Purplebricks claim to be a refreshing alternative to the traditional high street agent. They tout low prices and positive reviews. Yet their services remain divisive. Although the company have an ‘Excellent’ 4.5 star review on Trustpilot, rival review site **AllAgents rates the company at just 1.3 stars.** Many of the poor reviews focus on a lack of communication, low motivation, and delays. 

**A significant number complain about the conveyancing services you have to use if you choose the ‘Pay Later’ option.** We decided to take a closer look at the online agent’s legal services partner to see whether the poor reviews were justified.

## Who does Purplebricks use for conveyancing?

Purplebricks use __Premier Property Lawyers__ for conveyancing. The company **trade under 62 different names** so they may be called something else when you receive your conveyancing quote. Their trading names include: 

- eZie Conveyancing 
- Homemover Direct
- My Home Move Conveyancing

Among several other firms, Premier Property Lawyers are __owned by the conveyancing group - Simplify__.

If you choose to use the conveyancers Purplebricks recommend, these are the conveyancing companies you are most likely to deal with.

In the past, Purplebricks used Advanced Conveyancing. It’s unknown when they stopped enlisting their services.

### Premier Property Lawyers

Premier Property Lawyers are proud of their status as the *largest* conveyancer in the UK. In the past few years they claim to have completed more cases than any other UK conveyancer. They credit this to their ability to combine ‘an innovative use of technology with personal service.’

Currently they employ 38 Licenced Conveyancers, 70 Solicitors, and 13 Legal Executives, with a combined experience level of over one thousand years. Along with this expertise, Premier Property Lawyers offers an **‘enhanced online case management service’** called eWay. This service allows you to track the status of your sale, and stay up to date with everything you need to do and what documents you need

#### Premier Property Lawyers reviews

As of 24th January 2022, Premier Property Lawyers have 3,473 Google Reviews with an __average rating of 3.5/5__. Some of the poorest reviews (ranging from 2-1 stars) cite the November 2021 online breach as having huge ramifications on their property sale, while others refer to a general lack of communication and information. Interestingly, most of their Google reviews are either 1 or 5 stars with little in-between.

A number of other estate agents recommend their services, including:

- Hunters 
- Andrew Grant 
- Fine & Country 
- Homesimple

and receive commission for their recommendations. The amount they get varies, but according to their website, **it averages £252.82 per referral.** 

### My Home Move

My Home Move is a trading name under Premier Property Lawyers. Whereas Premier Property Lawyers works with Purplebricks, My Home Move Conveyancing works ‘directly with the public’. 

Besides a PR campaign where the company sought a ‘mansion tester’ to live in a Grade II listed building back in September 2021, My Home Home hasn’t received the same publicity as its in-house law firm Premier Property Lawyers. The last time My Home Move made the news was back in 2017, when it acquired the award-winning conveyancing firm, Advantage Property Lawyers. 

#### Who owns My Home Move?

Simplify Group is the conglomerate owner of My Home Move and Premier Property Lawyers.

#### My Home Move reviews 	

While essentially the same company, My Home Move has a much lower rating on Google Reviews than Premier Property Lawyers, with a score of just __2.8/5__. The last time they received a five star review was over a year ago. On the other hand, My Home Move's Trustpilot reviews are glowing, with more than 6,000 reviews, and an average score of __4.3/5__.

### Simplify conveyancing

Simplify is the UK’s largest conveyancing and property services group. They were formed in 2019 when The Simplify Group and My Home Move merged together. Their list of conveyancing firms include:

- Premier Property Lawyers
- My Home Move
- Advantage Property Lawyers
- DC Law
- JS Law
- Cook Taylor Woodhouse
- GB Law

Purplebricks recommend the services of Premier Property Lawyers, making them an affiliate of Simplify Group. This relationship left many Purplebricks customers in limbo late last year, when Simplify experienced a data breach.

#### Simplify 2021 data breach

On the 7th November 2021, Simplify Group experienced a major security breach. Multiple conveyancing firms owned by (and using the same systems as) Simplify Group were affected. This included Premier Property Lawyers, Advantage Property Lawyers, and JS Law.

The holding message on the Simplify website read:

“We are aware and are working to resolve an ongoing systems outage. This involves multiple systems across our business including eWay and ieWay.
We are working non-stop to restore systems and we recognise this could be a difficult time for clients. Our priority is to help customers exchange/complete on time. If you are a customer affected by this outage please click here, this will help us prioritise contact. We are doing all we can. Thank you for your patience.

We regret we are not operating as normal. Further updates to follow.”

The breach left thousands of Purplebricks’s users unable to complete or proceed with their transactions. While Simplify restored their systems on the 15th November, many homesellers were unable to get their sales back on track for many weeks more.

### eWay

If you’ve sold with Purplebricks conveyancers (Premier Property Lawyers) or have used any of Simplify’s other conveyancing firms, you’ll have used __eWay__. eWay is an online case management software which allows customers to track their property transactions through their phones or desktops. Important documentation can be signed over the phone, while conveyancer’s contact details can be accessed at the drop of a hat. eWay was one of the platforms affected by the Simplify data breach.

## Are Purplebricks conveyancers registered with the Law Society? 

__Yes__. According to the Law Society, Premier Property Lawyers are not regulated by the Solicitor Regulation Authority. But, they *are* regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. 

## How much do Purplebricks charge for conveyancing?

Purplebricks __don’t charge for conveyancing directly__ but you may be charged an __admin fee of around £360__. They refer you to their preferred legal services provider and collect commission. The amount quoted by Premier Property Lawyers will depend on the type and location of the property you are selling. They’ll also take into account whether you’re buying as well as selling. 

You are not obligated to use their conveyancing service if you choose to pay the Purplebricks fee upfront. However, if you choose their ‘Pay Later’ option, you’ll need to use Purplebricks' conveyancer.

> ‘If at any time you have agreed to take advantage of the Conveyancing Services and thereafter withdraw, fail or refuse to use the Conveyancing Services you will be required to pay Administration Charges once you agree a sale of your property.’

According to Property Industry Eye, **Purplebricks receives a commission payment of £382.85+VAT from every individual** they pass on to Premier Property Lawyers. You can expect this amount to be added onto any quote offered. 

If you decide you don’t want to work with Purplebricks’ preferred conveyancer, you’ll have to pay an ‘administrative fee’. It’s unclear on their website exactly what this amount will be. Various sources suggest it __is around £360__ - essentially the same amount as the referral fee. If you’ve chosen deferred payment, and then sell your property with a different Estate Agent, you are still bound by this agreement to use their conveyancers or pay the fee.

## Purplebricks conveyancing reviews

As of 25th of January 2021, Purplebricks has a __rating of 4.5/5__ on Trustpilot and you can read our own [review of Purplebricks here](https://www.getagent.co.uk/blog/online-agents/purplebricks-review). Most reviews are positive but some of the negative reviews highlight problems specific to their conveyancers, Premier Property Lawyers.

![Purplebricks conveyancing Review 1](//images.ctfassets.net/us6n8ous4bz0/4hLGHiGemrWcVM2iOsaz8y/9013906f906cbf909c2b638bfbaf51d3/purplebricks-review-1.png)

![Purplebricks conveyancing review 2](//images.ctfassets.net/us6n8ous4bz0/5z4q9TpCD2slKxDkeukzSb/b06bacc9b40f1e7f74a2e8f02c67405b/purplebricks-review-2.png)

Poor reviews of Premier Property Lawyers tend to focus on **poor communication and delays.** It seems common to wait several months to complete a sale. Sellers often report having to repeatedly call in order to move things forward. Although Premier Property Lawyers claim you will have a personal case handler, many complainants note difficulty in contacting their appointed representative. 

Even fairly positive reviews of Purplebricks suggest there are problems with Premier Property Lawyers. One (pictured below) describes how they (PPL) had ‘spoilt the whole process’ by making a very straightforward sale last over six months.

![Purplebricks conveyancing review 4](//images.ctfassets.net/us6n8ous4bz0/1kPhFDWM5wVWvkBqd5sYPj/54fc55b28ed3607c24c13cc12d6437d0/purplebricks-review-4.png)

On the other hand, most positive reviews of Purplebricks describe using their conveyancing services without any complaints. However, in these reviews much of the focus is on the estate agents rather than PPL.

![Purplebricks conveyancing review 3](//images.ctfassets.net/us6n8ous4bz0/xhzxkedzt4zSuNtRHxuQ1/a10d9bd1f534f8b7b8e91b0475747ff3/purplebricks-review-3.png)

## Should I use Purplebricks conveyancing?

You shouldn't use Purplebricks conveyancing if you are looking for a speedy completion. Premier Property Lawyers are probably not the best option for you based on the reviews and feedback from people who have used them in the past that we mentioned above. 

The need to pay an ‘administrative fee’ could be a contributing factor in deciding to work with Premier Property Lawyers regardless. Especially if you don’t know which conveyancing firms are the best for you. 

However, GetAgent’s research found that Purplebricks [completed on just 57% of its listings*.](https://www.getagent.co.uk/blog/estate-agents/online-estate-agents-vs-high-street) We found that many customers eventually chose to appoint a traditional high street estate agent to sell their property. Not only do home sellers in this position have to pay both [Purplebricks’ fee](https://www.getagent.co.uk/blog/online-agents/purplebricks-money-back-guarantee-review) and their new estate agents commission, but if they chose the Pay Later option, they are also tied into using Premier Property Lawyers, **even if they sell with the new agent.**

> ‘It is a condition of Pay Later that you agree to instruct the Conveyancing Services to act on your behalf once a sale is agreed with a purchaser and you hereby agree that you will irrevocably instruct the Conveyancing Services to make payment in full of the Product Service Fee to Purplebricks or any third party entitled to collect payment of the Product Service Fee’

The best option, if you’ve decided to instruct Purplebricks, is to pay their fee upfront. This will allow you to compare their conveyancing services and fees with other local lawyers and give you an opportunity to pick a lawyer best suited to your needs, saving you time and money in the long run. 

[For more advice on how to find a trustworthy conveyancer, check out our tips here.](https://www.getagent.co.uk/blog/how-to-find-trustworthy-solicitor)

__See how long conveyancing should take in the current market__

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a purple bricks for sale sign outside an unsold house 

purplebricks-conveyancing.jpg

Should you use Purplebricks conveyancing? Purplebricks will recommend conveyancers for you to use and are a requirement on some packages but are they any good. We review the options

Purplebricks conveyancing review: Are they any good?

Are Purplebricks conveyancing any good?

Selling your home to buy a small cottage by the sea may seem like a dream, but with the costs of moving house rising, it's possible that the little cottage may stay a dream for longer than you would like.

Moving home has a variety of costs attached and these can really add up. So what are the real costs of moving house when you’re buying or selling? Find out more in this guide.

Moving home can be expensive! From estate agent fees, EPC costs, additional deposit for the new property, survey costs, stamp duty, legal fees, removal costs, gas safety checks, domestic disconnections (and reconnections!) and even a change of locks – All of these aspects **do not come cheaply!**

## Average cost to move house

The average cost of moving house largely depends on several factors. Based on the average house price in the UK (£270,027 in 2021) and [our research](https://www.getagent.co.uk/blog/buying/the-cost-of-buying-a-house), you could expect to pay the following amount to move home:

* First time buyers: __£23,602.025__
* Second home buyers: __£26,814.25__

This price includes essential costs such as:

- A deposit for the home (around £20,000)
- Your conveyancing fees
- Mortgage valuation
- Removal costs 
- Stamp Duty. 

Specific costs also largely depend on the distance you are moving, the size of the home, its location (for example, London moves are generally more expensive), and if this is your first property purchase or second. 

When it comes to other additional costs, you’ll need to consider those associated with using financial advisors, ordering additional property surveys, or storage fees. These could potentially another £2,000 to your total bill, if not more.

## Typical moving costs

These are the costs you'll usually end up paying whether you're buying or selling:

### Legal fees

Legal fees are incurred when you're buying and selling property. You can calculate legal costs by looking at 0.5% of the property price you are purchasing. Depending on the solicitors who carry this out, [you can expect to pay £500-£2000 for conveyancing](https://www.getagent.co.uk/blog/conveyancing/conveyancing-fees). Prices will differ depending on the location, the type of property (freehold/leasehold), and the scope of the work. For instance, if you are looking for conveyancing for a new build property outside of London, you will be looking at lower fees than for a [leasehold property](https://www.getagent.co.uk/blog/is-it-hard-to-sell-leasehold) in London with the need for a lease extension.

Remember to obtain a full quote upfront from your solicitor, with details on searches and any extra work that needs to be carried out (like a lease extension). Request that they state the total cost, and notify them if any involuntary extensions are applied for. This will protect you against unexpected legal fees if further work needs to be completed.

### Removal costs

Removal costs vary. **They depend on where you live, the property you live in, how many bedrooms you have, and if you really want to take that grand piano with you!** It also depends on how far away you’re moving from your original address. Be sure to *get a fixed quote* which includes insurance of your items.

Costs for the actual move can vary hugely. If you’re not moving far, you may choose to hire a van for __under £100 per day__ and do it yourself. 

- If you’re travelling long-distance and would like all your belongings packed up for you, then __you can expect to pay around £2,000 - £4,000, depending on the size of your house__. 

-  If you are happy to box up your belongings yourself and are moving relatively nearby (under 30 miles), then you could be looking at __£350–£500__, again depending on how much furniture you have, and how many boxes you’re taking.

### The little extras

After you move into your new home, you can expect some little extra costs to crop up. These could be anything from fixing broken pipes to replacing light bulbs and lamps. You *might* need to pay to disconnect Wi-Fi or phone lines and reconnect them at your new property (always book these in advance — the last thing you need is to wait weeks for an engineer).

A good way to calculate how much you’ll need to save for moving is, __add 0.5% of the property price for legal fees__ to your projected Stamp Duty,  __and add 0.5% of the property price__ for the extras we mentioned above.

## Additional costs to pay to move house when you're buying

If you're moving house and buying then you'll need to pay these additional costs:

### Stamp Duty

[You must pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)](https://www.getagent.co.uk/blog/buying/stamp-duty) if you buy a property or land over a certain price in England and Northern Ireland.

The tax is different if the property is in [Scotland](http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/scottishapproach) or [Wales](https://beta.gov.wales/land-transaction-tax-guide), and you can find the relevant information linked.

You’ll pay Stamp Duty when you:

* Buy a freehold property
* Buy a new or existing leasehold
* Buy a property through a [shared ownership scheme](https://www.gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax/shared-ownership-property)
* Are [transferred land or property](https://www.gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax/land-and-property-transfers) in exchange for payment; for example, you take on a mortgage or buy a share in a house

Stamp Duty can be one of the highest costs when moving home, as it must be a separate cash amount from your deposit. Based on the price of the house, you’ll owe a percentage in Stamp Duty, and you must base what you offer on how much you have available to spend on this tax. 

If you are a first-time buyer, or the property is under £125,000, you won’t pay Stamp Duty. The thresholds for the tax change depend on the price of the property you’re buying, and you can use [HMRC’s calculator](https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/#/intro) to work out how much you’ll owe.

As a result of Stamp Duty *changing in 2014*, you **can now benefit from reduced Stamp Duty** costs by the percentage owed being divided up by groups.

The Gov.uk website breaks this down nicely:

Although this saves a sizeable cost from the days of yore, it is likely that **Stamp Duty will still be your biggest cost when moving home.** Take time to identify *how much you can offer based on how much you have to spend on Stamp Duty*. It's easy to get carried away when putting an offer in on a house, and although it doesn’t matter as much now if you slip into the next bracket, it will still up your costs!

### House Survey costs

Surveys are made to value the property, and they must be provided to obtain a mortgage. Usually, the mortgage provider will appoint someone to carry them out, and [they can cost from £250 upwards](https://www.getagent.co.uk/blog/properties/house-survey-costs-types). Even if you are a cash buyer, you may still want a survey done to ensure that there are no issues with the property and that you haven’t paid too much more than the house is worth. 

Additionally to a mortgage survey, you may want to get your **own report** which can be **up to £2000**. [There are three options here](https://www.getagent.co.uk/blog/properties/house-survey-types-which-do-you-need):

- **Condition Report** – For new properties
- **Homebuyers Survey** – For surface level issues
- **Structural Survey** – Comprehensive survey which details structural issues and damp problems. OIf there are problems with the property, a structural survey will recoup its own cost in the depreciation of the sale price.

## Additional costs to pay to move house when you're selling

If you're moving house and selling your own property, then you'll need to pay these additional costs:

### Estate agent fees

You usually won’t incur estate agent fees when buying, but if you contract with an estate agent to sell your home, there will be a charge for their services. Unlike when you purchased your first home – you now have an additional cost: [Estate Agent fees](https://www.getagent.co.uk/estate-agent-fees). The average agency fee is 1.3% of the sale value for the UK, but fees can range up to 3.5%. These fees do not include VAT so ensure you add this on.  [Comparing fees and performance](https://www.getagent.co.uk/i/compare-agents/) early on will allow you to *save money upfront while getting the best performing agent.*

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On top of this, you'll need to pay for an [**EPC certificate**](https://www.getagent.co.uk/epc) which is usually an additional £50.00. You will also need to pay **conveyancing costs** when you finally sell your property.

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## Moving costs summary

| Item                           | Average moving cost |
| ------------------------------ | ------------ |
| Stamp duty                     | Varies       |
| House survey costs             | £250-£2000   |
| Estate agent fees (for seller) | 1.3%         |
| EPC (Selling)                  | £50          |
| Legal Fees                     | £300-£600    |
| Removal costs                  | £100-£4000   |
| Odd Jobs                       | 0.5%         |


cost-moving-home.jpg

Moving home can be expensive. From estate agent fees, EPC costs, additional deposits, survey costs, stamp duty, legal fees, removal costs, gas safety checks etc, we look at the costs of moving house.

Costs of moving house | GetAgent

Selling your home to buy a small cottage by the sea may seem like a dream, but with the costs of moving rising, it is no surprise that the little cottage may just stay a dream for a lot longer than you’d have liked.

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