Managing properties and construction in London is rarely smooth-sailing. There are complex contracts, strict regulations, and the risk of a developer that just disappears mid-way (trust me, I’ve heard too many horror stories!).
One wrong clause and a simple miscommunication can lead to costly damages. But with an experienced construction lawyer by your side, you can protect your interests, manage disputes, and ensure every agreement stands up in court if it needs to.
We’ve done the research, spoken to clients, and reviewed local firms to find the best construction law firms the city has to offer. These experts help keep your projects – and sanity – intact from start to finish.
How much does it cost to hire a construction lawyer in London?
The cost of hiring a construction lawyer in London ranges from £200 to £566 per hour. Rates depend on the lawyer’s experience, the complexity of the case, and the pricing structure of the firm.
How we chose the best construction lawyers in London
- Experience and expertise: We looked into each firm’s years of experience in construction law and background in areas like contract disputes, project delays, and construction defects.
- Communication and client support: We assessed how approachable and transparent each firm was in communicating with clients, from explaining legal processes to providing timely updates throughout a case.
- Cost and fee structure: We looked into the transparency and fairness of each firm’s pricing. We evaluated whether they have flexible payment options like hourly rates, fixed fees, or conditional fee agreements.
- Success rate: We analysed each firm’s track record in achieving favourable results for their clients. We reviewed case studies and settlements to see how effectively they handled complex disputes.
1. Boodle Hatfield LLP
Location: 240 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8NW, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7629 7411
Opening Hours: Thursday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Boodle Hatfield LLP’s legal team has worked with a diverse range of clients, including developers, owners, investors, and purchasers across London and the UK.
The range of services is also good. They provide full project lifecycle support, from early-stage procurement advice to dispute management.
We particularly find their expertise in the Building Safety Act (BSA) valuable, ensuring compliance for residential and commercial developments. Through this, clients get risk assessments that reduce exposure to potential disputes.
When it comes to cases, they have extensive experience in construction dispute resolution. This includes High Court litigation, mediation, and adjudication.
According to clients, the approach is pragmatic and commercial, often offering financially strategic solutions. They also highlighted how grounded and easy to understand their legal recommendations are.
The firm focuses on high-value and complex projects, which means smaller-scale clients might find their services unfitting and out of budget for their needs.
Senior solicitors are often quickly booked too. It’s advised to consult with the firm to find a suitable lawyer if availability becomes an issue.
Went above and beyond
“I would like to mention the professionalism and commitment of the entire team of Boodle Hatfield LLP. The team have always been very helpful and pleasant. They have always gone above and beyond of what was expected and has always put their clients best interests first. Business people would be extremely satisfied with their experience from start to finish. Shaima Jillood is one of the best solicitors I have worked with.”
– Umed Sharifi, Google Review
Easy to work with
“It’s always a pleasure working with David & Nick at Boodle, extremely efficient, practical, pragmatic, commercial & easy to work with.”
– Robert Jackson, Google Review
2. Taylor Rose
Location: 69 Carter Ln
Contact: +44 20 3540 4444
Opening Hours: Thursday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Taylor Rose’s team is led by specialist solicitors who have over 14 years of experience. The firm advises clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters, from contract drafting to dispute resolution.
We liked how comprehensive their services are. They’re able to handle every stage of construction projects. This all-in-one service makes them a reliable option for developers, contractors, and property owners.
One of their strongest offerings is their success rate, particularly in high-value adjudications. One example includes a £1 million cladding defects case. Case studies like this further prove their efficiency in handling construction disputes.
As for less complex services (home sale and purchase, for example), they’re smooth and proactive. According to some clients, the team was able to intervene quickly, often resolving issues within 24 to 48 hours.
While they’re generally personable with communication, we did notice a few reports of slow communication, which led to delays with specific solicitors. This isn’t the norm, though; these are occasional lapses due to external factors.
Made clients feel at ease
“We worked with Suzanne and Alix for the recent sale and purchase of our home. From the initial reach out, their communication was clear and efficient. They were both very personable and made me feel at ease during what is usually quite a stressful process. I would highly recommend them and if I ever look to sell again, I would not hesitate to reach out to them. Thank you both so much!”
– Cassie Oneill, Google Review
Excellent service
“Joanne Mitchell and team at Taylor Rose were excellent in handling the recent sale of a cottage, and purchase of an apartment for my father in Stony Stratford, Bucks. I can recommend them highly.”
– Paul D, Google Review
3. Fenwick Elliott LLP
Location: Aldwych House, 71-91 Aldwych
Contact: +44 20 7421 1986
Opening Hours: Thursday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fenwick Eilliot is one of the UK’s largest specialist construction and energy law firms, focusing exclusively on construction, engineering, and energy projects. This allows them to provide solutions for large-scale projects like transport and infrastructure.
One of their best advantages is their global experience. The firm has advised on projects in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Korea.
Their experience in these regions includes cross-border disputes, contracts, and procurement matters. That said, we see them as a good choice for multinational contractors and public authorities.
Their track record further proves their credibility. For example, they’ve represented clients in multi-million-pound cases such as airport redevelopment disputes and cladding defect adjudications.
Based on client stories, we can infer that their communication is excellent. Advice is clear and practical, often designed to minimise disruptions to ongoing projects.
Because of their speciality, it’s no surprise that their fees are high, ideal only for large corporate institutions and government clients. Small contractors may be better off working with another firm that suits their budgets.
Best law firm ever
“What a great fantastic company. What would we do without their amazing USB drives thanks to them. The original Xbox has been successfully modified Best law firm ever!”
– Joshua Connelly, Google Review
Top tier.
“Top tier.”
– Rohan Davids, Google Review
4. Brett Wilson
Location: 35-37 St John’s Ln
Contact: +44 20 7183 8950
Opening Hours: Thursday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Brett Wilson is best known for handling a wide range of complex cases, from defamation and harassment matters to high-value construction disputes.
The range of legal services is comprehensive, so we’re confident they can offer end-to-end support, from consultation to court representation. Offerings include commercial litigation and criminal and regulatory defence.
For clients who value cost among others, this firm is definitely a great choice. According to clients, the billing process is transparent, even refunding fees when final costs were lower than expected. The rates are just within the city’s median, too.
The consultation approach is also in our favour, as it’s client-centred and empathetic. They take the time to go through the case’s strengths, weaknesses, and legal implications.
This helps clients make informed, confident decisions, often leading to favourable results.
If there’s one thing to keep in mind, it’s that there were a few dissatisfied clients who felt their cases were not taken forward or were misjudged. It’s important to also take note, however, that the choice of representation also depends on unique circumstances.
Confident and extremely experienced
“Today, was the second time Lauren showed her passion for her job in my presence. She is confident and extremely experienced. It is amazing to witness the dedication she has for her profession. Having her representing my grandson, completely put my mind at ease. I was not even nervous because I knew she will be able to pull it off. And WOW, she never disappoint.”
– I7 _ ICY, Google Review
Professional, accurate, and extremely helpful
“Vicky L. was incredibly responsive — I reached out very late at night and she was able to assist me promptly the next morning 8 am. Her advice was professional, accurate, and extremely helpful. Highly recommended and I would use Brett Wilson service again.”
– P Chan, Google Review
5. JMW Solicitors LLP
Location: King’s House, 36-37 King St
Contact: +44 20 3675 7600
Opening Hours: Thursday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
JMW Solicitors offers a full-service law firm model with strong conveyancing and real estate credentials. This means clients can benefit from in-house expertise across many legal areas rather than needing to hire other professionals.
We love that they clearly emphasise transparency in fees. They provide upfront breakdowns of legal work, searches, and other related fees. This reduces the risks of unexpected costs, which is always a major advantage.
Looking through their track record, they seem well-equipped to handle more complex property transactions, including high-rise leaseholds and tight deadlines for stamp-duty relief.
What makes them stand out in their approach to these cases is their communication. According to clients, they’re never left guessing at every stage. Instead, they get regular updates, so they know exactly how to move forward without complicated results.
As with all large firms, client experience may vary depending on the solicitor assigned, though we are confident in the credibility of them all. You may also just experience a bit of delay with setting initial appointments due to high demand.
Smart and easy to communicate with
“Golly and Thatiksha were fantastic! So responsive, smart and easy to communicate with. Our purchase was complicated and we felt totally confident in Golly and supported by her every step of the way. I cannot recommend JMW enough.”
– Thelauraaikman, Google Review
Kept consistent contact
“Rhia has been fantastic helping us purchase as first time buyers. She kept consistent contact and helped explain the process due to our lack of knowledge. We have been very satisfied with the service of JMW as a whole as well.”
– William Newmarch, Google Review
