Conveyancing Fees Victoria: Don’t Get Caught by a Dodgy Quote
/We Get the Calls Every Week…
"Hi, I’ve just been quoted $495 for conveyancing—can you beat that?"
Our team hears this almost daily. But once we ask a few basic questions, it becomes clear that the quote they received isn’t for conveyancing. It’s for a piece of the job. Maybe it’s just a Section 32 disclosure document. Maybe it's just lodging paperwork. Or maybe it's a loss-leading figure that doesn't include out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements, government charges—or any of the real work required for a compliant transaction.
If you’re not comparing apples with apples, you’re setting yourself up to be stung later.
What Should Conveyancing Fees Actually Cover?
At Victorian Property Settlements, our quotes reflect the full scope of your matter, which often includes:
Drafting and reviewing the Section 32 and contract of sale
Conducting property and title searches
Managing critical dates (finance approval, settlement, etc.)
Handling electronic settlement via PEXA
Liaising with banks, brokers, agents, and other legal representatives
Providing tailored advice if you're using a trust, SMSF, or doing a related-party transaction
Disbursements and Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Not Optional
Here’s the truth: conveyancing fees alone are just part of the equation. On top of that, you'll usually face:
Government fees (stamp duty, land transfer fee, verification of identity fees)
Electronic lodgement and PEXA gateway fees
Bank charges (mortgage discharge, title production, new mortgage setup)
Council and water rate adjustments
Costs for building certificates, planning checks, and owners corporation records (if applicable)
Some firms leave these off their quotes to make their price look attractive. We include them up front or split them out clearly so there are no surprises.
The Danger of “One-Price-Fits-All” Quotes
No two conveyancing matters are the same. Just a few examples that can drastically affect time, risk and fees:
Buying in a trust or SMSF structure
Off-the-plan purchases with extended timelines and sunset clauses
Related party transfers which often require legal declarations and additional documentation
Complex settlement terms, caveats, vendor delays or rezoning issues
Multiple parties with different instructions or decision-making authority
These require a deeper understanding, not a shallow quote.
Here’s How We Do It Differently
Instead of guessing a number, we:
Speak with you directly and ask the right questions
Identify potential complexity early—so you're not caught off guard
Explain every fee, including government and bank charges
Provide a detailed breakdown so you know exactly what you’re paying for
Because that’s what professional conveyancing looks like.
See our main page regarding fees
Don’t Get Caught by Dodgy Operators
We’ve seen the aftermath too often: disappointed buyers or sellers who thought they got a bargain, only to be hit with hidden charges, settlement delays or poor service.
Remember:
“A $500 conveyancer who misses a $5,000 issue doesn’t save you money—they cost you thousands.”
Want a Quote That Actually Reflects Your Needs?
Call us. We’ll walk through your scenario and give you a real answer. Not a bait-and-switch. Not a magic number. A proper quote—based on decades of experience and a commitment to doing the job properly.
Victorian Property Settlements – Trusted for over 25 years by Victorian buyers and sellers.
📍 Based in Frankston | 🌐 www.victorianpropertysettlements.com.au