When your offer is accepted, excitement builds quickly – but so can impatience. Many buyers and sellers ask the same question: how long does conveyancing actually take?
The Average Timeline
On average, conveyancing in the UK takes 8 to 12 weeks, though some transactions complete faster. The timeline depends on factors such as property type, chain length, mortgage approval, and how quickly information is exchanged.
The Typical Stages:
- Instructing a Conveyancer (Week 1–2)
Appointing a conveyancer early helps to avoid delays. - Searches and Enquiries (Week 3–6)
Local authority, environmental, and drainage searches take time to process. - Mortgage Offer and Review (Week 5–8)
Lenders need time to issue a formal offer. - Exchange and Completion (Week 8–12)
Once both sides agree, contracts are exchanged, and a completion date is set.
Factors That Can Cause Delays:
- Waiting for mortgage approvals
- Slow responses to solicitor enquiries
- Long property chains
- Missing documentation
How to Speed Things Up:
- Provide ID and paperwork promptly
- Choose a conveyancer with good communication
- Keep in touch with your estate agent for updates
In Summary
While conveyancing can take a few months, good communication between your conveyancer, agent, and lender makes the process smoother. Patience and preparation are key to reaching completion day as efficiently as possible.