You'd think this would be a simple question with a simple answer. It usually isn't, and that's most of the problem. Here's a straight look at what conveyancing actually costs in New Zealand, what you're paying for, and why the quotes are so hard to compare.
The honest range
For a standard residential purchase, conveyancing in New Zealand typically runs $1,000 to $2,500 in legal fees, plus disbursements (the costs that get passed on, like the LIM and title searches). So the all-in figure is usually higher than the headline fee.
But that range hides a lot. Some firms quote low and bill extra for things you assumed were included. Some charge by the hour, so the final number depends on how messy the file gets. And almost none of them tell you the full picture upfront. That's why two quotes for "the same job" can look completely different.
What you're actually paying for
A conveyancing fee covers the legal work: reviewing your contract, searching the title, reading the LIM, sorting your KiwiSaver, handling the bank's documents, and settling the purchase. (If you want the full picture of the work involved, see what a conveyancer does.)
On top of the fee sit the disbursements, the real out-of-pocket costs:
| Cost | Typical amount | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Legal fee | $1,000 to $2,500 | The conveyancer's work |
| LIM report | $200 to $450 | Council property record |
| Title search | $5 to $50 | The official title from LINZ |
| Bank registration | varies | Registering your mortgage |
| Trust account / admin fees | varies | Office charges, sometimes |
The disbursements aren't the firm padding the bill, they're genuine costs. The issue is when they're not made clear upfront, so the final invoice is a surprise.
Why the quotes are so confusing
Three things make conveyancing pricing hard to pin down:
- Hourly billing. If the firm bills by time, your final cost depends on how complicated your purchase turns out to be. You don't know the number until it's done.
- "From" pricing. A quote of "from $900" tells you the floor, not the ceiling. The extras (a cross-lease, an extra mortgage, a tight timeline) get added later.
- Vague disbursements. Some quotes bundle them in, some don't, so you're not comparing like with like.
For a first-home buyer trying to budget tightly, this is genuinely stressful. You're making the biggest purchase of your life and you can't get a straight number for the legal bit.
The case for fixed pricing
This is the bit Kemba exists to fix. We charge a fixed $2,000 + GST for a standard residential purchase. You know the number before you start, not after.
Fixed pricing isn't just tidier, it changes the incentive. When the fee is fixed, there's no clock running while we read your LIM, no "that'll be extra" for a question, no surprise on the final invoice. You get the work done properly and you get a number you can actually budget around.
Disbursements like the LIM are still genuine pass-through costs (nobody can make a council LIM free), but we tell you about them upfront so there's no sting at the end.
So what should you budget?
If you're getting quotes elsewhere, budget for the legal fee plus disbursements, and ask two questions: is this fixed or hourly, and what's not included? Those two questions cut through most of the confusion.
If you'd rather skip the guessing: Kemba is $2,000 + GST, fixed, with real NZ-qualified people doing the work and a dashboard that shows you what's happening the whole way through.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a conveyancer cost in New Zealand?
For a standard residential purchase, legal fees usually range from $1,000 to $2,500, plus disbursements like the LIM report and title search. The all-in cost is typically higher than the quoted fee. Kemba charges a fixed $2,000 + GST.
What are disbursements in conveyancing?
Disbursements are the real out-of-pocket costs your conveyancer pays on your behalf and passes on, such as the council LIM report ($200 to $450), title searches, and mortgage registration. They're separate from the legal fee.
Why do conveyancing quotes vary so much?
Because firms price differently. Some bill by the hour, so the final cost depends on how complex your purchase is. Some quote a low "from" price and add extras later. And some bundle disbursements while others don't, which makes quotes hard to compare.
Is fixed-price conveyancing better?
Fixed pricing means you know the cost upfront and there's no surprise on the final invoice. It removes the incentive to bill for every question or every hour. As long as the disbursements are made clear too, it's a much easier way to budget for a first home.
Does conveyancing cost the same for a conveyancer and a lawyer?
Not necessarily. Pricing depends on the firm rather than the title, and conveyancing practitioners often cost less because they specialise in property. For a standard purchase, both do the same job. Kemba is a fixed $2,000 + GST either way.
When do I pay the conveyancing fee?
Usually at settlement, deducted from the funds passing through your conveyancer's trust account, along with the disbursements. Your conveyancer should give you a clear statement of exactly what was charged.