Conveyancing for a standard residential purchase or sale in NSW usually costs $1,500 to $3,000 in total once searches and settlement charges are added. The professional fee is only one part; searches, PEXA and NSW Land Registry fees sit on top, and transfer duty is a separate government tax.
At City Peak Conveyancing, our professional fee for a standard residential purchase or sale starts from $2,200 including GST ($2,000 plus GST). You get a written, itemised quote before you sign anything, so the number you budget for is the number you pay.
What makes up a conveyancing bill in NSW
Every conveyancing bill in NSW has three parts. Comparing quotes only works when you compare all three.
| Part | What it is | Who it goes to | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional fee | Your conveyancer's work: contract review, advice, searches, finance and settlement | Your conveyancer | $800 to $2,500 |
| Disbursements | Searches, certificates and electronic settlement charges | Councils, NSW LRS, PEXA, search providers | $300 to $700 |
| Government charges | Transfer and mortgage registration, transfer duty | NSW Land Registry Services, Revenue NSW | Registration a few hundred dollars; duty usually far more |
Two current examples show how fixed some of these costs are. PEXA charges $146.30 including GST for a single-title transfer with financial settlement (as at 1 July 2026). NSW Land Registry Services charges $182.73 to lodge a transfer and the same again for a mortgage in 2026-27. No conveyancer can discount those; they are passed through at cost.
What the professional fee should cover
A proper professional fee covers the legal work from first look to the keys. For a buyer, that means:
- Reviewing the contract and its special conditions before you exchange, and explaining them in plain English
- Ordering and checking searches, including title, the section 10.7 planning certificate and strata records where relevant
- Advising on the cooling off period and section 66W certificates
- Working with your lender and broker on finance and mortgage documents
- Calculating adjustments for council rates, water and strata levies
- Lodging transfer duty and any first home buyer concessions
- Running settlement on PEXA and confirming registration of the transfer
For a seller, the fee covers preparing the contract for sale with all required attachments, answering the buyer's requisitions, discharging your mortgage and settling.
What a $700 quote usually leaves out
Low headline quotes are common in NSW, and some are genuine. Many are not the full price. Before you accept one, check whether it includes:
- Searches: often quoted separately, adding $300 to $700
- PEXA and settlement fees: sometimes listed as an extra
- Contract review before exchange: some firms charge it as a separate item, or only review after you are already committed
- Strata matters: strata reports and extra enquiries for apartments are often excluded
- Off the plan, deceased estate or duplex sales: these usually attract a surcharge on budget quotes
- Extra work after exchange: delays, notices to complete and changes to settlement dates can be billed by the hour
- Who does the work: a low fee can mean a high-volume team where you deal with a different person each time
The question to ask is simple: "What is the total I will pay, including searches and settlement, if nothing unusual happens? And what would make it go up?" A good conveyancer answers both in writing.
Worked example: buying a house in Bankstown
Here is what a typical purchase looks like for a buyer with a home loan. Figures are illustrative; your quote will be itemised for your property.
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| City Peak professional fee | From $2,200 inc GST |
| Searches and certificates (title, s10.7 planning certificate, land tax, sewer diagram) | $300 to $500 |
| PEXA settlement fee | $146.30 |
| NSW LRS transfer registration | $182.73 |
| NSW LRS mortgage registration | $182.73 |
| Conveyancing total (before duty) | About $3,000 to $3,200 |
| Transfer duty on a $1.1 million house | More than $40,000 (use the Revenue NSW calculator) |
The point of the example is proportion. On a $1.1 million purchase, the difference between a $900 and a $2,200 professional fee is about 0.1% of the price. One missed special condition, flood notation or strata levy can cost far more.
Buying vs selling: how the costs differ
Buyers and sellers pay for different work, so their bills look different.
| Buying | Selling | |
|---|---|---|
| Main work | Contract review, searches, finance, duty, settlement | Preparing the contract, attachments, requisitions, mortgage discharge |
| Searches | Buyer orders checks on the property | Seller supplies certificates that must be attached to the contract |
| Government charges | Transfer and mortgage registration, transfer duty | Discharge of mortgage registration |
| Strata property | Strata report and levy checks | Strata certificates for the contract |
| Typical total (excluding duty) | $1,500 to $3,000 | $1,200 to $2,500 |
Is transfer duty part of the conveyancing fee?
No. Transfer duty, often called stamp duty, is a NSW Government tax paid to Revenue NSW. Your conveyancer calculates and lodges it, but the money is not part of their fee.
First home buyers may pay no duty or reduced duty, depending on the price and property type. We check your eligibility as part of every purchase and apply the concession through the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme where it applies.
When conveyancing costs more
Some matters need more work, and a fair quote says so up front. Expect a higher fee for:
- Off the plan purchases: longer timelines, sunset dates and variations to review
- Deceased estate sales: probate and executor authority need checking before the contract goes out
- Duplex and subdivision sales: new titles, easements and Torrens title registration
- Family transfers: duty exemptions and lender consent
- Disputes and delays: notices to complete, rescission or a failed settlement
Why we don't compete on the cheapest price
City Peak Conveyancing is a small, principal-led practice. Marcelino Assaf handles your matter from contract to settlement, and you can call him directly.
We would rather quote an honest total than a low headline. If your matter is simple, our quote says so. If something in your contract needs attention, you hear about it before exchange, not after.
We act for buyers and sellers across Canterbury-Bankstown, including Bankstown, Padstow, Revesby, Panania and Picnic Point, Milperra and Condell Park and Punchbowl and Greenacre, and across NSW.
How to get an accurate quote
- Send us the address and whether you are buying or selling.
- Tell us the property type: house, apartment, townhouse, off the plan or vacant land.
- If you have a contract, send it. We can quote more precisely and flag anything unusual.
- We reply with an itemised quote, usually the same business day.
Common questions
FAQs
How much does a conveyancer cost in NSW?
Most NSW buyers and sellers pay $1,500 to $3,000 in total for a standard residential matter, including the professional fee, searches and settlement charges. Transfer duty is extra and paid to Revenue NSW.
Is a conveyancer cheaper than a property lawyer in NSW?
Often, yes. Licensed conveyancers specialise in property transactions, and many charge less than law firms for standard sales and purchases. For disputes or complex legal issues, a solicitor may be needed.
Do I pay conveyancing fees upfront?
Usually not in full. Many conveyancers take a small amount for searches early and collect the balance at settlement from the settlement funds.
Are conveyancing fees tax deductible?
Not for your own home. For an investment property they generally form part of the cost base for capital gains tax. Ask your accountant.
What are disbursements in conveyancing?
Disbursements are third-party costs your conveyancer pays on your behalf, such as title searches, council certificates and PEXA fees. They are passed through at cost.
Why do conveyancing quotes vary so much in NSW?
NSW does not set a standard fee, and firms include different items in their headline price. Compare the total, not the first number.
City Peak Conveyancing acts on NSW property only. This page is general information, not advice about your circumstances.