ServicesBusiness Valuation
Business Valuation in Elgin, TX
We work out what your business would likely sell for today, using your real books and current buyer demand. It is free and confidential. We give you a target date up front and tell you right away if something pushes it back.
A number you can actually plan with
A valuation tells you what a buyer is likely to pay for your business and why. We start from your earnings, adjust them so they show what a new owner would really take home, and compare that against what similar businesses are selling for.
Most owners come to us for one of three reasons. They are thinking about selling in the next few years, a partner wants out, or they just want to know where they stand. Each one needs a number grounded in your records, not a guess from a rule of thumb.
We work at our office or by phone and video, so owners in Elgin, Manor, Taylor and Bastrop can get this done without closing early for the day. You get a date when we will walk you through the result, and we stick to it or call you before it slips.
What your valuation covers
- Recast earnings
- We go through three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements. Then we add back owner perks, one-time costs and personal expenses run through the business. That gives us seller's discretionary earnings, the figure most buyers and lenders start with.
- Market comparison
- We look at what businesses of your type and size have actually sold for. That tells us what range of multiples buyers are paying right now.
- Assets and inventory
- Equipment, vehicles and inventory get counted and weighed. Old equipment that will need replacing soon lowers what a buyer will pay, and we say so.
- Risk factors
- We look at how much the business depends on you, on one big customer or on a short lease. These move the price more than most owners expect.
- A plain walkthrough
- We sit down with you in person or on video and explain the number line by line. You leave knowing what helps your value and what holds it back.
When it makes sense to get a valuation
You are thinking about selling
Even if a sale is two or three years off, knowing your number now gives you time to raise it. Our Exit Planning work starts here.
A partner wants out
A buyout goes smoother when both sides start from the same outside number. It takes some of the heat out of the talk.
Someone made you an offer
An unsolicited offer can be low, high or just vague. A valuation tells you which before you answer.
You have been running on a rule of thumb
Industry rules like a multiple of sales miss a lot. Two shops with the same revenue can be worth very different amounts.
Your business has changed a lot
A new location, a lost contract or a big jump in revenue all shift the value. An old number may no longer hold.
What it costs and what changes the timeline
Our valuations are free and confidential. You do not pay anything, and there is no retainer. What does change is how long the work takes, and that depends mostly on your records and how your business is set up.
Condition of your books
Clean, matching tax returns and statements move fast. Mixed personal and business spending takes longer to sort out.
Number of entities or locations
Two locations or a separate company holding the equipment means more pieces to line up.
Real estate in the deal
If you own the building, it gets valued on its own. That can add time, and our Business and Property Sales page covers how those deals work.
Inventory and equipment counts
Large inventories or long equipment lists need to be checked, not just copied from the books.
How the valuation runs, start to finish
- 1
First phone call
We talk about your business, why you want a valuation and when you need it. We tell you what documents to gather.
- 2
You send the records
Tax returns, profit and loss statements, a balance sheet and an equipment list are the usual set. Once we have them, we give you a target date for the result.
- 3
We do the work
We recast your earnings, check the market and ask follow-up questions as they come up. If a missing record or a messy year slows us down, we call you and set a new date instead of going quiet.
- 4
Review meeting
We go over the number with you at our office or by video. You can ask anything and take notes. What you do next is up to you.
Common questions about valuations
Could my staff or customers hear about it?
No. The valuation is confidential, and we speak only with you unless you say otherwise. We hold onto your documents, and buyers see nothing unless you choose to sell and tell us so.
Is this a formal appraisal?
No. It is a broker's opinion of what your business would bring on the open market. If a court case, an estate or a lender calls for a formal appraisal, we will let you know so you can get that instead.
Am I required to list with you after the valuation?
No. Many owners get their number and wait a year or longer. If you later choose to sell, listing with us costs nothing up front, and we are paid only when the seller is.
How long will the valuation take?
Mostly it comes down to how quickly your records arrive and how clean they are. Once they're in, we set a target date. If something gets in the way, we call and give you a new date.
My books are a mess. Can you still do it?
Small businesses often have untidy books. We can work with them, it just means more questions. We will also show you what to fix before a buyer takes a look.
Find out what your business is worth
Tell us a little about your business and when you need the number. We will tell you what to send and when to expect your result.