Estate agents are the most influential source of instruction when appointing a conveyancer, as 32% of homebuyers in the last two years found their conveyancer through an estate agent’s recommendation, Lyons Bowe Solicitors has found.

The firm’s latest survey found that personal recommendations continue to play a major role, as 25% of buyers discovered their conveyancer following a recommendation from family or friends, which Lyons Bowe said underlines the importance of "strong customer service and efficient processes".

In comparison, 19% of buyers used online searches to find conveyancers, as the firm suggested that personal and professional referrals are seen as more influential than independent online research when it comes to initial discovery.

While 40% said they considered more than one conveyancer before choosing a provider, 38% of survey respondents said a referral or recommendation was the biggest factor in their decision. In contrast, 20% said price was the primary influence, while 11% based their decision on online reviews.

Lyons Bowe said its finding comes at a "challenging time" for the UK housing market, after the Zoopla house price index revealed that annual homebuyer demand has dropped by 10%, driven by a decline in first-time buyers.

It stated that against this backdrop, conveyancing firms may be facing softer demand and are looking for new ways to generate business.

The solicitor firm has suggested that maintaining strong relationships with estate agents may be the most effective route to securing instructions.

Managing director at Lyons Bowe Solicitors, Paul Lyons, said: "Referrals from estate agents continue to play a hugely important role in how buyers choose a conveyancer, particularly in a more subdued market where firms are competing harder for every instruction.

"That’s why it’s so important for conveyancers to invest time in building and maintaining strong relationships with local agents. Estate agents want to recommend firms they trust to deliver a reliable, efficient service that reflects positively on them and helps transactions progress smoothly.

"But securing the instruction is only part of the job. Once a client comes on board, firms then have to deliver a level of service that encourages future recommendations from friends and family, because word-of-mouth remains incredibly powerful in this sector."

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