Last updated: 19 September 2026 · Highwood Solicitors
Highwood Solicitors is committed to being open and clear about our fees and the way we work. In line with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Transparency Rules, this page sets out the price and service information for the areas of work the SRA requires us to publish, along with details of our complaints handling and regulatory status.
All fees quoted below are estimates for straightforward matters. Every client receives a written, individually tailored quote before any work begins, and we will always tell you in advance if we expect a matter to cost more than originally estimated.
Our fees cover all the work required to complete the purchase or sale of a residential freehold or leasehold property, including dealing with registration at HM Land Registry and, where relevant, payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax.
| Property Value | Estimated Legal Fee (exc. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Up to £100,000 | £750 – £950 |
| £100,001 – £250,000 | £950 – £1,250 |
| £250,001 – £500,000 | £1,250 – £1,750 |
| £500,001 – £1,000,000 | £1,750 – £2,500 |
| Over £1,000,000 | By quotation |
VAT is charged at 20% on legal fees and on some disbursements.
Likely disbursements (third-party costs we handle on your behalf):
Depending on your matter, additional disbursements may apply, such as a leasehold supplement (£200 – £400), a declaration of trust (£200 – £350), a Help to Buy ISA fee (£50), or a shared ownership supplement (£300 – £500). We will confirm any of these that apply to you before they are incurred.
Key stages of the work include:
Typical timescales: a freehold purchase usually takes 8–12 weeks and a leasehold purchase 10–16 weeks from instruction to completion, though this depends on the length of the chain and other factors outside our control. New build timescales vary depending on the developer's build programme.
Our immigration fees are fixed and agreed with you in advance wherever possible, so there are no hidden charges. VAT at 20% applies to all legal fees. Home Office application fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and any translation or courier costs are payable in addition to our fees and are not included below.
| Matter | Estimated Legal Fee (exc. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Visa | £1,200 – £1,800 |
| Spouse / Partner Visa | £1,500 – £2,000 |
| Student Visa | £600 – £900 |
| Visitor Visa | £400 – £650 |
| Sponsor Licence Application | £2,500 – £4,000 |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | £1,500 – £2,500 |
| EU Settlement Scheme | £500 – £800 |
| British Citizenship / Naturalisation | £1,200 – £1,800 |
More complex matters — for example, applications involving a refusal history, a criminal record, or unusual supporting evidence — may fall outside these ranges. We will always confirm a fixed or capped fee in writing before we begin work on your matter, and this notice does not cover asylum applications.
Our service includes:
Typical timescales depend largely on Home Office processing times rather than our own, and can range from a few weeks for straightforward visitor visas to several months for sponsor licence applications or settlement matters. We will give you a realistic estimate specific to your case at the outset.
Your matter will be handled by a member of our team with relevant qualifications and experience in that area of law, working under the supervision of one of our directors. We will confirm the name, role, and experience of the person(s) responsible for your matter in your initial client care letter, along with details of who to contact if you have any questions while your matter is ongoing.
We hope you will never need to complain, but if you are unhappy with any aspect of our service, we have a clear process for putting things right. Full details of how to raise a concern, what happens next, and your right to refer a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman are set out in our Complaint Procedure.
Highwood Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), registration number 8004032. You can check our registration and the rules we are bound by at www.sra.org.uk.
Highwood Solicitors
1 George Williams Way, Colchester, CO1 2JS
Email: info@highwoodsolicitors.co.uk
Telephone: 01206 237456
Company Registration Number: 14761230