How the Home Service Business Sale Process Works
From free valuation to closed deal in 90–180 days. Here is exactly what happens at every step — and why our process consistently delivers above-market results.
Free Broker Opinion of Value
Week 1Schedule a 30-minute call with Jason Taken. We review your revenue, profitability, operational factors, and industry multiples. Within 48 hours, you receive a written Broker Opinion of Value (BOV) — a real market estimate, not a calculator output.
- ▸No financial documents required for the initial call
- ▸Approximate numbers are fine — we work with what you have
- ▸You keep the BOV regardless of whether you move forward
- ▸No engagement fee, no obligation
Engagement & Deal Preparation
Weeks 2–4If you decide to move forward, we sign a listing agreement and begin preparing your business for market. This includes financial normalization (SDE recast), a Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM), and buyer targeting strategy.
- ▸We recast 3 years of financials to properly calculate SDE and EBITDA
- ▸We prepare a professional CIM that positions your business at its best
- ▸We identify and prioritize the buyer categories most likely to pay a premium
- ▸We advise on any quick-win improvements to maximize value before going to market
Confidential Buyer Outreach
Weeks 3–8We approach pre-qualified buyers under NDA — PE firms, strategic acquirers, and individual buyers actively targeting your vertical. We never list publicly. Your employees, customers, and competitors never know your business is for sale.
- ▸All buyers sign an NDA before receiving any information
- ▸We typically approach 20–50 targeted buyers simultaneously
- ▸Creating competition between buyers is the single biggest driver of above-market pricing
- ▸We screen all inquiries so you only spend time with serious, qualified buyers
Offers & Letter of Intent
Weeks 6–10Qualified buyers submit Indications of Interest (IOIs) and then formal Letters of Intent (LOIs). We negotiate the best combination of price, deal structure, and terms. Most engagements receive 3–8 offers.
- ▸We review and compare all LOIs across price, structure, contingencies, and timeline
- ▸Earnout vs. all-cash vs. seller note tradeoffs are analyzed for your net proceeds
- ▸We negotiate on your behalf — you are never alone in front of a buyer
- ▸Once an LOI is accepted, we move to exclusivity and due diligence
Due Diligence
Weeks 8–14The buyer's team (attorneys, accountants, operational reviewers) verifies the business. We manage this process, respond to requests, and protect you from unreasonable demands or renegotiation attempts.
- ▸We prepare a due diligence data room in advance to minimize delays
- ▸Standard review covers financials, legal, operations, customers, and employees
- ▸SBA loan due diligence adds 30–45 days — we manage lender requirements
- ▸We push back on buyers who attempt price chips without material new findings
Closing
Weeks 12–20Once due diligence is complete, attorneys finalize the purchase agreement and closing documents. Funds transfer at close. You walk away with your check.
- ▸Asset purchase vs. stock purchase structure is finalized with your attorney
- ▸Working capital peg and adjustment mechanism are negotiated
- ▸Transition period is agreed upon — typically 30–90 days of seller support
- ▸Earnout tracking mechanisms are built into the agreement if applicable
Typical Timeline: 90–180 Days
| Phase | Typical Duration | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Valuation & Preparation | 2–4 weeks | CIM complete, buyers identified |
| Buyer Outreach & Offers | 4–8 weeks | LOI signed, exclusivity begins |
| Due Diligence | 4–8 weeks | Purchase agreement drafted |
| Closing | 1–2 weeks | Funds transferred at close |
| Total | 90–180 days | You have your check |
SBA-financed deals typically add 30–45 days. Cash deals or strategic acquirer deals can close in 60–75 days.
Why We Never List Publicly
Most business brokers list their clients on public marketplace websites like BizBuySell. We deliberately do not. Here is why this matters for your outcome:
Confidentiality protects your business value. When employees learn the business is for sale, key staff often leave. When customers find out, they start qualifying alternatives. When competitors know, they use it against you in sales conversations. A publicly listed business can lose 10–20% of its value before the first offer arrives.
Competition drives price. A public listing gets passive inquiries. Our targeted outreach creates urgency. Buyers who know they are competing with other qualified parties bid at the top of their range, not the bottom.
Pre-qualified buyers close faster. Public listings attract unqualified inquiries that waste months of your time. Every buyer we introduce has been screened for financial capacity and genuine acquisition intent.
Ready to Start the Process?
The first step is a free 30-minute call. You'll walk away with a real market estimate and a clear sense of what your business could sell for — and what it would take to get there.
Schedule My Free Valuation Call →No contact forms. No obligation. Direct access to Jason Taken, Business Broker.