What's included in an estate agent's fee in Kirkwall
The typical estate agent fee in Kirkwall is quoted as a percentage of the final sale price.
For a home selling at the Kirkwall average, the typical fee works out at around 1.4%
— broadly in line with the UK sole-agency midpoint of 1.42%
published by HomeOwners Alliance. Most UK towns sit above that midpoint, some below — 1.4%
is where Kirkwall currently lands given local sale prices.
About VAT — read this if you're comparing sites: industry-wide, agents quote
a fee ex-VAT and add 20% at contract stage. So what looks like "1.5%" on a competitor's site is
actually 1.8% once VAT is added. On AgentSeeker, the percentage we show is a
committed total — the agent signs up to charge 1.4% as their all-in fee,
with no VAT added later. To compare apples-to-apples: take any competitor headline percentage,
multiply by 1.2, and that's what you'll actually pay there.
Why the committed fee is binding. When you submit an enquiry through
AgentSeeker and the agent accepts it, the Quoted Fee shown to you becomes the agency
fee binding the agent in any sale agreement that follows — they cannot add VAT or any
further charge on top at the point of instruction. You're entitled to enforce this
directly against the agent under our
terms (Section 6A)
and the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
A Kirkwall agent's fee typically covers: the property valuation, professional photography and
a floorplan, listing on Rightmove / Zoopla / OnTheMarket, handling enquiries and viewings, offer
negotiation, and progressing the sale through to completion. Extras sometimes charged separately
include premium listing boosts, EPC arrangement, and For Sale board hire.
What you'd pay at different Kirkwall sale prices
These worked examples use the local typical fee of 1.4% as a committed total (no VAT added) applied to sample sale
prices around the Kirkwall market. Commission is deducted from the completion proceeds, so
you never pay the fee upfront.
| Sale price |
Typical fee (1.4%) |
You keep |
| £200,000 |
£2,840 |
£197,160 |
| £250,000 |
£3,550 |
£246,450 |
| £300,000 |
£4,260 |
£295,740 |
| £400,000 |
£5,680 |
£394,320 |
| £550,000 |
£7,810 |
£542,190 |
On AgentSeeker, every Kirkwall agent on the shortlist commits to the fee they're quoted before
you contact them — the number you see is the number you pay if the agent accepts your lead.
See current Kirkwall agents and their committed fees.
Estate Agent Fees in Kirkwall: Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage do most estate agents charge in Kirkwall?
Most estate agents in Kirkwall charge between 1.7% to 2.1% of the final sale price, with the typical Kirkwall agent landing around 1.4%. On AgentSeeker, that percentage is the total fee you pay — agents don't add VAT on top at contract stage, which is unusual in the industry and is our core transparency promise. These bands draw on Land Registry sold-price data and industry research from HomeOwners Alliance, Which? and Compare My Move. see verified Kirkwall fees.
When is the best time to sell a house in Kirkwall?
Spring (March–May) and early autumn (September–October) are traditionally the strongest months for selling in Kirkwall, with more active buyers and longer viewing daylight. That said, a well-priced home with the right agent will sell year-round. Find the best-performing agents in Kirkwall today. best Kirkwall agents.
Do I have to pay estate agent fees if I sell privately in Kirkwall?
If you sell your Kirkwall home entirely privately with no agent involved, there's no agent fee to pay. However, most Kirkwall agents operate on a 'sole agency' or 'multi-agency' contract — and if a buyer originally introduced by the agent completes, the fee is still due even if you handle the final negotiation yourself. Always check the contract before signing. Compare committed-fee Kirkwall agents on AgentSeeker. committed-fee Kirkwall agents.
Should I use an online or high-street estate agent in Kirkwall?
In Kirkwall, high-street agents tend to offer stronger local-buyer reach and marketing networks, while online-only agents typically charge lower flat fees but require the seller to handle more of the process. Most Kirkwall sellers achieve better outcomes with a high-street agent when local buyer demand is strong. Compare both types side-by-side on AgentSeeker. compare Kirkwall agents.
