Buying or selling property is one of the biggest financial transactions most people will ever make. Yet choosing the person responsible for handling the legal side of that transaction can sometimes come down to a quick Google search and the cheapest quote.
Price matters. But when you're dealing with hundreds of thousands of dollars in property, competence, communication and attention to detail matter too.
Queensland Government guidance recommends shopping around for experience, services and costs, and specifically recommends choosing a firm that specialises in property or conveyancing. So how do you actually identify a reliable conveyancing solicitor?
1. Look for property experience
Conveyancing isn't simply administrative paperwork.
A conveyancing solicitor may need to deal with contracts, title searches, easements, encumbrances, finance, settlement, adjustments and property-specific legal requirements.
Queensland Government recommends asking your solicitor to check the sale contract, disclosure documents, title searches, mortgage documentation and other relevant matters. Look for a firm that regularly handles the type of property transaction you're undertaking.
2. Make sure they understand your state
Property law isn't identical across Australia. If you're buying or selling in Queensland, your solicitor should understand Queensland legislation and the requirements applying to your particular transaction. This is especially important following Queensland's introduction of the mandatory seller disclosure scheme from 1 August 2025.
Under the scheme, sellers generally need to provide buyers with a disclosure statement and prescribed certificates before the buyer signs the contract. A buyer may have termination rights if the disclosure requirements aren't properly met.
That makes local property-law expertise particularly important for Queensland sellers.
3. Ask what's actually included
Don't ask only: "How much is conveyancing?"
Ask: "What exactly is included in your fee?"
A professional quote should make it clear whether the fee includes things such as contract review, searches, title work, correspondence, settlement, adjustments, registration, standard legal advice and electronic settlement.
Also ask what isn't included.
A $900 quote that excludes $500 worth of necessary work isn't necessarily cheaper than a $1,300 quote that includes it.
4. Read reviews, but look for patterns
Online reviews can be useful, but don't look only at the star rating. Look for recurring comments about communication, responsiveness, attention to detail, settlement and personal service.
5. Ask who will actually handle your matter
You may speak to a senior solicitor during the initial consultation and then discover that most communication happens through someone you've never met.
Ask: "Who will be my primary contact?"
And: "Who will actually be responsible for my matter?"
Good communication doesn't necessarily mean you speak to a senior lawyer every day. It means you know who is responsible and how to contact them.
6. Check how proactive they are
A good conveyancer shouldn't simply wait for the settlement date. They should identify potential issues early.
For example: Is there a problem with the contract? Are searches outstanding? Is finance progressing? Are adjustments correct? Are title issues present? Are special conditions creating risk?
Stanford Legal describes its conveyancing approach as proactive, with an emphasis on identifying potential issues early and keeping clients informed throughout the transaction.
7. Don't automatically choose the cheapest conveyancer
Cheap conveyancing isn't inherently bad. But cheap and good are not the same thing. Your property transaction could involve a significant amount of money and legal responsibility.
Saving $200 on your legal fees isn't necessarily worthwhile if poor communication or missed issues create a much larger problem. Instead, compare price, experience, service, communication and scope of work.
8. Ask for a written quote
Queensland Government specifically recommends obtaining a detailed quote before appointing a solicitor. Don't rely solely on a verbal estimate.
Ask for the quote in writing and check professional fees, search fees, government charges, GST, disbursements, additional fees and what happens if the transaction becomes complicated.
9. Choose someone who explains things clearly
Property law can become technical very quickly. A good conveyancing solicitor shouldn't make you feel embarrassed for asking questions. They should be able to explain what a clause means, what happens next, what you need to do, what happens if the buyer doesn't settle and whether there is anything you need to be concerned about.
That clarity is part of the service.
Choosing the right conveyancer
Stanford Legal provides conveyancing services across Ipswich, Springfield, Brisbane and surrounding areas, with an emphasis on proactive communication, personalised service and property-law expertise.
You can explore Stanford Legal's conveyancing services or book a consultation to discuss your transaction. The right conveyancer isn't simply the one who gives you the cheapest quote. It's the one who gives you confidence that your property transaction is being handled properly.
General information only and not legal advice.
