Compare conveyancers and property solicitors for house-and-land packages and custom builds in NSW (2026): first-cut shortlist

Quick answer: Choose a properly authorised solicitor or conveyancer who regularly handles house-and-land packages and custom builds, gives you a written itemised fee estimate, reviews the relevant risks before exchange, answers questions promptly and can escalate technical or contested issues. The ten candidates below are an initial research shortlist—not verified rankings.

Provisional directory note (31 October 2026): These are ten provisional, unranked firms for the scenario—not ten firms independently proven to be the best in NSW. Inclusion is based on documented service offerings and fit. Most professional fees have not been published, quoted or compared on like-for-like terms. A firm may appear in multiple categories. Specific practitioners' authorisation, insurance, conflicts and live availability require checking before engagement. "Best for" describes a plausible fit based on services advertised, not a verified outcome or endorsement. Commercial relationships and paid placement: Not confirmed.

Prices: A published contract-review fee is not a full conveyancing quote. The category budget is the editor's preliminary planning assumption, not an average, not a quote from the listed provider and not an independently measured NSW market rate. Allow separately for searches, government charges, stamp duty and external inspections.

Initial research shortlist · unranked

10 firms to compare

How to choose: authorisation, scope, fees and questions

Professional model

Fee evidence

NSW service area

Complexity evidence

Search firms

10 of 10 shortlist placements · no ranking order

House-and-land packages and custom builds

Editorial planning allowance — not a firm quote

Allow separately for land conveyancing (often A$1,000–A$2,500+) and a building-contract legal review (roughly A$600–A$3,000+ depending on scope); negotiations and ongoing construction advice may cost more. Editorial planning allowances only.

Interaction between land and building contracts, timing, soil/site costs, variations, progress payments, HBC insurance and stage inspections.

Provider / research status	Potential fit	Published fee / quote status	Review and complexity
Bannermans Lawyers Specialist solicitor law firm · North Sydney Provisional · Not independently verified Source record checked 2026-10-31	Potential fit · provider claims For homeowner building contracts plus complex development and defects risk	Published fee / quote status Quote required; specialist scope Not publicly verified · Source claim, not a current written quote	Review and complexity Strata defects, title structures, by-laws and complex lot-owner issues; ask about routine conveyancing scope. Land settlement scope: Not confirmed. Construction advice may require a separate engagement. What to ask this firm Who is the named practitioner, and how can I check their authorisation and PI cover? What is the total GST-inclusive fee, with searches, disbursements, PEXA and extras itemised? What is included in pre-exchange review, negotiation and written advice? How many reviews are included, what is the turnaround, and what if I do not buy? Do you review both contracts, progress payments, variations, insurance and site costs, or only construction?
Brander Smith McKnight Lawyers Construction and property law solicitors · Sydney Provisional · Not independently verified Source record checked 2026-10-31	Potential fit · provider claims For progress payments, variations, time extensions and contractual protection	Published fee / quote status Building-contract work: quote required Not publicly verified · Source claim, not a current written quote	Review and complexity Construction contracts, progress payments, delay and variation protections. Land settlement scope: Not confirmed. Construction advice may require a separate engagement. What to ask this firm Who is the named practitioner, and how can I check their authorisation and PI cover? What is the total GST-inclusive fee, with searches, disbursements, PEXA and extras itemised? What is included in pre-exchange review, negotiation and written advice? How many reviews are included, what is the turnaround, and what if I do not buy? Do you review both contracts, progress payments, variations, insurance and site costs, or only construction?
Burgess Thomson Solicitor-led law firm · Newcastle / Hunter Provisional · Not independently verified Source record checked 2026-10-31	Potential fit · provider claims For combined land conveyancing and residential building contract review	Published fee / quote status Quote required Not publicly verified · Source claim, not a current written quote	Review and complexity Property purchases, off-plan, rural and residential building contract advice. Land settlement scope: Not confirmed. Construction advice may require a separate engagement. What to ask this firm Who is the named practitioner, and how can I check their authorisation and PI cover? What is the total GST-inclusive fee, with searches, disbursements, PEXA and extras itemised? What is included in pre-exchange review, negotiation and written advice? How many reviews are included, what is the turnaround, and what if I do not buy? Do you review both contracts, progress payments, variations, insurance and site costs, or only construction?
Citilawyers Construction solicitor specialist · Sydney / NSW-wide Provisional · Not independently verified Source record checked 2026-10-31	Potential fit · provider claims For comprehensive HIA/MBA residential building contract assessment	Published fee / quote status Building-contract review: quoted fixed fee; land conveyancing separate unless confirmed Quote required · Source claim, not a current written quote	Review and complexity HIA/MBA and bespoke home building contracts, special conditions and disputes. Land settlement scope: Not confirmed. Construction advice may require a separate engagement. What to ask this firm Who is the named practitioner, and how can I check their authorisation and PI cover? What is the total GST-inclusive fee, with searches, disbursements, PEXA and extras itemised? What is included in pre-exchange review, negotiation and written advice? How many reviews are included, what is the turnaround, and what if I do not buy? Do you review both contracts, progress payments, variations, insurance and site costs, or only construction?
Contracts Specialist Construction solicitor specialist · Sydney / NSW Provisional · Not independently verified Source record checked 2026-10-31	Potential fit · provider claims For specialist, homeowner-focused fixed-fee written building-contract review	Published fee / quote status Building-contract fixed-fee review; current amount by quote Fixed-fee model published, price not verified · Source claim, not a current written quote	Review and complexity Owner-focused written HIA and other building contract analysis; land conveyancing not established. Land settlement scope: Not confirmed. Construction advice may require a separate engagement. What to ask this firm Who is the named practitioner, and how can I check their authorisation and PI cover? What is the total GST-inclusive fee, with searches, disbursements, PEXA and extras itemised? What is included in pre-exchange review, negotiation and written advice? How many reviews are included, what is the turnaround, and what if I do not buy? Do you review both contracts, progress payments, variations, insurance and site costs, or only construction?
Foresight Law Group Construction solicitor specialist · Sydney / North Parramatta Provisional · Not independently verified Source record checked 2026-10-31	Potential fit · provider claims For clear fixed-fee building contract review and negotiation	Published fee / quote status Fixed fee on quotation Fee model published, price not verified · Source claim, not a current written quote	Review and complexity Building contract clauses, review and negotiation. Land settlement scope: Not confirmed. Construction advice may require a separate engagement. What to ask this firm Who is the named practitioner, and how can I check their authorisation and PI cover? What is the total GST-inclusive fee, with searches, disbursements, PEXA and extras itemised? What is included in pre-exchange review, negotiation and written advice? How many reviews are included, what is the turnaround, and what if I do not buy? Do you review both contracts, progress payments, variations, insurance and site costs, or only construction?
Jason Francis Construction and property solicitor · Sydney / NSW Provisional · Not independently verified Source record checked 2026-10-31	Potential fit · provider claims For building-company checks and negotiation of amended building conditions	Published fee / quote status Building-contract fixed-fee review; amount by quote Fixed-fee model published, price not verified · Source claim, not a current written quote	Review and complexity Builder licence/company checks and negotiated protective building conditions. Land settlement scope: Not confirmed. Construction advice may require a separate engagement. What to ask this firm Who is the named practitioner, and how can I check their authorisation and PI cover? What is the total GST-inclusive fee, with searches, disbursements, PEXA and extras itemised? What is included in pre-exchange review, negotiation and written advice? How many reviews are included, what is the turnaround, and what if I do not buy? Do you review both contracts, progress payments, variations, insurance and site costs, or only construction?
Phontos Legal Construction solicitor specialist · Sydney Provisional · Not independently verified Source record checked 2026-10-31	Potential fit · provider claims For owners wanting support if a contract dispute later arises	Published fee / quote status Quote required Not publicly verified · Source claim, not a current written quote	Review and complexity Homeowner building contracts, variations, defects and NCAT issues. Land settlement scope: Not confirmed. Construction advice may require a separate engagement. What to ask this firm Who is the named practitioner, and how can I check their authorisation and PI cover? What is the total GST-inclusive fee, with searches, disbursements, PEXA and extras itemised? What is included in pre-exchange review, negotiation and written advice? How many reviews are included, what is the turnaround, and what if I do not buy? Do you review both contracts, progress payments, variations, insurance and site costs, or only construction?
Project Lawyers Property and construction solicitors · Sydney Provisional · Not independently verified Source record checked 2026-10-31	Potential fit · provider claims For construction work where planning, property and defects questions overlap	Published fee / quote status Quote required Not publicly verified · Source claim, not a current written quote	Review and complexity Construction contract advice plus planning, property and strata interfaces. Land settlement scope: Not confirmed. Construction advice may require a separate engagement. What to ask this firm Who is the named practitioner, and how can I check their authorisation and PI cover? What is the total GST-inclusive fee, with searches, disbursements, PEXA and extras itemised? What is included in pre-exchange review, negotiation and written advice? How many reviews are included, what is the turnaround, and what if I do not buy? Do you review both contracts, progress payments, variations, insurance and site costs, or only construction?
Roberts Crosbie Mortensen Lawyers Construction solicitor specialist · Newcastle / Sydney Provisional · Not independently verified Source record checked 2026-10-31	Potential fit · provider claims For complex HIA/MBA contracts, statutory warranties and construction-management issues	Published fee / quote status Building-contract review: quote required Not publicly verified · Source claim, not a current written quote	Review and complexity Home-building contracts, variations and defects; confirm land conveyancing separately. Land settlement scope: Not confirmed. Construction advice may require a separate engagement. What to ask this firm Who is the named practitioner, and how can I check their authorisation and PI cover? What is the total GST-inclusive fee, with searches, disbursements, PEXA and extras itemised? What is included in pre-exchange review, negotiation and written advice? How many reviews are included, what is the turnaround, and what if I do not buy? Do you review both contracts, progress payments, variations, insurance and site costs, or only construction?

Data currency: supplied research dated 31 October 2026. Models, locations and specialist filters reflect advertised wording, not checked scope. No purely licensed-conveyancer model is confirmed in this first cut. Before engagement, obtain a current written quote and check the named practitioner.

Why house-and-land and custom builds need two kinds of legal review

Many marketed house-and-land packages involve a land sale and a separate building contract, sometimes with different counterparties. Other turnkey or completed products use different structures; establish which applies. The key is ensuring both contracts work together, so a failure or delay under one does not leave you committed under the other. A conveyancer may handle the land transfer while a construction lawyer examines HIA/MBA or bespoke building terms, site costs, progress payments, extensions of time, variations, insurance, defect liability and termination.

Independent construction-stage inspections are a separate expert engagement. The NSW Government suggests considering an independent building consultant or architect before progress payments, with charges for each inspection. Inspections should be scheduled to inspect important work before it is concealed; the chosen stages must suit the contract, design and accessibility.

Top three buyer questions: “Will one solicitor review BOTH contracts and align their deadlines?”; “Who checks builder licensing and HBC insurance before any payment?”; “Who negotiates variations, progress-payment triggers and completion remedies?”

Ten NSW firms to compare (unranked provisional shortlist)

Category cost-planning allowance: Allow separately for land conveyancing (often A$1,000–A$2,500+) and a building-contract legal review (roughly A$600–A$3,000+ depending on scope); negotiations and ongoing construction advice may cost more. Editorial planning allowances only.

The five things to compare before choosing

1. Have they done a purchase like mine? Ask for examples of relevant files and who personally reviews the contract.
2. What is the complete bill? Ask for professional fees, searches, registration and electronic settlement separately, plus exclusions and when extra hourly charges begin.
3. Will they review contracts while I search? Ask whether reviews are provider-advertised no-charge (not confirmed), capped, credited on settlement or charged even if you never buy.
4. Will someone answer before deadlines? Ask for a named point of contact and realistic auction/exchange turnaround.
5. What happens when something unusual is found? Ask if they give written advice, negotiate protections and can involve construction, strata or planning lawyers when necessary.

How to verify a solicitor or licensed conveyancer

Check a named solicitor on the Law Society of NSW Register, or a licensed conveyancer through the Service NSW licence search. Confirm the person responsible, practising status, insurance, scope and potential conflicts; a firm's business website is not an independent licence check.

Frequently asked questions

Does house-and-land always mean two contracts?

No. Many packages involve separate land and build contracts, but turnkey and other structures differ. Check the exact counterparties and contracts.

Is reviewing a land contract the same as reviewing a building contract?

No. Land conveyancing and construction-contract risk allocation are different tasks; one provider may not cover both.

Do I need HBC insurance in NSW?

Eligible residential building work above A$20,000 including GST generally requires Home Building Compensation cover before taking payment or starting work; check the policy and exemptions.

When should I arrange stage building inspections?

Plan inspections around critical milestones with the builder and inspector, ideally before work is covered and before relevant progress payments.

Can a solicitor control variations and delays?

A solicitor can negotiate contractual rights and advise on disputes, but cannot physically supervise the build unless a different service is separately arranged.

Official sources and further reading

• NSW Government guidance
• Solicitor register
• Licensed conveyancer register
• Main directory

Methodology: Firms are selected because provider websites describe relevant service capability. They are not performance-ranked. Fee statements are provider-advertised as at 31 October 2026, not individualized quotes. Review counts, licensing and outcome quality have not been independently audited. Seek a written scope and confirm practitioner status before engagement.