Calgary real estate insights
Calgary Real Estate Lawyer Fees: What Is in the Quote?
An advertised legal fee and the amount required at closing are different numbers. Compare what is included before choosing on price.
Two published Calgary fee examples.
The figures below were checked September 23, 2026. They are examples from individual firms, not a citywide average, a recommendation or a quote for your transaction.
| Firm and transaction | Published professional fee | What to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| Duncan Law: sale, $500,000–$999,999 | $850 + GST | Ask which disbursements and extras apply |
| Duncan Law: purchase with mortgage, same price band | $950 + GST | Request the complete written closing estimate |
| Brian N. Lester: most sales | $1,200 + GST + disbursements | Confirm mortgage payouts and file complexity |
| Brian N. Lester: purchase with new mortgage | $1,500 + GST + disbursements | Registration and other costs are additional |
Duncan Law’s published fees; Brian N. Lester’s published fees. The two fee structures may cover different work; do not treat their headline prices as like-for-like totals.
Ask for a quote that separates four amounts.
Request professional fees, disbursements, government registration charges and GST as separate lines. Ask which costs are estimates and which are fixed. If title insurance is proposed, ask whether it is included and what it does and does not address.
Describe the transaction accurately: sale or purchase, price, property type, mortgage details, number of payouts and timing. Ask whether extra charges apply to a rush file, additional lender work or condominium documents.
Mortgage payouts can dwarf the legal fee.
Your lender’s payout balance and any applicable charges are separate from the lawyer’s professional fee. Get a written lender payout quote for the expected date. A small saving on legal work should not distract from a much larger financing or timing cost.
For a move involving both a sale and purchase, request estimates for both files. Ask when you must provide cleared funds and how the sale proceeds will reach the purchase.
Check the date on registration estimates.
Alberta has published document fee changes effective October 1, 2026. Have the lawyer apply the correct schedule for the submission date. See the Calgary closing-cost guide for a worked transfer-and-mortgage registration example.
Compare the scope, responsiveness and total written estimate. The useful question is how much your transaction is expected to cost, with the assumptions clearly shown.
Get the numbers for your own home.
Your next move starts with a realistic sale price and a clear view of what you can keep. Ask Don to review your home, nearby competition and selling costs.