Let’s find out what your closing will cost.
What do you need a real estate lawyer for?
Demo · sample quotes · nothing is sent to any firm
Tell us about the property once, and we’ll bring back sample quotes from independent real estate law firms in your province — legal fee, disbursements and tax, all in. No calls to make, nothing to sign.
- No documents needed. An address is enough to get started.
- Quotes appear on screen the moment you finish, itemized line by line.
- No obligation. It’s free to compare, and the choice of firm is yours.
How it works
One place to compare. No phone tag.
The usual way to find a real estate lawyer: call around, explain your deal three times, and wait for fee quotes that are hard to line up. We put the firms side by side instead.
Tell us about it
A few quick questions, one at a time. Start typing the address and pick it from the list — we only match you with firms that act in that province.
Compare the firms
Matching firms side by side
Matching firms side by side, lowest total first, with every line of the cost: legal fee, disbursements and tax.
mdash; the featured firm first, then lowest totalMatching firms side by side, lowest total first, with every line of the cost: legal fee, disbursements and tax.
mdash; with every line of the cost: legal fee, disbursements and tax.Choose your lawyer
Choose a firm straight from your results, or keep the link and come back later. There’s no obligation at any point.
Closing costs
What you’re actually paying for
A real estate lawyer’s bill has three parts: the legal fee, disbursements — the searches, registrations and other costs the firm pays on your behalf — and sales tax on the fee and on taxable disbursements. A low headline fee can hide a long list of extras, so compare all three.
On a purchase, two bigger costs usually go through your lawyer too: land transfer tax (or Alberta’s registration fees) and title insurance. They are not the firm’s fee, but you pay them at closing.
An illustrative Ontario purchase — not a quote. Your figures depend on the firm and the property.
- Paid to the firm
- $1,732.00
Land transfer tax and title insurance come on top of this, and are collected by your lawyer at closing. See how they differ by province below.
Ontario
13% HST on legal fees and taxable disbursements. Buyers pay Ontario land transfer tax, plus Toronto’s municipal land transfer tax for a home in the city. First-time buyers may get a refund of some or all of it.
Alberta
5% GST on legal fees and taxable disbursements. Alberta has no land transfer tax: you pay Land Titles registration fees instead, based on the property’s value and the mortgage amount.
The firms
Firms in this demo, by province
5 independent firms that act on residential real estate in Ontario and Alberta, from local offices to remote signing.
Ontario
-
Featured firm
Property Law FirmOakville and Calgary, serving all of Ontario and Alberta
-
RealEstateLawyers.ca LLP
Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga and 30+ Ontario locations
-
Cohen LLP
Toronto and Pickering
Alberta
-
Featured firm
Property Law FirmOakville and Calgary, serving all of Ontario and Alberta
-
Kahane Law Office
Calgary and Edmonton
-
Field Law
Calgary, Edmonton and Canmore
Questions
Ask us anything
Is it free to compare?
Yes. Comparing the firms on Moving Compared is free, and there is no obligation to hire any of them.
Which provinces do you cover?
Ontario and Alberta. Real estate law is provincial, so a firm has to be able to act in the province where the property is. We only show you firms that do.
Do I need a lawyer to buy or sell a home?
In Ontario and Alberta, residential closings are handled by real estate lawyers. Every firm shown here is a law firm, or a lawyer-led service, that acts on residential purchases, sales and refinances.
What does a real estate lawyer's fee include?
Usually three things: the legal fee for the work; disbursements - the title search, registration and other third-party costs the firm pays for you; and sales tax on the fee and on taxable disbursements (13% HST in Ontario, 5% GST in Alberta). Ask each firm which disbursements its price includes.
What is land transfer tax?
A tax on buying property. Ontario charges land transfer tax, with an extra municipal tax for homes in Toronto. Alberta has no land transfer tax, but charges Land Titles registration fees. Ontario offers relief for some first-time buyers. Your lawyer normally collects the tax at closing and pays it for you.
Do I need title insurance?
It is not required by law, but many lenders ask for it, and most buyers get it. It protects against problems with the title such as fraud, survey issues or unpaid work orders. Your lawyer can arrange it as part of the closing.
When should I hire a real estate lawyer?
As early as you can - ideally before you sign the purchase agreement, so the lawyer can review it. At the latest, as soon as your offer is accepted, so there is time to do the searches before closing day.
Buying or selling in Ontario or Alberta?
Free and no obligation. About sixty seconds, and no documents needed.