Before you hire conveyancing lawyers in Melbourne, make sure you ask them the following four critical questions. Read on to find out more.
What Are Your Qualifications and Experience?
Newly qualified conveyancing lawyers in Melbourne will not have the skills or knowledge of those who have been around the block a few times, building up years of experience. Some conveyancing lawyers in Melbourne work for small firms, and may be able to offer your more personalised attention, yet they may lack the resources of a larger firm. Some offer more services than others, and fees can vary based on experience. You’re usually better off paying more for greater expertise rather than paying less for a lower level of expertise.
What is the Cost?
In order to be able to budget, it’s important to ask this question early on, as if certain conveyancing lawyers are beyond your means, it’s best to know this as soon as possible. The cost of conveyancing lawyers in Melbourne can be broken down into professional fees, search fees, and disbursements fees such as registration fees and stamp duty. You will need to know what is included in their charges and what is not, as anything out of scope will mean more charges for you. Make sure you ask your conveyancing lawyers whether they operate on an hourly basis or charge a flat fee. A flat fee may be a good idea if you have a lower budget.
Do You Have Insurance?
All decent conveyancing lawyers in Melbourne should have professional indemnity insurance if they attract criticism for the way they handle their responsibilities as a conveyancer, leading to claims of negligence. There could be potential litigation involved, and lawyers need to protect themselves, so any professional conveyancing lawyers you’re considering should already have insurance. If they don’t, this is a red flag, and you should find someone who does have insurance, because it covers you should anything go wrong.
What’s in the Contract?
Don’t assume that everything you saw in the property comes with it. If it’s not included in the contract of sale, it might not be included in the sale. Whether you’re buying or selling, you need to have a frank discussion of your expectations with your conveyancing lawyers in Melbourne to find out what has been omitted and included in the contract of sale. If in doubt, always ask for what you want, and find out if it is possible. When buying off-the-plan, ensure you check the schedule of fixtures and finishes in the contract to find out exactly what you’re getting. That way, you can avoid disappointment or misunderstandings by being clear regarding what’s in the contract.
Conclusion
There are four critical questions that you should ask your conveyancing lawyers in Melbourne, as detailed above. You need to know how much experience they have, and whether they are properly qualified in the area of conveyancing. You should also ask about the cost of their services, so that you can put them in your monthly budget. You additionally need to know if they have insurance, in case things go pear-shaped. Finally, you need to make sure everything you expect is in the contract of sale.
