How to Sell a Construction Business in Clearwater, FL
o sell a construction business in Clearwater, FL, an owner values the company on adjusted earnings, cleans up financials and job-cost records, solves the contractor license transfer problem under Florida Statutes Chapter 489, markets the company confidentially, negotiates an asset or equity sale, and closes after due diligence. The process typically takes several months, and […]
Does a Landlord Have to Approve a Lease Assignment When You Sell Your Florida Business?
For many Florida business owners, the commercial lease does not receive much attention until a buyer is ready to purchase the company. Then it can suddenly become one of the most important documents in the entire transaction. If your business operates from leased premises and the buyer intends to remain at that location, the buyer […]
What You Actually Net After Selling a Business in Florida (Taxes and Deal Structure)
Most Florida business owners who sell for one million dollars keep somewhere between six hundred thousand and seven hundred fifty thousand dollars after taxes, closing costs, and deal structure adjustments are subtracted from the headline sale price. The exact number depends on four factors that decide almost everything: whether the transaction is structured as an […]
Why Does Selling a Florida Business Take Longer If You Have a Liquor License to Transfer?
Selling a business in Florida can already involve financial due diligence, buyer financing, lease negotiations, legal documents, and closing coordination. When the business also holds an alcoholic beverage license, the transaction can take longer because the buyer may need to complete a separate regulatory process before the liquor license can be transferred. The additional time […]
Which Electrical Business Add-Backs Will Buyers Accept?
Add-backs can materially affect the estimated value of an electrical business, but sellers should not assume that every expense identified as personal, discretionary, or nonrecurring will be accepted by a buyer. In smaller owner-operated transactions, buyers may recognize a broader range of legitimate adjustments when calculating Seller’s Discretionary Earnings, or SDE. In larger transactions, buyers […]
Selling a Family-Owned Plumbing Company
Selling a family-owned plumbing company is rarely just a financial decision. For many owners, the company represents decades of hard work, family sacrifice, trusted customer relationships, and a reputation built one service call at a time. The business may carry the family name, employ relatives, and support employees who have been part of the company […]
Quality of Earnings (QoE) Report-Insights Every Business Buyer and Seller Should Know
Quality of Earnings Report: What Business Buyers and Sellers Should Know A quality of earnings report, commonly called a QoE report, examines the financial drivers behind a company’s reported earnings. It helps transaction participants evaluate recurring performance, proposed earnings adjustments, and financial risks. Depending on the agreed scope, the engagement may also address working capital, […]
Strategic Buyer vs Financial Buyer
Strategic Buyer vs Financial Buyer: Understanding the Two Most Important Types of Business Buyers Selling a business is one of the most important financial events in an entrepreneur’s life. Yet many owners begin the sale process without fully understanding the difference between a strategic buyer and a financial buyer. That lack of knowledge can lead […]
What Lowers Business Valuation
Business valuation usually falls for one of three reasons: normalized earnings decline, buyers apply a lower valuation multiple because risk increases, or both happen at the same time. Common factors include declining revenue, shrinking margins, unsupported add-backs, customer concentration, owner dependence, weak management, poor financial records, limited recurring revenue, lease problems, and legal or compliance […]
Why Businesses Fail to Sell
Why Businesses Fail to Sell: A Business Broker’s Real-World Experience Most business owners believe that if their company is profitable, it will eventually sell. Unfortunately, that assumption is often wrong. After years of working as a business broker, I’ve learned that many businesses never actually make it to the closing table. Some fail during due […]