How Long does Buying a House Take? | Nash & Co Solicitors
Written by Amy Paterson | Residential Conveyancing team | 11 March 2026
If you are buying a property one of the first questions you are likely to ask is: “How long will the process take?”
It’s not surprising that this is one of the most common questions residential conveyancing solicitors are asked. Unfortunately, the answer is not always straightforward.
As conveyancers, we see first-hand that no two residential property transactions are ever the same.
Whilst we would like to be able to provide a clear and concise timeframe at the outset, there are a number of factors that come into play which will affect the time the transaction takes from making your offer to collecting your keys.
In general, most residential conveyancing transactions take between 8–12 weeks from instruction to completion. However, this can be shorter or longer depending on the complexity of the transaction and the position of others in the chain.
Whether you are buying in the Plymouth, or elsewhere in England and Wales, the overall process and legal stages involved are broadly the same.
What affects how long conveyancing takes?
The average transaction timescale will vary greatly depending on:
how many properties are in the chain and the status of each transaction
how complex the legal title is
what issues need to be resolved such as title defects or lack of consents such as building regulation approvals
mortgage lender requirements
the involvement of third parties such as Landlords and Management Companies (particularly with leasehold properties or new build properties)
These factors can affect transactions regardless of whether the property is in Plymouth, elsewhere in Devon and Cornwall, or further afield.
How to avoid delays when buying a property
Whilst some factors are outside of your control, there are practical steps you can take to help your purchase progress smoothly. One of the most important steps is ensuring you are “compliance ready” before you formally instruct your conveyancing solicitor.
In recent years, compliance requirements have become more detailed, particularly in relation to source of funds and source of wealth checks. These requirements apply wherever you are buying a property, and all conveyancers must carry them out.
Being organised at the outset can make a significant difference to the overall timescale of your transaction. Below are some key points to consider.
Establish how your purchase is being funded
Before making an offer, it is important to establish exactly how your purchase will be funded.
If you are buying with the assistance of a mortgage, obtaining a mortgage in principle early will place you in a stronger position. If family members are providing financial assistance by way of gift or loan, those arrangements should be discussed clearly at the outset.
Changing funding arrangements part-way through a residential conveyancing transaction is likely to cause delay and may require further lender approval.
Evidence your funds at the earliest opportunity
Anti Money Laundering Regulations require conveyancers to verify the source of all funds used to purchase a property.
We must be able to evidence where your funds are held and how they have been accumulated, whether through savings from employment, inheritance, a gifted deposit or the sale of another property.
All property solicitors will carry out these checks, and many will not be able to progress matters until compliance requirements are satisfied. Providing documentation promptly can therefore prevent unnecessary delay.
Declare any gifted deposits early
If you are receiving a gifted deposit from a family member or friend, this should be disclosed at the start of the transaction.
We will need to contact the person providing the gift to:
verify their identification
obtain proof of the source of their funds
arrange for a Gifted Deposit Declaration to be signed
Even where funds have already been transferred, statements from the person providing the gift will still be required to evidence the origin of the money.
Whilst this can feel intrusive, it is a standard part of residential conveyancing and applies across all transactions. We appreciate that relatives or third parties may feel uncomfortable providing this information however solicitors will not be able to proceed unless these compliance requirements are satisfied.
Therefore, if you are receiving a gift, it is important to have a conversation with the giftor at the outset to inform them of what will be requested of them and to ask them to have their paperwork in order.
If you are purchasing the property with a mortgage, we will also need to check the lender’s requirements and in some circumstances, we may need to write to your lender regarding the gift.
Arrange your survey promptly
If you intend to have a survey carried out, we recommend making enquiries with suitable surveyors at an early stage and checking availability.
We strongly advise that buyers obtain an appropriate survey before exchange of contracts, whether purchasing with a mortgage or as a cash buyer.
It is ultimately for the buyer to satisfy themselves as to the condition of the property. In practice, we see more transactions fall through due to adverse survey findings than because of title defects that cannot be resolved.
Arranging your survey early allows negotiations to take place before significant legal costs are incurred and helps to keep the conveyancing process on track.
When should you instruct a conveyancing solicitor?
Ideally, you should instruct a conveyancing solicitor as soon as your offer has been accepted.
Early instruction allows identity and compliance checks to be completed without delay and enables your conveyancer to request contract documentation promptly from the seller’s solicitor.
Buyers who instruct early and provide documentation quickly are often in a stronger position, particularly in competitive markets
Choosing the right conveyancing solicitor
Buying a house is one of the most significant financial commitments you will make. Choosing experienced residential conveyancing solicitors can make a meaningful difference to both timescales and peace of mind.
When selecting a conveyancer, you may wish to consider:
whether you will have direct contact with a qualified solicitor/conveyancer
experience in handling residential transactions across Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall
clear and transparent fee structures
proactive communication with estate agents and mortgage advisers
A well-managed conveyancing transaction should feel organised, informed and supported from instruction through to completion.
How Nash & Co Solicitors can help
If you are buying a property in Devon and Cornwall, or in another area within England and Wales, and would like clear advice on likely timescales, our residential conveyancing team would be pleased to assist.
We act for first-time buyers, home movers and property investors across the South West and nationally, providing practical advice and efficient handling of residential property transactions.
You can receive a no-obligation conveyancing quote via our online quote calculator. Alternatively, if you would like to discuss your purchase directly with our Residential Conveyancing team, you can contact them by calling 01752 827050 or emailing enquiries@nash.co.uk.
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Many property transactions fail due to issues uncovered during surveys, changes in funding arrangements or breakdowns in communication within the chain. Being organised from the outset, ensuring your finances are clearly structured and responding promptly to requests from your solicitor can significantly reduce the transaction timescale and the risk of a transaction falling through. Choosing an experienced conveyancing team who manages matters proactively also helps keep the transaction stable.
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Issues can arise at any stage. Common examples include title defects, missing building regulation approvals, delays within the chain, survey findings or lender-specific requirements. Whilst not every issue can be predicted, an experienced solicitor will identify concerns early and explain your options clearly so you can make informed decisions.
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No, you do not have to use a conveyancing solicitor located locally to the property. Provided your purchase is in England or Wales, you are free to instruct any firm qualified to handle transactions there, wherever they are based. Modern conveyancing is handled primarily through email, telephone and secure online systems, such as our app, so you do not necessarily need to attend your solicitor’s office in person. Identification and compliance checks can usually be completed remotely, and documents are often signed electronically.
Many clients choose a firm based on reputation, service levels and communication rather than location. While some buyers value local knowledge, it is not a requirement. The most important factor is choosing a solicitor who is responsive, experienced and proactive in managing your transaction.
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Although our Residential Conveyancing team is based in Plymouth and works extensively across Devon and Cornwall, we have vast experience working with clients throughout England and Wales. Location is rarely a barrier in modern conveyancing. Whether you are buying locally or relocating elsewhere in the country, we can manage your transaction from instruction to completion.
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You can obtain a no-obligation conveyancing quote using our online quote calculator. If you would prefer to speak directly with a member of our Residential Conveyancing team, you can contact us by calling 01752 827050 or emailing enquiries@nash.co.uk to discuss your circumstances before instructing.
