Moving home is exciting and exhausting at the same time. There are surveys to arrange, chains to manage, solicitors to chase, and deadlines that seem to shift every week.
You just want someone who keeps things moving and tells you what’s actually happening. And that’s exactly what we deliver.
Conveyancing is the legal process of buying, selling or remortgaging property. It sounds straightforward, but the paperwork, searches, and back-and-forth between parties can quickly become overwhelming, especially if communication breaks down somewhere along the chain.
At Hill and Company, our conveyancing solicitors have been helping families across Cheshire and South Manchester buy and sell property for over 170 years. Based in Altrincham town centre, we handle everything from first-time purchases to complex leasehold transactions and commercial property matters.
We’re not a call-centre conveyancing factory. We’re your local high street solicitors, and you’ll work with the same person from start to finish. When you call, you’ll speak to someone who knows your name and your file.
Whether you’re purchasing your first home or selling to downsize, we’ll guide you through every step.
What we handle:
- Freehold and leasehold purchases and sales
- First-time buyer transactions
- Chain management and liaison with other parties
- Help to Buy and Shared Ownership schemes
- Right to Buy purchases
- New build purchases
Our process:
We review contracts, conduct property searches, raise enquiries with the seller’s solicitors, report on title and mortgage conditions, coordinate exchange and completion, and handle Land Registry registration and Stamp Duty payment.
Throughout, we keep you informed at every key stage, no chasing required.
Switching mortgage providers or releasing equity from your home? We make the legal side straightforward.
What we handle:
- Remortgages with new lenders
- Equity release schemes
- Further advances and product transfers
- Liaising with your lender and existing mortgage provider
Our conveyancing team is on the approved panel for the majority of mortgage lenders, which means we can act for both you and your lender to save you time and money.
Leasehold properties come with additional complexity. We’ll explain what you need to know and protect your interests.
What we handle:
- Leasehold purchases and sales
- Lease extensions (statutory and voluntary)
- Ground rent and service charge review
- Reporting on lease terms and restrictions
- Freehold acquisitions where applicable
If you’re buying a flat or leasehold house, we’ll review the lease terms carefully and flag anything that might cause problems before you commit.
Transferring property ownership between family members, adding or removing someone from the title or changing how property is held? We can help.
What we handle:
- Adding or removing a name from the title
- Changing from joint tenants to tenants in common (or vice versa)
- Transfers following separation or divorce
- Gifting property to family members
- Declaration of Trust preparation
Our team also handles commercial property transactions for small businesses and landlords.
What we handle:
- Purchase and sale of commercial property
- Drafting and reviewing commercial leases
- Lease renewals and assignments
- Landlord and tenant matters
How Much Does Conveyancing Cost in Altrincham?
Our standard fixed fees for residential conveyancing start at £900 plus VAT for straightforward transactions.
Actual costs depend on the property value and complexity. We’ll provide a detailed, personalised quote before you instruct us, so you know exactly what to expect.
Our fees include:
- All legal work from instruction to completion
- Land Registry registration
- Stamp Duty Land Tax (or Land Transaction Tax) submission
- Electronic money transfer fees
- Liaising with your lender (if applicable)
Disbursements, i.e. costs payable to third parties like search providers and the Land Registry, are charged separately and explained in your quote.
Why Choose Hill and Company for Conveyancing in Cheshire?
- 170+ years of experience. Hill and Company have been helping families in Altrincham, Hale, Sale, Trafford, and the surrounding areas buy and sell property since the 1850s. We’re still here because we do the job properly.
- Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme accredited. The CQS mark means our conveyancing processes meet the highest industry standards for security, compliance, and client care. It’s why we’re on the approved panel for most major mortgage lenders.
- One solicitor, start to finish. You won’t be passed around. Your dedicated conveyancer handles your transaction from instruction to completion, and they’re the person you speak to when you call.
- Local knowledge, local presence. We’re based in Altrincham town centre. Pop in to sign documents, drop off paperwork or have a chat with your conveyancer face-to-face. We know the local property market and the solicitors you’ll be dealing with on the other side.
- Home visits available. Can’t come to us? We offer home visits across Cheshire and South Manchester for clients who find it difficult to attend our office.
- Communication that doesn’t leave you guessing. Most conveyancing complaints come down to poor communication. We proactively update you at key stages, respond to calls and emails promptly, and explain things in plain English.
How Long Does Conveyancing Take?
The average residential property transaction takes 12 to 16 weeks from offer accepted to completion.
However, timescales vary depending on the chain length, how quickly searches are returned, mortgage arrangements, and how responsive other parties are.
What can slow things down:
- Long chains with multiple parties
- Delayed search results from local authorities
- Outstanding enquiries or missing documents
- Mortgage offer conditions
- Lease extension negotiations
We work proactively to keep your transaction moving and will flag any issues that might cause delays as early as possible.
Conveyancing FAQ
Can you help with leasehold properties in Altrincham?
Yes. Leasehold flats are common in Altrincham and across South Manchester, and they come with additional complexity, e.g. lease length, ground rent, service charges, and restrictions all need careful review. We check lease terms thoroughly before you commit and can advise on lease extensions if the remaining term is getting short.
What is the difference between freehold and leasehold?
With a freehold, you’re the outright owner. That means the building and the ground it sits on are yours indefinitely. With a leasehold, you have the right to occupy the property for however many years remain on the lease, but someone else (the freeholder) owns the land. That’s why leaseholders pay ground rent.
Most houses in Altrincham are freehold; most flats are leasehold. We’ll explain exactly what you’re buying and flag anything in the lease that could cause problems.
How do I choose a conveyancing solicitor in Altrincham?
Look for a firm that’s Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accredited. This is the industry gold standard and means they meet strict requirements for client care, security, and compliance.
Check they’re on your mortgage lender’s approved panel. A local Altrincham firm can offer face-to-face meetings and knows the area, which helps when dealing with local authority searches or liaising with other solicitors in Trafford and Cheshire.
What property searches do you carry out in Cheshire?
We conduct local authority searches with Trafford Council (or the relevant authority for your property), environmental searches covering flood risk and contaminated land, and drainage and water searches with United Utilities.
Depending on the property’s location, we may recommend additional searches. For example, coal mining searches in parts of Cheshire, or HS2 route searches for properties near the planned line.
How long does conveyancing take in Altrincham?
Most residential transactions complete within 8 to 16 weeks from offer accepted. Timescales depend on the chain length, how quickly Trafford Council returns search results, mortgage arrangements, and how responsive the other parties are. We work proactively to keep things moving and flag potential delays early.
Contact Our Conveyancing Solicitors in Altrincham
Whether you’re buying, selling or remortgaging, our experienced team is ready to help you take the next step.
We’re based in Altrincham town centre and offer home visits across Cheshire and South Manchester for clients who cannot attend our office.
We’re the law firm for life – here when you buy your first home, and still here when you downsize.
