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Is Fixed Fee Remortgage Conveyancing Worth It in 2026?
Table of Contents
- What Is Fixed Fee Remortgage Conveyancing?
- How Fixed Fee Conveyancing Compares to Hourly Billing
- What Are Disbursements in Conveyancing?
- Hidden Costs in Remortgage Quotes to Watch For
- How Long Does Remortgaging Take?
- Pros and Cons of Fixed Fee Remortgage Conveyancing
- Who Benefits Most from Fixed Fee Remortgage Conveyancing?
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 10, 2026
What Is Fixed Fee Remortgage Conveyancing?
Fixed fee remortgage conveyancing is a pricing arrangement where a solicitor or licensed conveyancer charges one agreed sum for the legal work on your remortgage, regardless of how many hours the file takes. At UKC Legal, we work on this basis for homeowners across the UK.
The alternative is hourly billing, where every call, email and Land Registry submission adds to the bill. Fixed fee remortgage arrangements remove that uncertainty, so you know the legal cost before the file opens.
Most lenders require a solicitor to handle the legal side of a remortgage, even when no property is changing hands. The Law Society's guidance on choosing a conveyancer sets out what that legal work involves.
How Fixed Fee Conveyancing Compares to Hourly Billing
The clearest difference between the two models is who carries the risk of the file running long. With hourly billing, that risk sits with you. With a fixed fee, it sits with the firm.
| Model | Cost Certainty | Risk of Overrun | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed fee | High, agreed upfront | Carried by the firm | Standard remortgages |
| Hourly billing | Low, open-ended | Carried by the client | Unusual or contested titles |
| No-sale-no-fee | Conditional | Varies by firm | Property purchases |
Hourly billing is not automatically worse. If your title has a defect, an unregistered charge or a lease with unusual terms, time-based billing can be fairer because the work genuinely varies. The problem is that most homeowners cannot predict which category they fall into before instructing someone.
A common mistake is assuming a fixed fee means unlimited scope. It does not. It means the price is capped for the work described in the quote.
What Are Disbursements in Conveyancing?
Disbursements in conveyancing are third-party costs the firm pays on your behalf, such as Land Registry fees, bank transfer charges and search fees. They sit outside the legal fee itself.
On a remortgage, typical disbursements include:
- Land Registry registration fees
- Anti-money laundering identity checks
- Bankruptcy and land charges searches
- Telegraphic transfer fees for releasing funds
Some quotes bundle these into one headline figure. Others list them separately, which is more transparent but can look more expensive at first glance. Ask which approach applies to any quote you receive.
The Land Registry's fee schedule confirms current registration charges, since these change and should never be estimated.
Hidden Costs in Remortgage Quotes to Watch For
Hidden costs in remortgage quotes usually hide in three places: scope exclusions, disbursement markups and leasehold supplements.
Watch for these specifically:
- Leasehold supplements. Freehold and leasehold files carry different workloads. If your property is leasehold, confirm the quoted fee covers it.
- Acting for the lender. Some firms charge separately for this. Others include it.
- Expedited completion. If your mortgage offer is time-limited, a rush fee may apply.
- Additional title issues. Defects found during the legal review can trigger extra charges unless the quote says otherwise.
Before instructing anyone, ask for written confirmation of what the fee excludes. A firm that will not put that in writing is telling you something.
How Long Does Remortgaging Take?
A straightforward remortgage typically completes in four to six weeks, though leasehold properties and lender-specific requirements can extend that. The legal work is rarely the bottleneck.
The timeline usually breaks down like this:
- Week 1: Instruction, ID checks and file opening
- Weeks 2-3: Title review, searches and lender enquiries
- Weeks 3-4: Report to lender and redemption statement from your existing provider
- Weeks 4-6: Completion, funds transfer and registration
Delays usually come from outside the solicitor's control: slow redemption statements, lender underwriting queries, or a lease that needs a deed of variation. If your mortgage offer has a fixed expiry, tell your conveyancer at the outset so the timeline can be planned around it.
UKC Legal aims for fast completion times (4-6 weeks for freehold, 7-10 weeks for leasehold), with a dedicated case handler keeping you updated throughout.
Pros and Cons of Fixed Fee Remortgage Conveyancing
The honest answer is that fixed fees suit most remortgages and hourly billing suits a minority. Here is the trade-off in full.
Pros:
- Budget certainty from day one
- No incentive for the firm to pad the file with unnecessary correspondence
- Easier comparison between quotes
- Disbursements can be itemised so nothing arrives as a surprise
Cons:
- Some firms price in a buffer for complexity that never materialises
- Scope is defined by the quote, so genuine complications may fall outside it
- A low fixed fee can signal a high-volume, low-contact service
The Legal Ombudsman's guidance on conveyancing complaints shows that poor communication, not cost, drives most disputes.
Who Benefits Most from Fixed Fee Remortgage Conveyancing?
Fixed fee remortgage conveyancing benefits homeowners with a standard property, a straightforward title and a lender on the firm's panel. If that describes you, there is little reason to accept hourly billing.
It suits you particularly well if:
- You are remortgaging to a new fixed rate with your existing lender or a mainstream one
- Your property is freehold with a clean, registered title
- You need certainty for budgeting, not just a rough estimate
- You want a named contact rather than a shared inbox
It suits you less if your title is unregistered, your lease is defective, or the remortgage forms part of a transfer of equity with complicating factors. In those cases, ask for a fixed fee with a clearly defined scope, or accept that hourly billing may be the fairer arrangement.
Homeowners searching for remortgage solicitors across the UK should check panel membership before anything else. If the firm cannot act for your lender, the fee is irrelevant.
UKC Legal is on all major mortgage lender panels and assigns a dedicated case handler to every client, which matters most when your offer deadline is tight.
Conclusion
The real risk in a remortgage is not the fee model, it is instructing a firm that cannot act for your lender or will not explain what the quote excludes. Fixed fee remortgage conveyancing removes the cost uncertainty, provided the scope is clear and the firm is on your lender's panel.
UKC Legal handles remortgages, purchases, sales and transfers of equity with transparent fixed fees, SRA solicitors and CLC licensed conveyancers, and over 50 years of combined experience. Get started with UKC Legal and know your legal costs before the file opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a fixed fee remortgage?
A fixed fee remortgage usually covers the legal work to transfer your mortgage from one lender to another. This includes reviewing the new mortgage offer, checking the title deeds, liaising with your old and new lenders, and registering the new charge with HM Land Registry. Disbursements like Land Registry fees and bank transfer charges are typically separate. Always ask for a written breakdown of what the fee covers before instructing a solicitor.
Are there hidden costs in fixed fee conveyancing?
Hidden costs in remortgage quotes often appear as disbursements. These can include Land Registry fees, bankruptcy searches, bank telegraphic transfer fees, and leasehold management pack fees if the property is a flat. Some quotes exclude VAT or charge extra for dealing with leasehold properties. A reputable solicitor will list every potential disbursement upfront so you can budget accurately. If a quote seems unusually low, check what is excluded.
Do I need a solicitor to remortgage my property?
Most lenders require a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal side of a remortgage. They check the title, ensure the new lender's charge is registered correctly, and confirm there are no legal issues with the property. Some lenders offer free legal services, but you can usually choose your own solicitor. Using your own means you get independent advice and a dedicated case handler who updates you directly.
How long does remortgaging take?
A straightforward remortgage typically takes four to six weeks for freehold properties and seven to ten weeks for leasehold properties. Freehold properties often complete faster than leasehold ones because there is no managing agent to deal with. Delays can happen if the lender is slow to issue the offer, if there are title issues, or if the property is leasehold and the management pack takes time. A solicitor with a dedicated case handler can help keep things moving.
What is the difference between a fixed fee and an hourly rate for conveyancing?
A fixed fee means you pay one agreed price regardless of how long the work takes. An hourly rate means the final bill depends on the time spent, which can lead to uncertainty if complications arise. Fixed fees give you budget certainty, which is helpful when you are remortgaging and want to avoid surprise costs. Hourly billing can sometimes be cheaper for very simple cases, but most homeowners prefer the predictability of a fixed fee.
