Nothing can save you more time in the kitchen than the best food processor. These handy home choppers can slice, chop, grate, and even mix homemade dough hands-free. Food processors come with sharp blades to slice through onions, carrots or avocados in seconds, and they often have pulse settings that can be used to make dips like hummus or guacamole. Each and every one of the best food processors in our guide has been tested by the Ideal Home team for even chopping, ease of use, and (of course) the cleaning process after you’re done. Although some food processors do take up a lot of counter space, especially the ones with attachments for blending or even juicing, others will slot easily next to your toaster until you need it.

The right one for you will depend on your cooking preferences. We’ve tried some masterful and mighty models from Kenwood and Sage that will last for years to come, and are perfect for family-sized meals, but some of the smaller options from Magic Bullet and Russell Hobbs will do more than enough to keep smaller households happy. A lot of these come with attachments to double up as the best blenders, but if you already have a blender you love and just want a food processor, we’ve included those too.

The best food processor won’t need smart modes to make life easier, but you will benefit from having more than one speed to choose from. One of our top picks from Ninja has specific modes to chop and mix, whereas the Kenwood food processor has up to 8 speeds for you to choose from. If you want something a little smaller, take a look at our guide to the best mini choppers.

Best food processors 2022

1. Ninja BN650UK Food Processor with Auto-iQ

Best food processor overall

Capacity: 2.1 litres
Attachments: Reversible shredding/slicing disc, dough blade, chopping blade
Reasons to buy:

• Good value
• Smart pre-sets
• Double stacked chopping blade

Reasons to avoid:

• None!

The Ninja BN650UK Food Processor is our top pick for powerful food chopping, and it costs under £100. The 2.1 litre bowl may be smaller than some, but the double-stacked blades ensure that every ounce of space is used well and that there’s no uneven chopping.

There is also a dough blade that can be used to make pastry or cookie dough, and the reversible slicing blade will also grate anything from cheese to carrot.

With four pre-sets (chop, puree, slice, and mix) and three manual speeds, you can make the most of a selection of settings with the touch of a button. Everything is also dishwasher-safe, making cleaning up as straightforward as possible.

850 watts of power will crush through all sorts of ingredients, and we found that it was easy to add an onion and watch it chop for a few seconds, completely hands-free. By the end, everything had been evenly sliced by the stainless steel blades.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

2. Kenwood MultiPro Express Food Processor

Best food processor for value

Capacity: 3 litres
Attachments: Blender, slicing, dough blade, dicing, citrus press, dual whisk
Reasons to buy:

• The in-built scales make life so much easier
• Lots of attachments included
• Great range of blades

Reasons to avoid:

• Works best with smaller capacities

Multi by name and by nature, if you want a food processor that handles almost every part of your prep, this is it. The MultiPro Express Food Processor comes with a huge amount of functionality and kit – so there’s a tool for almost any food preparation job, but you’ll have to find somewhere to put it all.

As well as built-in scales and a weighing plate, it comes with several slicing and grating discs, knife blade, dough blade, whisk, folding tool, mini bowl, grinder, blender jug and even a citrus press for on-demand OJ.

It has a  three-litre main bowl – with the option of a ‘mini’ 1.6-litre bowl that fits inside. Although the chopping bowl is quite large we found that it struggled when filled above half way, with anything above this point struggling to reach the blades.

There is an incremental speed dial for processing plus a pulse. The range of blades will suit both the keen chef and those who like to batch cook. An extra-wide feed tube accommodated every vegetable without much chopping beforehand. Other features of note are a 30-minute eco mode, and a storage box for the blades, ensuring that they stay as sharp as possible.

The whisk tool and folding tool are especially clever in design – both slot onto the spindle in the centre of the bowl and work with the lid in place – meaning that the contents are whipped or mixed without any worktop mess. It’s quick too – our egg whites took less than a couple of minutes to form firm peaks.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

3. Cuisinart Easy Prep Pro Blender

Best food processor for everyday use

Capacity: 1.9 litres
Attachments: 2 chopping blades, fine & medium grating/slicing disc, recipe book
Reasons to buy:

• It’s reasonably priced
• A great space-saver
• Lightweight enough to store easily
• Even slicing and grating

Reasons to avoid:

• Not as multi-functional as some of the other food processors out there

Striking the balance between practical and versatile isn’t the most straightforward thing for a food processor to do – extra accessories often find their way to the back of a cupboard. For busy households, it makes sense to have a machine that can tick off the basics – blending, slicing, grating, chopping and mixing – while being powerful enough to handle a variety of foods.

The Easy Prep Pro answers this need nicely – it’s more of a day-to-day appliance rather than one you haul out every so often. Plus it’s lightweight and compact enough to move around the kitchen as required. Its two bowls – a main 1.9-litre and mini 700ml – plus matching chopping blades and two reversible slicing/grating discs, are all dishwasher safe.

The mini bowl fits inside the main one, and, crucially, has a seal around the edge to stop food spilling out, so when we chopped herbs, there was only one bowl to wash, not two. A separate recipe book has some ideas to get you started, but as you might expect, most of them are basics, such as pesto, mayonnaise, coleslaw, bread and pizza.

The Easy Prep Pro isn’t perfect – its buttons are big and bulky, plus you have to hit the Off control rather than just the High or Low to stop it, which isn’t terribly intuitive. There’s also no dedicated storage for the discs or large chopping blade (though the mini bowl and blade store inside), meaning they could end up becoming blunt sooner than they should.

In tests, it performed well – our carrot was grated uniformly, and we made a springy bread dough easily with the blade and a combination of the pulse and low settings. The machine whined and shook a little as the dough came together, and some crept inside the tool, but overall, our loaf rose well. It’s good value, too.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

4. Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor with Auto-IQ BN800UK

Best food processor blender combo

Capacity: 1.8 litres
Attachments: Blender, personal blender, reversible shredding/slicing disc, dough blade, chopping blade
Reasons to buy:

• Smart settings make the process hands-free
• All the attachments you could need
• Easy to clean after use

Reasons to avoid:

• If you just want a food processor there’s a blender-free option, too

The Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor with Auto-IQ BN800UK is a top pick for space-saving and multi-functionality. The base can be used to blend soups and smoothies in the large 2.1 litre jug or the personal-sized 700ml cup, and there’s also a 1.8-litre food processor attachment. The processor has a unique multi-layered blade that chops evenly, even when you’ve filled the food processor bowl, and there is also a reversible disc that shreds as well as slices.

We would have liked another disc for larger slicing, because the slicing side of the disc is quite fine and not suitable for large shavings of cheese or vegetables. We also found that there was a little of whatever we sliced (be it courgette or cheddar) left at the very top of the blade, because the pusher doesn’t quite fit all the way down into the bowl.

What the Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor with Auto-IQ BN800UK does excel in is smart features. It has a blend, chop, puree, and mix setting, as well as a pulse button and three strengths for blending. These programs mean you can simply press to chop or mix depending on your desired outcome, and the process is pre-timed and hands-free. You could even get set on the crudites for your new pureed dip.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

Read our full Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor with Auto-IQ BN800UK review

5. Bosch MultiTalent 8 Food Processor

Best food processor for value

Capacity: 3.9 litres
Attachments: 1.5 litre blender jug, shredding disk, slicing disk, citrus press, dough tool, whisk tool, carry case
Reasons to buy:

• It’s so multi-functional
• Great value for money
• Mini chopper attachment
• Everything comes in a handy carry case

Reasons to avoid: 

• The attachments take up a lot of space, so prepare to make room for storage

The Bosch MultiTalent 8 Food Processor is a capable food processor that packs in plenty of value for money. When we put it to the test we were impressed by how smooth it is to operate, and the huge range of attachments speak for themselves.

This food processor comes with a decent blender attachment that held up well when making soups and smoothies. It also has a mini chopper attachment that’s perfect for making dressings, chopping garlic and herbs or tackling smaller quantities of ingredients. The whisk is a stand in for low-in stand mixers and held up well when making cake and brownies. There’s even a citrus juicer attachment.

Other perks included the large bowl that could handle multiple punnets of mushrooms and more than enough onion for any meal. It’s got sturdy shredding, slicing and chopping disks that are held in place by a frame for no wobbling as you slice, and the insert into the feeding chute can also be used to measure liquids.

Cleaning is easy as everything can go in the dishwasher, and we were impressed by the carry case that neatly tucked away all the attachments. You can also buy more attachments online, to make your MultiTalent even more multitalented!

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Bosch MultiTalent 8 Food Processor review

6. Magic Bullet Kitchen Express

Best food processor for small kitchens

Capacity: 850ml
Attachments: Shredding/slicing disc, chopping bowl, personal blender, to-go blender cup and lid
Reasons to buy:

• It’s amazing value
• Surprisingly powerful
• Great for small spaces

Reasons to avoid:

• The small bowl won’t be suitable for large meals

With a motor of just 250 watts, we were ready to write the Magic Bullet Kitchen Express off. In testing though, it seriously impressed us. For a start, the reversible disc really cuts back on space demands and works to slice and grate everything from carrot to cheese very fast indeed. The chopping blade is also stacked, meaning it has two layers and will slice through every layer of your veggies or dough, even when you really fill up that 850ml bowl.

All attachments fit comfortable into the dishwasher, and while there is only an On, Off and Pulse setting, these are incredibly powerful and fast. Our one reservation was that there is no way of slowing down for rougher chops. For this, it’s best to use the pulse setting in short spurts.

While it’s a great food processor, the blender is just as good (and worthy of a mention here). Again, the small motor really overperformed by making thick and creamy smoothie bowls out of tough ingredients including frozen strawberries, bananas and blueberries.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

Read our full Magic Bullet Kitchen Express review

7. Russell Hobbs Desire Food Processor

Best budget food processor

Image credit: Russell Hobbs

Capacity: 1.5 litre
Attachments: Blender, dough hook, slicing/shredding disk, creaming disk
Reasons to buy:

• It’s reasonably priced
• Not too big
• Comes with a blender attachment
• Intuitive controls

Reasons to avoid:

• The plastic construction does feel cheaper

We’re all about value for money, and the Russell Hobbs Desire Food Processor certainly delivers this. It’s not as shiny or multi-functional as some of the other food processors you can buy, but it held up well in our tests and comes in at well under £100. The Desire Food Processor has a 1.5 litre capacity bowl and a modest 600 watts of power, so it’s not best for those demanding tasks like kneading dough.

What it does do very well is chopping and blending, and let’s face it, that’s what really matters in a food processor. We were able to create a thick and perfectly smooth tomato soup in the 1.5 litre blender pitcher, which comes included with the food processor, and it was able to shred, chop and slice carrots, onions and courgettes with surprising efficiency in our tests. The results were fine and even, although because you’re limited on speed options we did find it harder to create chunky chopped veg.

The Russell Hobbs Desire Food Processor has two speeds and a pulse setting, which is very high power and can create smooth sauces easily. It also features a creaming disk, which really impressed us when we used it to make mayonnaise, although it is better used with large quantities thanks to the wide base of the bowl.

The stand is sturdy and has non-stick pads to keep your food processor from moving about. All of the attachments are dishwasher-safe, and clean up easily thanks to the plastic construction. The slicing and shredding disk is reversible, and there is also a dough hook included. It’s not as mighty as some of the other options in our lineup, but for a tiny fraction of the price this multi-tasker certainly delivers on value.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

8. Morphy Richards Prepstar Food Processor

Best compact food processor

Capacity: 4 litres
Attachments: Chopping blade, whisk, beater, grater disc, grating blades, storage caddy
Reasons to buy:

• A top choice for small kitchens
• Easy to store and designed to be tidy
• Colourful attachments add some fun

Reasons to avoid:

• The design takes some getting used to

The Morphy Richards Prepstar Food Processor stood out to us because we loved its stand mixer counterpart – the Morphy Richards Mixstar – is one of the top mixers we’ve ever tried. The Morphy Richards Prepstar Food Processor is good too, but it’s a little less finessed. Everything comes stowed away inside a caddy that slots into the generous 4 litre food processor bowl. This lifts out for use and you can attach the blades or whisk to the central column, which then attaches to the handle that slots into the top of the machine. This handle is plugged in and then twisted into the bowl, which did take some getting used to.

The chopping disc is clever, too. It has three blade attachments for grating and slicing, and these pop out for easy alternation. There was quite a large gap between the blades and top of the bowl in testing, meaning that not everything got shredded evenly. This bowl does have a huge capacity though, which was able to handle an entire cabbage for a coleslaw mix.

While it’s great that everything is stored inside the bowl, you will need to find space for the handle if you want this to fit inside a cupboard or drawer. It’s one of the most space-efficient food processors on the market, so if that’s a priority for you then it’s a good pick.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

9. Magimix 4200XL

Best food processor for versatility

Capacity: 3 litres
Attachments: Dough blade, grating disc, whisk, 3 bowls, blendermix ring, egg whisk
Reasons to buy:

• Auto detection
• Smart attachments
• A sturdy classic that’s built to last

Reasons to avoid:

• It doesn’t have a blender jug

If you’ve ever put off using your food processor for small or medium-sized amounts because of the mountain of washing up at the end of it, the 4200XL is the clever solution you’ve been looking for. It comes with three bowls that nest inside each other, meaning that you can whizz up herbs or mayonnaise in its mini bowl or shred veg in the midi one without having to wash the large main bowl.

However, it’s far more than the Russian doll of processors. What’s just as special is that you don’t have to pick the speed to use with each task, it’ll do it for you. So no more second guessing yourself or over-processing. One other point of difference is a BlenderMix ring that helps to make soups and sauces smoother, and the ability to add accessories to expand its functions, although there’s already a dough blade, knife blade, mini blade, a whisk, four discs, spatula and storage box.

In tests, the 4200XL consistently produced excellent results regardless of the task. It sliced onions and celery evenly in the midi bowl (with none of it landing in the main bowl), turning a 10-minute chopping tasks into 30 seconds of processing. Then we were able to take the midi bowl out, slot the whisk into the main bowl and add three egg whites. After about five minutes, the whites were light and fluffy and had increased in volume to fill the bowl.

It performed similarly well when using the blade in the main bowl to liquidise vegetable soup. The BlenderMix ring helped to deflect the liquid down towards the blade, rather than it splashing up into the processor lid, so that after two minutes it was smooth. Another advantage is that the bowl can blend hot liquids, so there was no need to cool the soup to room temperature before processing. A final reason to buy is that it’s dishwasher-safe.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

10. Sage The Kitchen Wizz

Best food processor for keen cooks

Capacity: 3.6 litres
Attachments: Slicer, julienne blade, chipping blade, reversible shredding blade, whisk discs, dough blade, quad blade, mini blade
Reasons to buy:

• For serious home chefs
• Very powerful induction motor
• French fry cutting tool

Reasons to avoid:

• Comes at a high price point

This food processor comes with a mighty 2,000W induction motor, stacked four-bladed chopping knife and a variable slicing disc with settings from a super-skinny 0.3mm to 8mm. It means business.

Rather than relying on a standard array, some of the Kitchen Wizz Pro’s eight tools are designed to suit a particular need – so there’s a julienne disc for matchsticks, but also a French fry cutting disc for chips. Think of it like the difference between a full toolbox for DIY… and using a hammer for everything.

All the food processor tools fit into a handy box after use, leaving just the main 3.7-litre bowl and mini bowl to be stored on the die-cast metal base. There’s also an LED timer for counting down and up.

The machine adjusts automatically to the food being processed, while a choice of small or large feed chute allows you to keep vegetables upright. This means you can control the flow of ingredients.

During testing, the food processor’s dough blade mixed pizza dough to a good elastic consistency, while the quad blade easily emulsified thick, viscous mayonnaise and minced meat. The adjustable slicing disc meanwhile, created even slices of aubergine. The only downside is that the food processor parts are not all dishwasher-safe.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

Why do I need the best food processor?

It seems like food processors just keep on coming out with more attachments and smart options – some can even be used as a blender, and you can even give your stand mixer a break with a food processor to make dough or whip up cream or mayonnaise.

Mixing, whisking, whipping, emulsifying, kneading, mincing and even heating are possible with a good food processor. You’ll be able to broaden your cooking repertoire and create more exciting, fresh meals from scratch that the whole family will love. Be warned, once you’ve tried homemade pesto, you may never go back to shop-bought again…

How much should I spend on a food processor?

Image credit: Cuisinart

Food processors vary greatly in price and amount of accessories, so how much you spend will depend on how much you plan to use it and what it needs to be able to do. A basic machine can cost as little as £40, while food processors with built-in scales, timers and heating features can be priced from £500 upwards.

If all you need is speedy chopping and you’re unlikely to use multiple attachments and bowls (or will struggle to store them), it’s best to opt for a food processor under £100.

However, keen cooks and those who like to make batches for the freezer will get more use from the extra kit.

Some food processors may also be able to double up as a stand mixer, blender or mini chopper, making them a better value all-in-one buy.

Where will you store your food processor?

Decide where your food processor will live. If it’ll be on display on the worktop, you may want to spend a little more on a model you’re happy to have on display or that coordinates with your kitchen.

Similarly, check the height as not all food processors are low enough to fit under kitchen wall cabinets. If you plan to store it in a cupboard, check how much it weighs. You may put off using it if it’s too heavy or bulky to get out for smaller jobs.

What should I look for in a food processor?

Image credit: Magic Bullet

Which food processor accessories do I need?

One of the defining features of modern food processors is how much kit they can potentially come with. Standard accessories include a chopping blade for dicing, mixing, mashing and puréeing. There will be a dough hook for kneading, which works by stretching the dough rather than slicing through it. Then there might be one or two discs with a spindle, which will shred, slice and grate cheese and vegetables.

More expensive machines may come with a julienne disc for slicing potato or carrot into matchsticks, an adjustable slicing blade for different thicknesses and whipping/beating attachments.

Other food processor accessories can include a blender jug, midi and/or mini bowls that nestle inside the main bowl and have their own blades to chop smaller quantities of nuts, herbs or chocolate with less washing-up. A citrus press may be included.

What food processor bowl size do I need?

The size of your food processor bowl will affect how much you can prep in one go. The largest can be up to four litres – ideal if you batch cook or have a big family – but for everyday jobs 1.8-2 litres should be enough. A wide feed chute is also a plus as it’ll mean less initial prep for larger items, such as potatoes or courgettes. Look for a good-quality BPA-free plastic bowl and lid so they’re robust enough not to have to be replaced in a few years.

Is storage important?

Storage is a key consideration if your food processor comes with lots of kit. Look for designs that allow you to store tools inside the bowl or that come with boxes or cases.

Storing discs and blades in a dedicated box means they’ll stay sharper and be more effective at chopping and shredding. Store them loose in a drawer and they’ll gradually become blunter from rubbing against other items.

What speed settings do I need on my food processor?

Variable speeds allow you to control how much you process your food and give greater versatility. For example, a pulse option is good for foods that only need rough chopping, such as nuts. Dough kneading, meanwhile, should always be done on a low food processor setting so it’s stretched rather than spun around the bowl.

How much power should a food processor have?

Image credit: Russell Hobbs

Use a food processor’s wattage as a rough guide to its power. Remember that how a food processor is designed can have as much bearing on its performance. More watts won’t always mean it’s a better machine but anything over 650W should have enough muscle for most tasks.

Are food processors easy to clean?

Food processors might save on prep time but if they’re increasing washing-up duration by being awkward to clean, they’re not much help. Look for models where most or all parts can be popped in the dishwasher. Look out for crevices in the tools where food can become trapped. Some plastic parts and tools may be top rack-safe only, so check before you put them on a hot wash. See our guide on how to clean a blender or food processor for more guidance.

Are food processors noisy?

Food processors can be noisy – but some are more than others. Look for food processors with an induction motor for quieter processing. As a plus, induction motors also tend to be more reliable.

The post Best food processor 2022: for vegetables, dips, and dough appeared first on Ideal Home.

Housebuilders could face a paved driveway ban due to new restrictions around river pollution. The government is currently looking at new driveway rules to help clean up the UK’s waterways, including builders’ ‘right to connect’ to sewage networks.

As solid paved driveway ideas rely on drains and do not allow water to soak into the ground, they can create excess water. This can cause sewage systems to overflow, leaking into local rivers.

Image credit: Colin Poole

Paved driveway ban

Junior environment minister Rebecca Pow spoke to The Telegraph about the Clean Rivers campaign in her Somerset constituency of Taunton Deane. Rebecca Pow said that in the future, new housing developments may have to show that they have plans for a sustainable drainage system in place before they’re allowed to connect to local sewage networks.

This will prevent the sewers from becoming overwhelmed. The new driveway rules are likely to include restrictions on solid paved driveways in favour of green spaces.

The Government is also considering creating ponds to allow water to soak into the ground rather than running off an impermeable driveway and into drains, where it can put pressure on sewage systems. ‘There’s a lot of water getting down into our drains and getting muddled up with the sewage that doesn’t need to be there,’ comments Rebecca Pow.

Image credit: Future

‘So we need to have water butts in our gardens,’ says Rebecca. ‘We need to have semipermeable membranes on our driveways rather than Tarmac so that water doesn’t rush in.’

It’s said that major housing developments may also have to invest in new sewage infrastructure to avoid overwhelming the existing network.

Other permeable driveway options include gravel or shingle, which can look aesthetically pleasing and are relatively cheap to install. Resin-bound driveways, or wheel tracks are another alternative to solid paving.

Image credit: David Giles

This is where paving is only put down in two strips where your car’s wheels will rest when parked in the driveway, leaving the rest as gravel or grass.

More sustainable gardens and driveways will lead to cleaner rivers, in turn making local areas nicer places to live. The new driveway rules are also set to create more green spaces where wildlife can thrive, rather than lots of paved-up concrete in new developments.

The post Paved driveways could soon be banned in the UK due to new restrictions appeared first on Ideal Home.

Understanding how to sell your house is key for anyone looking to put their property on the market. Selling your house can be daunting and exciting in equal measure, and the process is not without its stressful moments so it pays to be prepared for what’s to come.

Whether you are considering a local estate agent to sell your house, or going down the route of an online agent or auction house, following this handy guide will give you the best shot at a smooth sale.

If you’re buying a house as well as selling, make sure you check out our guide to the best mortgage rates.

1. Check mortgage restrictions

Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles

Before you rush to erect a ‘for sale’ sign out front, check the details of your current mortgage.

If you’re mid-way through a mortgage term, there could be a big penalty for breaking the contract early. It’s known as an early repayment charge and it could add thousands of pounds to the cost of moving house.

Some mortgages are portable, which means you can shift the same deal to a new property. It won’t always be suitable or possible, so speak to your lender about options for porting your mortgage.

Consider speaking to an independent mortgage broker if you’re looking to buy once your property is sold.

Leaseholders should check how long is left to run on a lease. You may need to buy an extension if it’s nearing 80 years. Otherwise, banks are reluctant to lend to buyers.

2. Get a valuation

You can’t sell anything until you give it a price tag. Homes are no exception. Invite three estate agents to make a house valuation so you can compare.

Search property selling websites like Rightmove and Zoopla for prices of properties similar to yours, in the same area. You can also search for sold prices in your area.

Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore

Use HM Land Registry for sold prices in postcodes in England and Wales. There is also Scotland’s Land and Information Service, and Northern Ireland’s Land and Property Services if you are outside of England and Wales.

Supply and demand in your area will ultimately dictate the offers you get.

3. Prepare for photos and viewings

Hiding clutter and whizzing around with a vacuum is a decent start. However, if you have serious clutter issues consider storing items in a garage, or off premises if you don’t have the space.

And consider paying to fix flaws you can’t mend yourself. Increasing the appeal of your home leads to offers. Viewers will want to see the whole property, so even lofts and garages should look presentable.

But don’t strip the house bare. Buyers will have a better idea of how space is used when there’s furniture in it.

4. Pick an estate agent

Ask for recommendations and inspect contract details. Make sure you find out:

• how much is their commission?
• does it include VAT?
• what are their marketing methods?
• do they insist on sole selling rights?

The latter means you pay the agent commission, even if you find a buyer yourself.

Check how soon you can ditch an estate agent if you’re unhappy with their service, or if they fail to sell your home in a reasonable period.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate. You can always ask if they will lower their commission if they fail to sell within a set time.

Fees are typically between 1 and 3 per cent of the sale price. The average is around 1.42 per cent, including VAT, according to website The Advisory. It’s possible to instruct more than one estate agent, but it costs more.

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

Consider online estate agents too – they can potentially save you thousands of pounds. Examples include Purplebricks, Strike, Yopa and Emoov. Prices for online estate agents range from £75 to £1,500.

They don’t have high street branches, but can offer much of the same services remotely.

Packages vary, but it’s wise to choose one that lists your home on Rightmove and Zoopla.

You might have to conduct viewings yourself. If this doesn’t appeal, or it isn’t practical, choose an agent that can include viewings.

Finally, check if an estate agent is a member of a professional trade body, like the National Association of Estate Agents or Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

It should also be a member of a dispute resolution scheme like The Property Ombudsman. This means if you have a complaint down the line, it can be reviewed independently.

Do I have to use an estate agent?

No. Most people do, and for good reason. There’s less hassle for you. However, you can sell your house privately, or via auction. There are also companies that pledge to buy your house quickly, regardless of condition. However, you risk getting below market value. There may also be scammers operating in this field, so do exercise caution.

5. Get your paperwork in order

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This shows how much energy a property uses and how much that energy typically costs. It gives an efficiency rating from A down to G, and lasts for 10 years. You may still have a valid EPC. Find out by checking the register. If not, it costs anywhere between £35 and £120.

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

Your estate agent may be able to provide an EPC. If not, you will need to find an energy assessor.

Make sure you have paperwork in order too – such as bank statements, proof of ID, mortgage information, and title deeds for the property.

6. Negotiate a sale

Hopefully you will start to get serious interest from buyers. So be prepared to negotiate. Always have in mind the minimum you are prepared to accept.

A sale only becomes legally binding in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland once contracts are exchanged. The rules are slightly different in Scotland.

Estate agents are legally obliged to inform you of all offers made. Ask the estate agent for details about buyers – such as whether they have a mortgage in principle. It shows a lender is likely to give the buyer a mortgage, but it’s no guarantee.

There might be a cash-buyer ready to move quickly, or a buyer that comes with a long chain – someone buying their home, who is also selling another, and so on. The longer the chain, the more likely something can go wrong with one purchase that affects everyone else. These details might influence which offer you accept.

Think about whether you want to try to sell certain fixtures and fittings, or include them in the buying price as a gesture.

Prepare for a home survey to be carried out by the buyer. If it throws up any snags, a buyer might use it to renegotiate the price. Discuss flaws you know about honestly so they’re already built into early stage offers.

7. Appoint a solicitor or conveyancer

A conveyancer manages the legal transfer of ownership from seller to buyer. It can be a solicitor, or a licensed conveyancer. Fees range from several hundred pounds up to £1,500.

Conveyancers will liaise with estate agents and a buyer’s legal representatives, so that all parties fix on a date for completion. Expect questions to come from the buyer’s legal team about your property. Answering queries promptly helps to keep the process moving. The same goes for completing and returning signed paperwork.

Once contracts are exchanged the sale is legally binding for both parties. There are penalties for breaking them.

8. The completion date

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

Following the exchange of contracts, you work towards a completion date. This is when you move yourself and your belongings out of the property, clean up, and hand over keys. Money is also transferred from buyer to seller, via respective legal teams.

Get quotes for removal firms that can help you shift furniture and belongings. A removal firm should be insured. You can search for one on the website of the British Association of Removers.

You can also compare offers on websites like reallymoving.com.

And finally . . . The power of goodwill

Always keep the big picture in mind. Try not to fixate on every pound gained or lost. Act honestly, and fairly, and hope that a buyer reflects integrity back at you.

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