How much does conveyancing cost in BC?
A plain-language guide to legal fees, disbursements, taxes, and the assumptions that can change a quote.
What a closing quote actually covers
A BC conveyancing quote bundles several different things, and they are not all the provider's pay. A clear quote separates the professional fee (the lawyer's or notary's charge for their work) from disbursements (out-of-pocket costs such as title searches, Land Title Office registration, tax certificates, strata documents, and courier or software fees) and from government taxes that the provider simply collects and remits.
Because those buckets are so different, the single number at the bottom of a quote can be misleading on its own. The most useful quote spells out what work is included, what the provider assumed about your file, and which items could move if the transaction turns out to be more complex than expected.
Taxes are usually the biggest number, and not the legal fee
On most purchases, the largest line is Property Transfer Tax, not the provider's fee. It is calculated on the purchase price and paid to the province at completion. First-time buyers and buyers of newly built homes may qualify for an exemption or reduction, so it is worth asking your provider whether you qualify and confirming the current thresholds.
Newly built or substantially renovated homes can also attract GST, while typical resale homes usually do not. Title insurance, if you or your lender want it, is another separate cost. Lumping these together with the professional fee is the most common reason a quote looks higher or lower than it really is.
Why two quotes for the same deal can differ
One provider may fold communication, lender coordination, remote signing, and post-closing reporting into the quoted scope. Another may show a lower professional fee but leave several of those items as exclusions or possible add-ons that surface later.
File details matter too. A strata unit, a tight completion date, a private mortgage, or a corporate buyer can each change the work required, so two honest quotes can land in different places simply because they assumed different things.
How to compare quotes fairly
Line the quotes up by category: professional fee, estimated disbursements, tax treatment, exclusions, expiry date, and service model. Comparing fee-to-fee and exclusion-to-exclusion is far more revealing than comparing two bottom-line totals.
Then weigh the things a number cannot show, such as responsiveness and whether the provider seems comfortable with your type of file. Setlume is built to make these assumptions visible so you are not pushed into a lowest-price-only decision.
Quick checklist
- Confirm the quote includes lender instructions and Land Title Office registration.
- Check that Property Transfer Tax, GST, and title insurance are shown separately from the fee.
- Ask which items are excluded and what would turn them into add-ons.
- Confirm whether remote signing is available and whether it changes the price.
- Note the quote's expiry date and any rush-fee assumptions.
- Ask how disbursements are estimated and whether they can change.
Common questions
Is the lowest conveyancing quote always the best choice?
Not always. A lower fee can reflect a narrower scope, different communication expectations, or assumptions that do not match your file. The cheapest quote and the best-fitting quote are not always the same one.
Is Property Transfer Tax part of the legal fee?
No. It is a government tax the provider collects and remits on your behalf. It is usually the largest line on a purchase, but it is not money the provider keeps.
Why does Setlume ask for detailed transaction information?
Providers can only quote accurately when they know the transaction type, property type, lender, location, timing, and any complexity flags. Better detail in means a more reliable quote out.
Will a strata property or a rushed closing cost more?
It can. Strata files involve extra documents to review, and tight timelines can require faster coordination, so providers may reflect that in their fee or assumptions.
Setlume provides comparison and intake support only. It does not provide legal advice.
Keep reading
Related guides
Understand common differences in service scope and when a file may need legal advice.
Read the guideTransaction type, timing, lenders, property type, and complexity flags can all shape the estimate.
Read the guideA step-by-step overview of the closing process after your offer is accepted.
Read the guide