If a seller pulls out of a house sale before contracts are exchanged, the buyer usually has limited recourse and cannot claim compensation for most expenses, such as survey costs or conveyancing fees. However, once contracts are exchanged, both parties are legally committed to the transaction. If the seller pulls out after this point, the buyer may sue for breach of contract and claim damages that could include additional costs incurred and potentially the difference in cost if they buy a similar property at a higher price. In such cases, legal advice is essential to understand the full range of options available.