How can I save money on my property lawyer fees?

Whether buying, selling, or refinancing, there are many reasons to hire a property lawyer. Unfortunately, legal costs can add up and many people look for ways to reduce the total fee.

If you’re looking for a reliable property lawyer or conveyancer that won’t break the bank, use this article to determine where to splurge and where to save. We explain the various industry tips on how to save on legal fees, and which aspects you should invest in.

How to save money on property lawyer fees

Research and compare

First things first, you should always shop around multiple property lawyers for a full range of options. This will help you find the most suitable fit for your needs and discuss fees with each of them.

It will also help you understand the typical costs of conveyancing once you see the average costs quoted by each lawyer.

During this research stage, start by searching “property lawyers near me” online. This should yield a number of local property law experts to start with. We also recommend seeking recommendations from friends and family who have been through the process before. Ask them about the services, expertise, and rates to gain a clear picture.

Negotiate the fee structure

Once you have a few options, ask about the fee structure. Some lawyers use hourly rates, while others use fixed rates. In some cases, payment plans and instalments are also an option.

Hourly

Many attorneys bill by the hour, depending on expertise, location, and other factors. The rate is usually billed in six-minute increments.

Flat fee

Some lawyers charge a flat fee for certain tasks, such as performing a title check or reviewing a sale and purchase agreement. For example, a property title review typically ranges from $100 - $250 + GST. See the tables below for more fee ranges.

Consider a package deal

In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to pay for a full package of conveyancing services than for each individual service. Ask your conveyancer or property lawyer if this is an option and they may be able to consolidate multiple tasks into one simple bundle.

Seek referrals

Ask people you know about their own experiences with property law and any recommendations they have. In many cases, people will have something to say – either positive or negative. It always helps to hear these reviews before signing a contract.

Past clients are also far more objective than the lawyers themselves so you can usually trust them to be honest about fees.

Minimise billable hours

By doing your homework and completing some basic tasks yourself, you may be able to reduce the amount of time your property lawyers bill you for.

For example, organise all your documents in advance, present information well, and communicate clearly to avoid costly misunderstandings. While this may seem simple, it can save a lot of time and money by the end of the process.

Choose online conveyancing

Did you know conveyancing can be done online? While meeting your property lawyer in person may be more conventional, most conveyancing can be done via a secure online portal. With lower overhead costs to cover, online property lawyers charge far less than local property lawyers.

Additionally, an online conveyancing service allows you to complete all communication from wherever you are so you don’t need to arrange appointments or travel to the office. At the end of your property transaction, this amounts to significant savings in time, stress, and money.

Other cost-saving tips

Before signing any agreements, we also recommend you use the following tips to keep legal fees to a minimum:

• Learn about the conveyancing process

• Understand the scope of work

• Be ready with all documents for AML compliance

• Be realistic about the time the work requires

• Clarify and negotiate expenses

• Avoid unnecessary litigation and settlements

• Review invoices and challenge questionable charges

• Seek free legal resources and guidance online

• Keep track of all your legal expenses for tax purposes

How much does conveyancing cost?

To avoid being overcharged, it helps to know the typical conveyancing fees in New Zealand. To make it easy, we’ve summarised the range of fees for common conveyancing services below.

Conveyancing fee range when buying a property

Service

Fee Range

Property title review

$100 - $250 + GST

Prepare a Sale and Purchase Agreement

$200 - $350 + GST

Review a Sale and Purchase Agreement

$100 - $250 + GST

Receiving Loan Instructions

$200 - $350 + GST

Anti-money laundering check

$85 - $140 pp + GST

LIM Report review

$100 - $250 + GST

Settlement

$200 - $400 + GST

Conveyancing fee range when selling a property

Service

Fee Range

Anti-money laundering check

$85 - $140 pp + GST

Property title review

$100 - $250 + GST

Review a Sale and Purchase Agreement

$100 - $250 + GST

Advice on contract conditions

$100 - $250 + GST

Settlement

$200 - $400 + GST

Discharge of your mortgage

$300 - $400 + GST

How to get a conveyancing quote

At Halliwells via LegalPath, we strive to give you a convenient and hassle-free service. Everything we do is online so you don’t need to worry about office appointments or posting legal documents.

To get a free, no-obligation quote, simply follow these 7 easy steps on our online tool:

1. Open the quoting tool

2. Select the services you need

3. Answer the questions, adding as many details as you can.

4. Review the summary and confirm the details.

5. Add your contact information.

6. Submit the request.

7. The Halliwells team will send you a free, fixed quote shortly.