Business Brokerage: Sell, Buy & Value Your Business

Business brokers are typically paid a success-based commission at closing, calculated as a percentage of the sale price. The rate depends on the size and complexity of the transaction. We explain our fees clearly before any engagement begins.

On sell-side engagements, the seller typically pays the commission from the sale proceeds at closing. Buyer-side advisory engagements are structured separately.

Owners can sell on their own, but most find it difficult to price the business accurately, reach qualified buyers without breaching confidentiality, and negotiate while running the company. A broker typically recovers the fee through a higher price, better terms, and a deal that actually closes.

Smaller owner-operated businesses are usually valued as a multiple of seller’s discretionary earnings (SDE); larger companies are more often valued on a multiple of EBITDA. Industry, growth, customer concentration, owner dependence, and financing availability all move the multiple.

Many business sales take six to twelve months from preparation to closing. Well-prepared businesses with clean financials and realistic pricing generally sell faster.

Yes. We market businesses without identifying details, require non-disclosure agreements before releasing information, qualify buyers before introductions, and coordinate meetings discreetly so employees, customers, and competitors are not alerted.

Taxes depend on whether the deal is structured as an asset sale or a stock sale, how the purchase price is allocated, and your entity type. We work alongside your CPA and attorney during negotiations so the structure supports your after-tax outcome.

Look for a broker who communicates clearly, explains fees up front, has a defined confidential process, understands your industry’s buyers, and will give you an honest valuation rather than an inflated number to win the listing.