Recent research has revealed that growing numbers of buyers and sellers are choosing a specialist conveyancer over a general solicitor.
According to InfoTrack, over the past year, 43% of people moving home have opted to use the services of a conveyancer rather than a local solicitor. This figure has risen by 16 percentage points over the past three years, up from 27%. The study, entitled ‘Home Moving in the Age of the Consumer’ also indicates that consumers are shopping around before committing to a conveyancer.
Prior to choosing their conveyancer, the research also showed that 3/5 respondents gathered several quotes before making their decision, compared to just under a quarter (24%) three years ago.
During the past 12 months, more than half (52%) of clients chose to contact their conveyancer electronically, either by email or via the firm’s website. This can be contrasted with the results recorded three years ago, which showed that initial contact with a conveyancer would be over the phone (41%) of face-to-face (26%).
The figures arguably reflect a wider shift in the way that consumers are selecting their legal service provider, spending more time on their decision as well as looking the firm up online to inform their choice.
Research from the Solicitors Regulation Authority published earlier this year also reflects this, showing that consumers value reputation over price when it comes to choosing a provider.
The full whitepaper can be accessed here.
