Lawyers slammed in house-hunter survey

Ranking by Category

Respondents voted lawyers as providing not only the poorest quality of service but also as the most obstructive in the buying/selling process. They also scored badly on value for money. Women were particularly hostile to the legal profession: 60.4% of female respondents thought they were bad or terrible value for money.

Stepping in to save the day were surveyors, who respondents thought provided the best value for money and the best quality of service.

Banks and building societies were considered excellent value for money and came second overall.

Estate Agents were top performers on minimising delays, despite scoring less well on value for money and quality of service.

Comments from the respondents included the following:

‘Solicitors are so hard to get hold of. At least estate agents are available at weekends.’

‘My lawyer insists on writing three letters when one e-mail or phone call would have been perfectly adequate.’

‘A full survey is not cheap, but I wouldn’t buy a house without one.’

Other findings included:

Almost twice as many home buyers thought Banks/Building Societies provide excellent or good quality of service compared to lawyers (51.9% v 27%)

45% participants said Estate Agents were excellent or good at minimising delays compared to 51% who felt that lawyers were bad or terrible at causing them.

45% of males voted lawyers as bad or worst value for money but a massive 60.4% females ranked them bad or worst

51% of respondents praised surveyors for providing excellent or good quality of service whereas only 15% voted them bad or terrible.

Jim Buckle, Managing Director, assertahome.com said: “Lawyers are the undisputed villains in the housebuying process. Our survey found them most likely to cause delays and least likely to provide a good quality of service. By contrast house-buyers clearly recognise the important role surveyors play and voted them the heroes.’

Key Data