How long conveyancing takes is one of the most common questions we are asked, and the honest answer is that it depends. A cash purchase with no chain can move quickly; a long chain with leasehold flats and slow searches can take months. This guide sets out the typical timescales, each stage and who it waits on, the things that most often cause delays and what you can do to keep your move on track.
How long does conveyancing take on average?
Across England and Wales, it took an average of 4.4 months to get from an agreed sale to exchange of contracts in the first quarter of 2026, according to TwentyCi’s Property and Homemover Report. Completion, when the money moves and you get the keys, usually follows a few days to a few weeks after exchange, on a date agreed between everyone in the chain.
That average includes long chains and transactions that hit problems. A straightforward move, with no chain or a short one, can be much quicker. We will give you a realistic timescale for your own move once we know the details, and keep you updated as each stage is done.
How long each stage takes
- ID and onboarding: a few days. Depends on you returning ID, forms and proof of funds. Digital ID checks make this quick.
- Contract pack: one to two weeks. The seller’s solicitor sends the title, draft contract and property forms. It can be days if the seller prepared them in advance.
- Searches: often around two weeks. Local authority search times vary from council to council. Water, drainage and environmental searches are usually faster.
- Mortgage offer: two to four weeks. Depends on your lender and the valuation. Runs alongside the searches and enquiries.
- Enquiries: two to six weeks. Questions to the seller’s solicitor about the contract, searches and survey. The time depends on how quickly answers come back.
- Exchange to completion: one to four weeks. Agreed between everyone in the chain at exchange.
These stages overlap, so the total is less than the sum of them. Our how it works page shows the full process and who each stage waits on.
How long does conveyancing take with no chain, or as a cash buyer?
Being chain-free removes the biggest source of delay: waiting for other sales to be ready. A cash buyer also skips the mortgage application and valuation. In these cases the timescale is mostly set by the searches, the seller’s solicitor and how quickly enquiries are answered, so the process can often be completed in a matter of weeks rather than months.
Even cash buyers need full checks. You still need to prove where the money comes from, and we still investigate the title and searches before you commit.
How long after searches does it take to exchange?
Once the searches are back, we review them alongside the contract pack and raise any remaining enquiries. When the answers are satisfactory, your mortgage offer is in and you have signed the contract, we report to you and can exchange as soon as the rest of the chain is ready. If everything else is in place, that can be within a couple of weeks; if the chain is still catching up, it can take longer.
Why local search times vary so much
The local authority search comes from the council, and councils work at very different speeds. In April 2026, SearchFlow figures put the national average at 10 working days, with some councils returning searches in 3 days and others taking more than 30.
Councils that have moved their local land charges register to HM Land Registry return that part of the search straight away, though the council still answers the other enquiries. Our area guides show the latest search times for each council we cover.
What slows conveyancing down?
- Long chains, where every sale depends on the one below it.
- Slow local authority searches in some council areas.
- Leasehold properties, where the managing agent’s information pack (the LPE1) can take weeks to arrive.
- Mortgage offers that need extra information, or a down-valuation.
- Missing documents, such as building regulations certificates, planning permissions or guarantees.
- Delays in returning ID, forms or signed documents.
- Unregistered land, probate sales and properties in a divorce, which involve extra steps.
How to speed up conveyancing
- Instruct your conveyancer as soon as your offer is accepted, or when you put your home on the market if you are selling.
- Complete your ID checks and forms straight away.
- If you are selling, gather certificates, guarantees and planning documents early, or prepare the information upfront with a Home Sale Pack.
- Apply for your mortgage promptly and book any survey early.
- Reply to questions quickly and keep your conveyancer informed about your plans and dates.
Upfront information helps
When the seller’s legal information is ready before a buyer is found, the buyer’s solicitor can start their checks straight away instead of waiting for the contract pack.
Common questions
It varies widely. The national average from sale agreed to exchange was 4.4 months in early 2026, with completion shortly after. Straightforward chain-free moves are often much quicker.
Often, yes. The buyer’s solicitor needs information from the landlord or managing agent, which can take several weeks, and the lease itself needs careful review.
Yes, if everyone in the chain is ready and the money is in place. It leaves no gap between being committed and moving, so it suits some moves more than others.
Usually less time than a purchase, because there is no chain. The main factors are the lender’s offer and any searches or checks the lender requires.
This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Have a question? Read our FAQs or ask us.
