13 Things You Should Ask Your Conveyancer Before the Question of Price

If you’ve found a property you love—or you're getting ready to sell—your first instinct might be to call around and ask, “How much do you charge?” But if that’s the first question you ask a conveyancer, you’re already missing the point.

As David Dawn, Licensed Conveyancer at Victorian Property Settlements, explains:

“The right conveyancer will protect your interests, spot red flags, and help you avoid disasters before they happen. But you can’t judge that from a dollar figure alone. First, ask what you’re actually getting for your money.”

Here are 13 questions you should ask before you even get to the price:

1. Do you offer a full contract review before I sign?

A thorough contract review is your first and best defence. In Victoria, once you sign a contract, your ability to walk away is limited. Many buyers don’t realise that a quick read isn’t enough—contracts can hide clauses that are unfair, inaccurate, or outright dangerous. This ensures your conveyancer isn’t just processing documents, but protecting you from the start.

2. What issues do you commonly find in contracts?

You want insight, not just a yes/no. An experienced conveyancer can list examples like unreasonable conditions, hidden indemnities, or missing disclosure about building works. If they can’t rattle off a few real-world examples, they’re probably not looking hard enough.

3. How do you communicate with clients?

Will you get timely, plain-English updates—or will you be chasing them around? Ask whether they return calls, email updates regularly, and give you one direct point of contact. It’s the difference between clarity and chaos.

4. What’s your experience with properties like mine?

Every property is different. Strata titles, SMSF purchases, deceased estates, rural land, and off-the-plan units all come with unique issues. You want someone who’s handled your kind of property before—recently, and often.

5. Will you handle everything personally, or is it delegated to junior staff?

If you're doing your homework on who to use, this is key. Some firms hand the file to a junior or even offshore staff. You want the licensed, experienced person you hired to be the one handling your matter—not someone learning on your time.

6. Do you act for both parties in the same transaction?

In almost all cases, the answer should be no. Dual representation creates a conflict. At Victorian Property Settlements, we only act for both sides in related-party transfers—like between family members—and only with informed consent. Otherwise, we’re on your side only.

7. What conditions should I consider adding to the contract?

You want a conveyancer who proactively recommends clauses, not just fills in blanks. Building inspections, finance, clean handover, tenantability—and if you plan to lease the property, protection around rental minimum standards is critical.
👉 Read: Minimum Rental Standards in Victoria – What To Do Before You Buy

8. Can you assist if I’m buying through an SMSF or trust?

SMSF purchases are governed by strict tax, super, and lending laws. You need someone who knows what a bare trust is and how LRBA loans work.
👉 Read: Can My SMSF Buy Property? The Rules in Victoria

9. What experience do you have with zoning, overlays, and planning restrictions?

Zoning and overlays can restrict your plans—even your ability to renovate or remove trees. David Dawn brings real-world planning experience, having chaired Frankston’s first planning scheme.
👉 About David
👉 Read: Stop and Look – That Tree or Fence Could Stop Your Development

10. Can you help me with duty, GST, and withholding tax issues?

We don’t give tax advice—but we do help spot hidden tax traps: GST clauses, stamp duty declarations, and foreign resident withholding issues. We also uncover financial risks buried in contracts that others miss.

11. Do you handle settlements through PEXA—and do you do this in-house or outsource it?

Outsourced settlements are risky. At Victorian Property Settlements, we manage all PEXA work in-house. You’ll know who’s pressing the button—and that they know your file inside out.

12. What’s your process if the other side breaches the contract?

This is where many conveyancers fall short. We issue formal breach notices, enforce the contract, and protect your rights. We’re not trying to keep agents or vendors happy.

Everyone except our clients usually hates us—and we’re absolutely OK with that.
👉 Read: You Need Someone On Your Side

13. What is included—and not included—in your service?

Some quotes sound cheap because they don’t include the real work. Will they handle the bank? Follow up the other side? Chase certificates? Ask what’s excluded—because surprises here are never good ones.

Final Thought:
Thirteen might just be your lucky number—especially when it comes to finding a conveyancer who’s genuinely on your side.

Need help with a Victorian property transaction?
Victorian Property Settlements – Trusted for over 25 years by Victorian buyers and sellers.
Visit: www.victorianpropertysettlements.com.au