The BD Dilemma: Hire or Outsource?

If you’re leading a conveyancing firm, you’ll know the feeling, it's late at night. You’re lying awake, running the numbers in your head. Growth has stalled. Competitors are pushing ahead. And you’re asking yourself the question:

“Do we take the leap and hire a Business Development Manager?”

On paper, it seems like the answer. But then reality sets in.

The True Cost of Hiring

A capable BDM will cost £50,000 – £75,000 a year. Once you add National Insurance, pension, recruitment fees, bonuses, and training, the true annual cost pushes towards £85,000+.

That’s a huge fixed overhead - before you’ve seen a single result.

And here’s the thought that keeps many partners awake at night: “What if they’re fantastic… and then they leave?”

If your new BDM becomes the face of your firm’s growth, builds personal ties with your introducers, and then moves on to a competitor, they may take your pipeline - and a piece of your future - with them.

Why Outsourcing Deserves a First Look

Outsourcing BD isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about managing risk, scaling sensibly, and buying in sector expertise without gambling the firm’s future.

Here’s why it works:

• Lower barrier to entry - Packages start at just £495 per month, making it easier to test growth before committing to a full-time salary.

• Continuity & security - The relationships, systems, and processes stay with your firm - not with one individual who might walk away.

• Specialist knowledge - Our team lives and breathes conveyancing BD. You don’t have to wait six months for someone to learn the ropes.

• Scalability - Bronze, Silver, and Gold packages let you scale up at your pace, rather than hiring big and hoping for the best.

The Dilemma in Practice

Picture two firms.

• Firm A hires a BDM at £65,000. For the first six months, results are mixed as they build networks and learn the market. The partners still carry the risk and oversight. Then, just as momentum builds, the BDM is headhunted - taking introducer relationships with them.

  
  

• Firm B outsources BD at £995 per month. From day one, they benefit from structured strategy sessions, introducer engagement, social media presence, and measurable tools like LegallyQuoting, Convey Alerts, and Title Guardian. Their systems and client touch points stay embedded in the firm, not in one person’s notebook.

After 12 months, Firm B has invested less than a quarter of Firm A’s spend - with more stable, predictable results.

Outsourcing Isn’t Forever (But It Should Be the First Step)

For larger firms, an in-house BDM may eventually make sense. But outsourcing first gives you the chance to:

• Prove the value of BD within your firm.

• Establish systems and pipelines that belong to you, not an individual.

• Build a business case for hiring later, from a position of strength - not desperation.

It’s about sleeping easier at night, knowing you’re not betting the firm on a single hire.

Conclusion: Sleep Better, Grow Smarter

Business development is no longer optional. It’s the engine of sustainable growth. But it shouldn’t cost £75,000 a year - or the risk of losing your clients when someone leaves - to access it.

Our tiered Bronze, Silver, and Gold packages put Business Development within reach of every firm, starting at just £495 per month.

👉 Before you gamble on a big hire, ask yourself: Wouldn’t it make sense to try outsourcing first?

📞 Call us today on 0333 090 9822💻 Or book your no-obligation discovery meeting: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ32SqUvA4dyK8TexKL-7jSJ39dv-CtnHTP9GLWH2tllbydYcVr5bUmAmVg_M8bJlUfVmwOJvDtY?gv=true

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