Once you’ve decided a licensed conveyancer is the right fit for your transaction — see our guide on conveyancer vs solicitor if you’re still weighing that up — the next decision is which one. Quotes can look similar on paper, and most firms describe themselves the same way: experienced, responsive, stress-free. The questions below cut through that and help you compare conveyancers on what actually matters.
1. Are You Licensed, and Can I Check?
This should never feel like an awkward question. Every conveyancer operating in Victoria must hold a current licence under the Conveyancers Act 2006, and Consumer Affairs Victoria maintains a public register you can search by name or licence number to confirm it’s current. A conveyancer who hesitates to give you their licence number, or who can’t be found on the register, is a clear red flag — don’t proceed until you’ve verified it independently.
2. Do You Hold Professional Indemnity Insurance?
Professional indemnity insurance is compulsory for every licensed conveyancer in Victoria — it’s what protects you financially if an error in their work causes you loss. This should be a given rather than a selling point, but it’s worth confirming directly, particularly if you’re dealing with a smaller or newer practice. A conveyancer should be able to confirm this without hesitation.
3. What's Actually Included in Your Fee?
Fixed-fee pricing is standard for conveyancing in Victoria, but “fixed fee” doesn’t always mean the same thing from one firm to the next. Ask specifically what’s included in the quoted price and what’s charged separately as a disbursement — search fees, certificates, PEXA fees, and government charges are usually passed through regardless, but the professional fee itself should be clearly defined upfront. A low headline quote that adds substantial disbursements later isn’t necessarily cheaper than a higher quote that’s genuinely all-inclusive. Get the breakdown in writing before you commit.
4. How Many Transactions Like Mine Do You Handle?
Conveyancing volume and familiarity with your specific property type matter more than years in business alone. A conveyancer who handles standard residential purchases every week will move efficiently through the routine issues that come up. If your situation is less standard — off-the-plan, a deceased estate, a family transfer, or a property with unusual title history — ask directly whether they regularly handle that type of matter, rather than assuming general experience covers it.
5. Who Will Actually Be Working on My File?
At larger firms, the person who quotes you isn’t always the person managing your file day to day. It’s reasonable to ask who will be your main point of contact, whether that person is the licensed conveyancer themselves or a member of their team, and how communication will work if your usual contact is unavailable at a critical moment — such as just before a cooling-off deadline or settlement.
6. How Will You Keep Me Updated, and How Quickly Do You Respond?
Property transactions move on tight, sometimes unpredictable timelines — finance approval, inspection results, and vendor responses can all shift quickly. Ask how the firm communicates progress (proactive updates versus only responding when you ask) and what response time you can expect to a query. You don’t need a reply within minutes, but if a firm is slow to respond before you’ve even engaged them, that’s a reasonable signal of what to expect once they have your business.
7. What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?
Most transactions proceed smoothly, but it’s worth understanding upfront how a firm handles complications — a Section 32 issue, a finance condition not being met, a vendor dispute, or a settlement delay. A conveyancer who can clearly explain how they’d approach a problem, rather than simply assuring you nothing will go wrong, is generally a better sign of genuine experience.
A Few Practical Red Flags
Beyond the questions themselves, a few signs are worth paying attention to regardless of how a firm answers:
- Reluctance to confirm their licence number or insurance status
- A quote that seems significantly lower than others without a clear explanation of what’s excluded
- Vague or evasive answers about who will actually manage your file
- Pressure to sign up immediately without time to review the engagement terms
Why This Matters More Than It Might Seem
A property transaction is very likely the largest financial commitment you’ll make, and the conveyancing fee itself is a small fraction of what’s at stake if something is handled poorly. The right questions, asked before you engage anyone, cost you nothing and can save considerable time, money, and stress later.
How PRD Conveyancing Answers These Questions
We’re a licensed conveyancing team based in Dandenong, combining experienced conveyancers with the support of qualified legal professionals, so you’re not left needing a referral if your transaction turns out to be more complex than expected. We work on fixed-fee pricing with the breakdown made clear upfront, and you’ll know who’s handling your file from the outset. Speak to our team — we’re happy to answer all seven of these questions directly.
Sources & References
- Consumer Affairs Victoria — Public register of licensed conveyancers
- Conveyancers Act 2006 (Vic)
This article provides general guidance for choosing a conveyancer in Victoria and is not legal advice. Always verify a conveyancer’s licence independently before engaging them.
