There are many solicitors in the marketplace and choosing the right one for your requirements can be a difficult process, so we’ve explored some of the main points you should think about before instructing a solicitor to work on your behalf.

• Recommendations are a great way to find out exactly what working with a particular firm is going to be like. Rather than relying on professional recommendations that may be revenue driven, it’s better to rely on personal ones from friends or family. Most people will have had some dealings with a solicitor when they purchased their house for example, so ask as many people as you can for their opinions.

• Comparing estimates is advisable before you instruct. Prices can vary between firms and also by geographical location so getting an estimate of the likely fees to be incurred will help you reach a decision. An important point to bear in mind though is to make sure you’re comparing like with like in order to make an accurate comparison.

 

• Cheap quotes will usually prove to be cheap for a reason. If you’re buying a house for example you’ll want to know that every aspect of your purchase is receiving someone’s full attention and that they are available to discuss things with you when you need to. While it may be tempting just to choose a solicitor on price alone, you should be aware that you may not receive the level of service you expect if you simply opt for the least expensive estimate.

 

• Location is another factor you should consider when choosing a solicitor. Again, you wouldn’t want to make this the main reason for your decision but it makes sense to consider it carefully, especially if the work involved is going to require a lot of visits to the office to sign paperwork or talk things over. Most solicitors are only open during office hours so choosing one close to your workplace would allow you to conduct your business on your lunch break if necessary.

 

• Gauge the service you are likely to receive by asking a lot of questions during the selection process. This serves the purpose of checking how knowledgeable the staff are, their level of professionalism and also how available they are. If you call up to ask some basic questions initially and nobody is free to answer your queries then you may experience similar problems if you go on to become one of their clients.

Choosing a solicitor is something which requires some research and thought. If you want to make sure you get a high level of service and professionalism for whatever type of work or advice you need, the points above will help you in the right direction.