If you’re an entrepreneur who owns a construction company, then you may be interested in selling it. Selling a business can be a complex process, but by understanding the steps involved and preparing for them, you can make the sale as smooth as possible.
This article will go over the steps to successfully sell your construction business.
Five Steps to Sell Your Construction Business
1. Determine the Value of Your Construction Business
The first step in selling your construction business is to determine its value. Several factors will affect the value of your business, including its profitability, its location, and current market conditions.
There are a few different ways to value a business. The most common method is to use a multiple of your construction business’ annual earnings or sales.
Find websites online that list companies like yours for sale. Start with BizBuySell.com. Go there to figure out the multiples of annual earnings or sales that other construction businesses are listed for sale. Then, apply those multiples to your business.
For example, if the average construction business is listed for 1.5 times their annual revenue, multiply your revenue from the last twelve months by 1.5 to estimate your current value.
2. Prepare Your Documents
To sell your construction business, buyers will need to see many documents. These include your financial statements, tax returns, contracts, licenses, and permits.
You should also put together a list of your equipment and machinery, as well as any vehicles that are owned by the business.
If you have any employees, you’ll need to provide their job descriptions and salary information. Buyers will also want to see a list of your major clients, as well as any pending projects.
You should also gather your incorporation documents.
Then, prepare a summary of your business, including information on your history, services, competitive advantages, and financial performance.
3. Find a Buyer
The next step is to find a buyer for your construction business. There are a few different ways to do this.
One way is to use a broker. Brokers specialize in finding buyers for businesses, and they will typically charge a commission based on the sale price (usually they charge a 10% fee).
Another way to find a buyer is to list your business for sale online. There are many websites like BizBuySell.com that allow you to list your construction business for sale, and this can be a good way to reach a large number of potential buyers.
You can also market your construction business to potential buyers yourself. This can be done by sending out direct mailings or by placing ads in newspapers or magazines.
4. Negotiate the Sale
Once you’ve found a potential buyer, you’ll need to negotiate the sale.
There are a few things to keep in mind when negotiating the sale of your business. First, you should be prepared to negotiate on price. Second, you should have a clear idea of what you want in the sale, such as cash or equity in the new company. Finally, you should be prepared to walk away from the deal if it’s not a good fit for you.
Understand that many buyers may want to pay you partially upfront and partially over time. Be prepared for this, and realize that payments promised over time will not always happen.
5. Close the Deal
Once you’ve reached an agreement with the buyer, it’s time to close the deal. This process will vary depending on the terms of the sale, but there are a few things that need to be done for the sale to be final.
- You’ll need to transfer ownership of the construction business. This can be done by transferring the business’s assets to the buyer, or by transferring the shares of stock if the business is a corporation.
- You’ll need to transfer any licenses or permits required for the business’s operation. This can be done by contacting the appropriate government agencies.
- You’ll need to cancel or assign to the new owner any leases or contracts that are in place for your construction business. This includes leases for office or retail space, as well as contracts for services such as advertising or accounting.
- You’ll need to notify your employees of the sale. This is typically done by sending out a letter or email to all of the employees.
After the Sale
After the sale is complete, there are a few loose ends that need to be wrapped up.
- You’ll need to file a final tax return for the construction business. This return will need to include any income or gains from the sale of the business.
- You’ll need to cancel any business licenses or permits that are no longer needed.
- You’ll need to close any bank accounts associated with your construction business.
- You may also need to cancel any insurance policies in place for the business.
Once you have taken care of these things, you will officially sell your construction business. Now you’re ready for the next adventure!
Sell Your Construction Company
Selling a construction business can be challenging, but with the right steps, it can be a smooth and successful experience. The five steps we’ve outlined in this article will help you sell your construction business. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect buyer and closing the sale.