Buying a new build home moves faster than a standard purchase, with tight exchange deadlines, developer contracts, and a property that may not even be finished yet. Our new build conveyancing solicitors handle the legal work from reservation to completion, keeping you informed and protecting your interests at every stage.
New build conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a newly constructed property from the developer to the buyer, covering contract review, property searches, warranty checks, and registration with the Land Registry. It follows the same broad framework as a standard purchase, but with extra checks specific to properties still being built.
Whether you’re buying in Manchester, Sale, or Chester, our new build conveyancing solicitors handle these checks for you from reservation through to completion. If you’re weighing up a new build against an existing property, our guide to buying a house covers the standard process for comparison.
New build conveyancing services we offer
Developer contract review
A developer’s contract is drafted to protect the builder, not the buyer, so we review every clause before you commit. This includes checking build specifications, completion timescales, and the longstop date, the deadline by which the developer must finish the property or you can walk away and reclaim your deposit.
Property searches and planning checks
We carry out all the searches needed for a new build purchase, including local authority, water, and environmental searches, and confirm that planning permission has been granted and the build matches it. We also check whether roads, drains, and utilities on the development will be adopted by the local authority, so you’re not left liable for shared infrastructure.
Warranty and NHBC checks
Most new builds come with a 10-year structural warranty, typically through the NHBC or a similar provider. We verify this is in place and properly assigned to you before completion, so you have recourse if structural defects appear later.
Title and restrictive covenants
New build developments often carry restrictive covenants affecting extensions, business use, or parking. We check the title thoroughly and explain any restrictions in plain English before you exchange, whether the property is freehold or leasehold. If you’re buying a share of a new build property, our shared ownership solicitors page explains how that process differs.
Off-plan and plot purchases
If you’re buying off-plan or reserving a plot before the property is built, our new build solicitors work from the developer’s specification and drawings, keeping your purchase on track even when there’s no finished property to inspect yet. If this is your first purchase, we can offer addition support to first-time buyers.
Snagging and completion support
We liaise with the developer over any snagging issues identified before completion and make sure your contract includes a clear defect-reporting procedure, so problems are fixed rather than forgotten once you’ve moved in.
Whether you’re purchasing in Manchester, Sale, or Chester, our team manages every stage of the new build conveyancing process directly with the developer’s solicitors.
Our new build conveyancing process
Buying a new build follows the same fundamental stages as any purchase, but on a tighter timeline. Here’s what typically happens.
Instruct your solicitor
As soon as your offer is accepted or your reservation fee is paid, get us started. You’ll usually have around 28 days to exchange contracts, so early instruction matters.
Contract and searches
We review the developer’s contract, order property searches, and check planning permission, warranties, and road adoption agreements.
Mortgage and exchange
Once your mortgage offer is in place and our checks are complete, we exchange contracts and you pay your deposit. From this point, the purchase is legally binding.
Completion
On the agreed date, usually once the property is finished, we transfer funds, and you collect your keys, warranty documents, and any owner’s manuals.
Post-completion
We register your ownership with the Land Registry and deal with any outstanding snagging issues alongside the developer.
Why choose Slater Heelis as your new build conveyancing solicitors
Keeping pace with developer deadlines
New build purchases usually run to a strict exchange deadline, often around 28 days from reservation, and mortgage offers can expire before the property’s even finished. We chase developers and their solicitors on your behalf, so delays on their side don’t become delays on yours, and we flag early if a mortgage offer needs extending.
Thorough checks a developer’s solicitor won’t always push for
Warranty assignment, road and drainage adoption agreements, and restrictive covenants all take time to check properly, and we won’t skip them to hit a developer’s preferred timescale. If something needs querying, we’ll query it, even under pressure to move faster.
Transparent, fixed-fee pricing
We provide clear, upfront quotes with no hidden extras through our online conveyancing fee calculator. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying from day one, including any additional new build searches and Land Registry charges.
Highly rated and accredited
Our conveyancing team holds the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accreditation and is rated 4.9 out of 5 on ReviewSolicitors from more than 1,900 reviews. We’re also listed in The Times Best Law Firms 2026. That rating comes from keeping clients informed and explaining things in plain English, even when a developer is pushing for a faster exchange.
On all major lender panels
We’re approved by virtually every major UK lender, which means we can act for both you and your mortgage provider. This avoids the delays that can arise when a lender won’t accept a firm, and keeps your new build purchase moving efficiently across Manchester, Sale, Chester and the wider North West.
Buying a new build moves fast, and having a solicitor who understands developer contracts and warranty checks from the outset makes all the difference.
Our offices in Manchester, Sale, and Chester are open for face-to-face meetings, and we regularly work with clients across the UK, with meetings at other locations available by appointment.
Frequently asked questions about new build conveyancing
Do I need a solicitor for a new build purchase?
Yes. New build purchases involve developer contracts, warranty checks, and planning and adoption agreements that a standard house purchase doesn’t, making specialist legal advice essential. Most mortgage lenders also require a solicitor to act on their behalf as a condition of the loan.
What are the common steps involved in conveyancing for new build homes?
The new build conveyancing process typically involves instructing a solicitor, reviewing the developer’s contract and carrying out searches, exchanging contracts once your mortgage offer is confirmed, completing once the property is finished, and registering ownership with the Land Registry afterwards.
How much does new build conveyancing cost?
New build conveyancing can cost more than a standard purchase because of the extra checks involved, including warranty verification and developer contract review. We provide a clear, fixed-fee quote upfront through our online conveyancing fee calculator, so there are no surprises later.
How long does the new build conveyancing process take?
Timescales vary depending on whether the property is finished or still being built. For a completed new build, expect roughly 8 to 12 weeks from instruction to completion. For off-plan purchases, you may exchange within weeks but wait considerably longer for the property to be finished.
What's the difference between buying a new build and buying a resale property?
New build conveyancing involves the same fundamental stages as a resale purchase, but with additional checks specific to newly constructed properties, such as warranty assignment, planning permission compliance, and road or drainage adoption agreements. Exchange deadlines are also typically much tighter.
Do I have to use the developer's recommended solicitor?
No. You’re free to choose your own conveyancing solicitor, and doing so is usually in your best interests, since a developer-recommended solicitor may prioritise the developer’s timeline over a thorough check of your position. An independent solicitor with new build experience works solely for you.
What is a longstop date?
A longstop date is the final deadline in your contract by which the developer must complete the property. If they fail to do so, you can usually withdraw from the purchase and reclaim your deposit in full. Your solicitor should identify this date clearly before you exchange.
What happens if I find snagging issues after I move in?
Any defects identified through a snagging inspection should be reported to the developer under the defect-reporting procedure set out in your contract. Most new builds also carry a structural warranty, typically through the NHBC, giving you additional recourse if issues aren’t resolved.
Can I buy a new build without a mortgage?
Yes. New build conveyancing is required whether or not you’re using a mortgage, since it’s the legal process of transferring ownership rather than arranging finance. Without a lender involved, your own solicitor’s checks become even more important, as there’s no lender’s solicitor reviewing the transaction alongside you.
What should I do if my reservation deadline is approaching and my solicitor hasn't finished checks?
Speak to your solicitor immediately rather than letting the deadline pass. In most cases, checks can be prioritised or an extension negotiated with the developer, but this needs raising early. Instructing a solicitor as soon as your reservation fee is paid helps avoid this situation altogether.
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