What a buyer asks for first
- Service agreement count, renewal rate and monthly recurring revenue
- Split of replacement, repair and new construction work
- Technician roster with tenure, pay and certifications
- License holders and how licenses carry through the sale
- Fleet list, loans and the customer database
Service Agreements Are the Gold
A trades company with a few hundred maintenance agreements has income that repeats. Buyers value that. Track how many agreements you have, what they pay, how many renew and how many turn into replacement jobs.
A company that only runs emergency calls can still sell, but usually for a lower multiple than one with a steady agreement base.
Technicians Are the Real Asset
You cannot sell what you cannot staff. A buyer looks at who your technicians are, how long they have stayed and what they are paid. Losing two lead techs after a closing can cost more than any price term.
- Keep pay at market so your best people do not leave when word spreads
- Have a service manager who schedules without you
- Document how you train new hires
Licenses and Qualifiers
Trades in North Carolina are licensed by different boards, and licenses are tied to specific people or firms. See contractor licenses on a sale for how this works. If you are the only license holder, a buyer needs a plan before closing.
Seasons and Cash Flow
Summer and winter spikes are expected. Show monthly results over three years so a buyer sees the pattern. A buyer who understands your calendar prices with more confidence.
Fleet, Inventory and Tools
Trucks, tools and parts count. Provide a list with ages, mileage and any loans. Buyers often adjust the price for the condition of the fleet.
Your Customer Data
A clean customer database with service history and equipment ages is worth real money to a buyer, because it points to the next sale. If yours lives in a notebook, move it into software now.
Use the earnings guide to see how a buyer builds a price, and request a valuation check when you are ready.