How Long Does Conveyancing Take in 2026?
Few questions come up more often at the start of a move than how long conveyancing takes. The honest answer is that it depends, but you can plan around realistic ranges. This guide from Ally Randall Solicitors sets out the typical conveyancing timeline in 2026, what happens at each stage, what causes delays and what you can do to speed up conveyancing.
Quick answer: Our conveyancing process typically takes around 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the property chain and the complexity of the transaction. Wider industry estimates are often longer, at 12 to 16 weeks or more. Any timing in this guide that is not our own typical timeframe is marked as an estimate.
How Long Does Conveyancing Take on Average?
There is no single figure because every transaction is different. The first row below is our own typical timeframe. The other rows are estimates based on commonly reported industry ranges and will vary.
| Situation | Time from offer accepted to completion |
| Our typical timeframe, depending on chain and complexity | 8 to 12 weeks |
| Typical purchase with a mortgage (estimated) | 12 to 16 weeks |
| Leasehold property (estimated) | Roughly 2 to 4 weeks longer |
| Long chain or complicated title (estimated) | 16 to 20 weeks or more |
| Cash buyer, no chain, quick searches (estimated best case) | As little as 4 to 6 weeks |
These are guides, not promises. The pace of your sale is set by every party involved, including the other side’s solicitor, your lender, the local council and anyone in your chain.
The Conveyancing Timeline Stage by Stage
Several stages run side by side, so the total is not simply the sum of the parts. All timings below are estimates.
| Stage | Estimated time |
| Instructing your solicitor and completing ID checks | A few days to 2 weeks |
| Receiving and reviewing the contract pack | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Property searches | 2 to 6 weeks, longer in some council areas |
| Mortgage offer | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Enquiries and replies between solicitors | 2 to 6 weeks |
| Exchange of contracts | Once every point is agreed |
| Exchange to completion | 1 to 4 weeks, often 1 to 2 |
After completion, your solicitor still has work to do, including paying stamp duty and registering you as the new owner.
What Causes Conveyancing Delays?
Most delays come from a small number of causes. Knowing them helps you plan and ask the right questions.
Property Chains
If your purchase depends on someone else’s sale, which depends on another purchase, the whole chain moves at the speed of its slowest link. Chains are a leading cause of slow completions, and every extra link adds time and risk.
Property Searches
Local authority search times vary by council. Some return results within days and others take several weeks. This is outside your solicitor’s control, but ordering searches early helps.
Mortgage Offers and Valuations
A mortgage offer needs a valuation, underwriting and sometimes extra documents from you. Lender delays or a down-valuation can hold up exchange.
Leasehold Paperwork
Leasehold sales depend on the landlord or managing agent producing a management pack, and this can take weeks. Issues with ground rent, service charges or lease length add more time.
Title and Legal Issues
Missing documents, boundary questions, restrictions on the title or unauthorised building work need to be resolved before exchange. Finding these early is one reason a thorough solicitor saves time overall.
Survey Findings
A survey that finds defects can trigger a price renegotiation or further investigation, which can delay or end a deal.
Slow Responses and Missing Paperwork
Late ID, missing proof of funds or slow replies to enquiries add days each time. This is the cause you have the most control over.
Freehold vs Leasehold Timelines
Freehold purchases are usually quicker because there is no lease, landlord or management company to deal with. Leasehold transactions involve reviewing the lease, obtaining the management pack and checking service charges and ground rent. Allow extra time, and ask your solicitor to request the pack as soon as possible.
How Long Does a New Build Purchase Take?
New build timelines work differently. Developers often press for exchange quickly, often within about 28 days, and there can be reservation deadlines, developer contracts, planning documents and warranties to review. Completion is usually tied to the build programme, which can change, so make sure your mortgage offer will still be valid when the home is finished.
How to Speed Up Conveyancing
You cannot control every part of the process, but these steps make a real difference.
If You Are Buying
- Instruct a solicitor as soon as your offer is accepted
- Send ID and proof of funds straight away
- Get a mortgage in principle before you start house hunting and apply for the full mortgage quickly
- Book your survey early
- Reply to your solicitor the same day wherever you can
- Avoid changing the completion date unless you have to
If You Are Selling
- Instruct your solicitor before or as soon as you list
- Complete the property information and fittings and contents forms promptly
- Gather guarantees, planning permissions and building regulation certificates
- For leasehold, ask for the management pack early
- Check where your title deeds are held if the property is not registered
Can Conveyancing Be Done in 4 Weeks?
In exceptional cases it may be possible, and this is an estimate rather than a promise. It usually needs a cash buyer, no chain, a clean title, fast searches and everyone cooperating. Most transactions take longer, so treat four weeks as the best case, not the plan.
How We Keep Your Move on Track
Our residential conveyancing solicitors give every matter a dedicated fee earner, communicate proactively and look for legal risks early so they do not become delays later. You can see who would handle your case on our team page. If your transaction involves business premises, our commercial conveyancing team can advise on the timeline for commercial sales, purchases and leases.
We act for clients across Northwood Hills, Northwood, Pinner, Ruislip, Eastcote, Harrow and Watford.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Timescales marked as estimates are approximate and vary between transactions.
Ask Us About Your Timeline
If you want a realistic estimate for your own move, call us on 020 8152 8737 or contact Ally Randall Solicitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does conveyancing take from offer to completion?
Our conveyancing process typically takes around 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the property chain and the complexity of the transaction. Industry estimates are often 12 to 16 weeks, and chains or leasehold issues can extend this to 16 to 20 weeks or more.
How long after exchange of contracts is completion?
Completion is estimated to take place 1 to 4 weeks after exchange, and often within 1 to 2 weeks. The date is agreed between the parties and written into the contract.
Can conveyancing be completed in 4 weeks?
It may be possible in exceptional cases, such as a cash buyer with no chain, a clean title and fast searches. This is an estimate rather than a promise, and most transactions take longer.
Why is my conveyancing taking so long?
Common causes are property chains, slow local authority searches, mortgage offer delays, leasehold paperwork, title problems and late replies to enquiries. Ask your solicitor which stage is holding things up.
How long do property searches take?
Property searches are estimated to take 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the council and the type of search. Some areas return results within days, while others take longer.
Is leasehold conveyancing slower than freehold?
Usually, yes. Leasehold transactions are estimated to take roughly 2 to 4 weeks longer because the lease must be reviewed and the landlord or managing agent has to supply a management pack.