It seems you can get anything online these days and when buying commercial property, it’s no different. There is a plethora of online conveyancing firms that claim to do the job, but is handing this vital process over to random voices at the end of a phone line really the right way to go about carrying out this important and often complex process?

As ever, the decision is one that should be made once you have considered what you want from a conveyancing service. It’s important – especially considering the complexities of acquiring commercial property – to ensure that your expectations for the process are going to be successfully met. To help you with this thought process, here are the top three questions that you need to ask:

How Important Is Local Knowledge?

The specialist local knowledge of a conveyancing solicitor in your area cannot be underestimated. They are likely to be aware of any local issues that may impact upon the process and are likely to have experience in negotiating these factors.

If having knowledge of the area in which you are buying is likely to be important to you, then employing an online conveyancing firm may not be the right move – often such firms operate in the fashion of a call centre, likely to be a long way away from where you are and unlikely to have local knowledge.

How Much Support Do I Want?

This is an important factor to consider. If you are happy communicating digitally, then an online firm may be all you need – although when commercial property represents such an important business investment, many people feel safer communicating face to face.

One advantage of a local conveyancing solicitor is the ability for you to pop into the office and check on progress as and when you need to. You are also more likely to have a single point of contact who will be with you every step of the way.

Is Going Online Cheaper?

Cost is the big draw for many firms looking to acquire commercial premises. This is already an expensive process, so it’s natural to want to seek out a good deal. Online firms can often appear cheaper at first, but many operate just like a budget airline – it’s important to beware of stealthily applied add-ons that push the cost up considerably and lower your value for money.

A reputable local solicitor, on the other hand, should provide you with clear and understandable terms of business outlining the services provided and the costs thereof.

Contact us if you are in the Wisbech and March area for more information on how we can help you.