Hi mate,
If they are charging £1,800 (inc/exl vat?) is a bit steep. It does depend on your area though due to competition. For example, in my area competition is fierce and so prices would be £500 plus VAT to sell and £600 plus VAT to buy whereas a few miles down the road the prices would be £600 to sell and £850 to buy (plus vat on each).
As for the searches etc. on your sale you probably already have an EPC so you only need to pay for a copy of your title which is £8.
On the purchase it is always advisable to get searches; believe me I have seen the problems that can be created if you don't like compulsory purchase for example where the council nick a piece of your land to widen a road.
The Local Search should be £100 to £150; the drainage and water search should be about £50 (roughly - varies between water companies); and an environmental search would be about £50 also.
Other searches may be necessary depending on your area; you have to remember though that even you don't want it if you are getting a mortgage your lender will insist they are done so you solicitor won't have much choice.
The land registry searches should be £4 for a priority searches and £2 per name for bankrcuptcy searches (only necessary where you are getting a mortgage).
The stamp duty on your purchase would be £2,160 (1% up to £250k).
The land registry fee is also dependant on price and in your case it would be £280.
Think thats pretty much it mate. As you may have guessed I am clued up on this stuff because I am a property lawyer. I would be glad to deal with your transaction for your if you like just pm me your details and I will get in touch.
Enticy