Our Fee Structure Explained
Fixed fee conveyancing means our professional charges stay the same regardless of how complex your purchase becomes. Whether your settlement takes four weeks or four months, whether we review one contract or five before you find the right property, our fee remains $1,320.
This differs from percentage-based pricing where your costs increase with the property value. A $600,000 purchase shouldn't cost more in legal fees than a $400,000 one. The work involved is essentially the same.
What Are Disbursements?
Disbursements are third-party costs we pay on your behalf during the conveyancing process. These include title searches from land registries, council and water authority certificates, and PEXA settlement fees. We pass these through at cost with no markup.
Typical disbursements for a standard purchase range from $300 to $700 depending on your state and the searches required. We provide an itemised estimate before you engage us, and a final breakdown at settlement.
Why Some Conveyancers Advertise Lower Fees
You'll find conveyancers advertising fees from $500 or even less. Read the fine print carefully. Many charge separately for contract review, title searches, settlement attendance, and document preparation. Others add percentage markups to disbursements or charge hourly rates for anything outside a narrow scope of work.
Our fixed price property settlement includes everything a first home buyer needs. Contract review, vendor disclosure analysis, all searches, bank coordination, electronic settlement via PEXA, and registration of your new title. The only additional costs are the actual disbursements, charged at cost.
Solicitor vs Conveyancer: Why It Matters for Your Costs
Licensed conveyancers can handle straightforward property transfers. But when issues arise, such as unusual easements, restrictive covenants, or problematic sunset clauses in off-the-plan contracts, they cannot provide legal advice. You'll need to engage a solicitor separately, paying twice for the same matter.
As part of Sutton Laurence King Lawyers, a full-service commercial law firm, we handle complex issues internally. If your purchase involves boundary disputes, planning overlays, or contractual complications, we address them within your fixed fee. No referrals. No additional charges for legal advice.
The True Cost of Cheap Conveyancing
Poor communication and missed deadlines cost far more than the difference between a budget conveyancer and a quality one. Settlement delays can trigger penalty interest. Missed cooling-off periods eliminate your right to withdraw. Overlooked special conditions might lock you into unfavourable terms.
First home buyers tell us their biggest concern isn't the conveyancing fee itself. It's the fear of missing something important in the contract. Our fixed fee includes thorough review and clear explanations. We flag issues before they become expensive problems.
