Solicitors used to undertake all conveyancing work but now there are also licensed conveyancers to do the work.

It is illegal for conveyancers who are not licensed to charge a fee for conveyancing work. You can check with the Council for Licensed Conveyancers that a named conveyancer is licensed.

It makes little difference whether you choose a solicitor or licensed conveyancer – other considerations are more important.

* Prices vary, but be wary of the very cheapest services – this might indicate poor quality. It might be worth paying a bit more for a good service. On the other hand, the most expensive is not necessarily the best.

* Look for a solicitor who is not overworked or inexperienced as this could mean important details are missed. Equally, you don't want one who is very slow or too pedantic as this could hold up the process.

* Buying a house is a stressful business, and it is important that you get on with your solicitor. Think about whether you can trust this person.

Overall, be sure to hire a solicitor or conveyancer as soon as possible in your home-buying process, so that they will be ready to step into action as soon as you have had an offer accepted - preferably as soon as you know you are likely to make an offer on a house. The faster things move, the better the chances that all will go smoothly.

Note that new government plans to speed up the selling process with the introduction of a compulsory "seller's information pack" should reduce the amount of work involved in conveyancing. See Plans for new legislation.