We had trouble with a solicitor in Swords when we changed houses. Despite having given us a written quote with "we guarantee your fees will not exceed this amount" at the bottom, he witheld considerably more, and stared through us when we questioned it. We did eventually get the balance back, via the Law Society, but no explanation, or appology !. ALWAYS shop around....even if you have been "with" a solicitor for years, and GET IT IN WRITING. It appears to me that the majority of them will try to get away with as much (money)as possible. Ditto for auctioneers !.