Questions to ask a conveyancer before the transfer starts

You've found a conveyancer, and now you're about to sign instructions. This is the moment to ask hard questions — not to be difficult, but because the answers will tell you how organised they are, how transparent they'll be, and whether they'll move your transfer forward or let it drift. The best conveyancers welcome scrutiny. The evasive ones tend to give you vague, lengthy, or circular replies. Here's what to probe.

What happens between now and the first payment?

Don't ask "what's your process?" — that's too broad. Instead ask: "Walk me through what you need from me before you submit anything to the Deeds Office, and by when do you need it?"

A good answer names specific documents (title deed, ID, bank statements for bond qualification, proof of address, spouse consent if applicable) and gives you a realistic timeline — often 3 to 5 working days, depending on the transaction type. They'll explain what they're checking and why.

An evasive answer drifts into generalities: "Oh, we'll guide you through it" or "we'll let you know what we need." That signals they haven't thought through your file yet or they're not organised about document collection. You want them to hand you a checklist on day one, not email you piecemeal requests in week two.

How do you keep me informed, and how fast can I reach you if something goes wrong?

This one matters because property transfers stall, and silence kills trust. Ask: "How often will I hear from you, and if I contact you with a question, how quickly should I expect a reply?"

A solid answer might sound like: "We send a status update every two weeks unless there's a hold-up, and WhatsApp or email questions get a response within 24 hours on weekdays." They might also mention that complex queries go to the senior conveyancer, but straightforward ones are handled by their admin team.

If they say "we'll be in touch when there's news" or "contact us if you're worried," they've just told you they're reactive, not proactive. That's a red flag. You're paying them to own your file, not to answer only when you chase them.

What could slow this transfer down, and what's your backup plan?

Every transfer hits a snag now and then — a mismatch in the bond documents, a spouse abroad who can't sign quickly, a Deeds Office query, load-shedding delays at the registry. Ask: "What's the most common thing that delays a transfer like mine, and if that happens, how do you fix it?"

A trustworthy conveyancer will name 2 or 3 realistic blockers and explain how they'll handle them — for example, "If the bond docs don't match the purchase price, we'll liaise with the bank's attorney immediately and ask them to reissue," or "If you're overseas when signatures are needed, we'll use a notarised power of attorney."

They should also ask *you* upfront whether you're aware of anything unusual about the property — prior claims, co-ownership disputes, rezoning plans. If they don't ask, they're not thinking ahead.

An evasive answer sounds like: "We'll sort it out" or "let's see what happens." That's not a plan; that's a hope.

What won't you do, and when should I bring in another expert?

Conveyancing has boundaries. A conveyancer handles the property transfer; they don't do tax planning, bond structuring, or dispute resolution. Ask: "If I need advice on how to hold the title — as co-owners, in a trust, or via my company — do you advise on that, or do I need a separate lawyer or accountant?"

A clear answer protects you both. They'll either say "we can advise" or "we'll refer you to a tax specialist for that conversation, then we'll execute whatever structure you choose." Either is fine; vagueness is not.

Bring your checklist to your first meeting or send it by email and ask them to reply point by point. Watch how they respond. Speed, specificity, and honesty — those are your three measures. Once you're satisfied, you're ready to sign instructions. If they duck the questions, find another conveyancer. This is your biggest asset. The person managing its transfer deserves scrutiny.