A step-by-step guide to the conveyancing timeline from instruction to completion. This guide explains the practical conveyancing steps in England and Wales, what your solicitor is likely to check, and how you can prepare without relying on guesswork.
What the complete conveyancing timeline means in conveyancing
The conveyancing timeline is the sequence of checks and decisions between instruction and completion. In conveyancing, the important point is usually not one isolated document or date. It is how that issue affects title, lender requirements, searches, enquiries, exchange of contracts and completion.
Your conveyancer checks the legal position, explains the practical consequences and helps you understand your options before you become legally committed.
How it usually fits into the transaction
Most residential transactions start with file opening, identity checks and initial information from the buyer, seller and estate agent. The seller's solicitor prepares the contract pack. The buyer's solicitor checks the title, searches, mortgage offer and replies to enquiries. The Complete Conveyancing Timeline can become relevant at one or more of those stages.
Before exchange, your solicitor should report to you on the key documents and any material risks. Unclear replies, missing certificates, unresolved lender conditions or property concerns should normally be dealt with before exchange.
Practical steps for clients
Clients can often reduce delay by providing complete information early. Buyers should keep mortgage advisers, solicitors and estate agents updated. Sellers should gather certificates, guarantees, planning documents, leasehold paperwork and mortgage details before they are requested.
Use the tools in this hub as planning aids. They do not replace legal advice, but they can help you understand likely stages, budget where relevant, track progress and keep property records organised.
Common delays and risks
Delays often happen when a third party has to provide information. Local authorities, management companies, lenders, freeholders, surveyors and other parties in a chain can all affect timing.
Separate inconvenience from risk. A slow document may be frustrating but manageable. A missing permission, unacceptable search result or unresolved title defect may need advice before you decide whether to proceed.
What to do next
If the complete conveyancing timeline is relevant to your transaction, ask what evidence is needed, whether the issue affects your lender, whether insurance or further documents may help, and whether the matter must be resolved before exchange.
This guide is general information for England and Wales. Your own property, lender, lease, title and chain may change the advice you need.
Client checklist
- Instruct a solicitor early.
- Complete ID and source of funds checks.
- Return client care paperwork promptly.
- Track searches, mortgage offer and enquiries.
- Wait for your report before exchange.
Watch out for
- Assuming every transaction follows the same timetable.
- Agreeing dates before searches and enquiries are ready.
- Missing lender conditions.
- Late source of funds information.
- Chain pressure before the file is ready.
FAQs
What is the first step in conveyancing?
Usually file opening, identity checks, client care paperwork and gathering the basic details of the transaction.
When are searches ordered?
Searches are usually ordered early in a purchase once funds on account are received.