Step 1: completion cash
Model deposit, property tax and buying fees together. This is your hard cash requirement before keys are collected.
Buying costs hub
Use this hub to plan completion cash with one workflow: run your core calculator scenario, test two or three practical alternatives, then add cost-component assumptions (legal, surveys, lender fees and logistics) before setting an offer ceiling.
Scenario starters
Step 2: monthly carrying cost
Add recurring costs like council tax, insurance, service charges and maintenance. This stops overbidding on a purchase that is hard to carry.
Step 3: downside check
Pressure-test with a higher offer and conservative rates. If the deal only works on perfect assumptions, reduce your offer ceiling.
Conveyancing fees
Solicitor or conveyancer legal fees typically run from £800 to £1,800 for a standard freehold purchase. Add disbursements — searches, Land Registry, bank transfers — and the total is usually £1,200 to £2,500. Leasehold, new-build and complex title work can push costs higher.
Open component pageSurvey costs
Often around £400–£1,500 depending on survey level and property type.
Open component pageSearch pack costs
Commonly around £250–£450 for core local, drainage and environmental searches.
Open component pageRemovals and moving logistics
Often around £400–£2,000+ based on distance, volume and access constraints.
Open component pageMortgage and lender fees
Product and lender fees can range from £0 to £2,000+.
Open component pageWritten and reviewed by James Whitfield and the HomeBuyingCosts editorial team.
Stamp duty, LBTT and LTT figures are checked against GOV.UK, Revenue Scotland and GOV.WALES. We explain every cost of buying a home in plain English, with worked examples. Editorial standards · About us