Buying or selling property is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make, and the conveyancing process can feel confusing if you haven’t been through it before. Here are the questions our property team hears most often from clients across the Gold Coast and South East Queensland.

How much does conveyancing cost in Queensland?

Conveyancing costs in Queensland are generally made up of two parts: the legal fee for your solicitor’s work, and disbursements (the out-of-pocket costs paid to third parties, such as title searches, council and water rates searches, and settlement agent fees). For a standard residential purchase or sale, total costs commonly range from around $900 to $2,000 including disbursements, though this varies depending on the complexity of the contract, whether you’re buying or selling, and the property’s value. Getting a fixed-fee quote upfront, like the ones on our Shop page, is the easiest way to know exactly what you’ll pay before you commit.

What does a conveyancer or property lawyer actually do?

Your conveyancer reviews the contract of sale, carries out searches to check for anything that could affect your ownership (such as easements, outstanding rates or planning restrictions), liaises with the other party’s representative, prepares and lodges the transfer documents, and coordinates settlement so the property and funds change hands correctly. A solicitor can also advise you on the legal risks in the contract itself, which a licensed conveyancer who isn’t a lawyer typically cannot do.

How long does conveyancing take in Queensland?

Most standard residential contracts in Queensland settle 30 to 60 days after the contract date, though this is negotiable between the parties. The conveyancing work itself (searches, contract review and preparation of documents) usually takes a few weeks, but can move faster for a straightforward cash purchase or slower if there’s finance approval, a sale-dependent contract, or title issues to resolve.

What should I check before signing a contract to purchase a property?

Before you sign, it’s worth checking the special conditions (not just the standard terms), confirming your finance and building/pest inspection timeframes are realistic, understanding what happens to your deposit if the contract falls through, and checking whether the property is affected by body corporate rules, easements or heritage listings. We recommend having a solicitor review the contract before you sign wherever possible, rather than after. Once you’ve signed, your options to negotiate are more limited.

Can I use the same lawyer for both buying and selling property at the same time?

Yes, provided there’s no conflict of interest between the two transactions (which is common when they’re unrelated), the same firm can usually act for you on both your purchase and your sale, which can make coordinating a simultaneous settlement easier.

If you’re buying or selling property anywhere in Queensland, our conveyancing team offers fixed-fee pricing so you know the cost upfront. View our pricing or get in touch to start the conversation.