though this remains relatively unusual due to coordination challenges and financial arrangements requiring several days’ notice.
Weeks Eleven to Twelve: Completion and Post-Completion
Completion day arrives when the buyer’s conveyancer transfers mortgage funds and remaining purchase balance to the seller’s solicitor. Once funds are received and confirmed, typically by early afternoon, keys are released through estate agents and buyers take possession. The seller’s conveyancer pays off any outstanding mortgages, deducts their fees and expenses, and transfers remaining proceeds to their client.
Post-completion work includes the buyer’s conveyancer registering ownership with the Land Registry, paying stamp duty to HMRC, and sending final accounts showing how funds were distributed. This administrative work takes several weeks but doesn’t impact possession, as buyers already have their keys and sellers have received their money.
Factors That Accelerate or Delay Timelines
Working with an expert conveyancing service, preparing documentation in advance, responding promptly to enquiries, avoiding chains when possible, and maintaining realistic expectations about timescales all contribute to faster completions, whilst complex property types, lengthy chains, mortgage complications, and unresponsive parties inevitably extend timelines beyond average ranges, making flexibility and patience essential virtues throughout the conveyancing journey.