Which model is right for your sale?

High-street percentage agents charge nothing until completion, so the agent has strong incentive to maximise the price — valuable in a competitive market or on properties where the achievable price is unclear. Hybrid models (Purplebricks-style) split the risk: lower fixed fee, with the agent earning more if they sell quickly. Pure online is cheapest but puts most work on the seller and has lower overall completion rates. For a home likely to sell within 8-12 weeks at the asking price, online can save £3,000-£6,000. For a tricky sale, the high-street incentive-alignment is usually worth the fee.

Watch for sole-agency vs multi-agency clauses

Sole-agency contracts tie you to one agent for 8-16 weeks and are typically 0.5-1.0 percentage points cheaper than multi-agency. Multi-agency lets you list with several agents in parallel but doubles or triples the effective fee if more than one is involved. For most sales, a 10-week sole agency is the sensible default.

Frequently asked questions

Are estate agent fees negotiable?

Yes. Published high-street rates (1.5-1.8%) are an opening position — most sellers negotiate to 1.0-1.4%. Multi-property clients and high-ticket sales negotiate harder.

Do I pay VAT on top?

Yes. Standard 20% VAT applies to estate agent fees. Always check whether quoted percentages are inc or ex VAT — the difference on a £400,000 sale at 1.25% is £1,000.

When is the fee due?

On completion for high-street and hybrid models. Online packages are typically paid upfront on listing — meaning you pay even if the property doesn't sell.

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Last reviewed: 1 October 2026.