Business Exit Planning
Selling a Marine Construction Business
The decision to sell your marine construction business isn't something that should be taken lightly, especially these days. If a business exit is on the horizon, you'll want to check out our suggestions for staying ahead of the market.
Waiting for better economic times to sell your company? That's a common anthem in the small business community.
Most marine construction businesses are good business opportunities, a fact that is not going unnoticed by today's discerning buyers.
Maintaining Objectivity
Objectivity is a rare commodity in a business sale. Your estimate of your company's worth is probably skewed by your emotions and your close, personal connection to the business. It is difficult for many owners to accept the cold, hard facts about their company's worth, but objectivity is the name of the game in a successful marine construction business sale. A business broker can be a valuable resource in right-sizing your expectations and preparing you for market realities.
Working with a Professional Accountant
Accountants lay the financial groundwork for a business sale. Before your marine construction business goes on the market, you should sit down with your accountant to clarify your financial goals and the tax consequences of a sale. Brokers often advise their clients to have an accountant perform an audit of the business prior to sale. With seller financing becoming common, professional accountants are playing a more central role in negotiations and buyer qualification.
Selling to a Family Member
There is no easy way to sell a marine construction business, not even to a family member. Often, a sale to a family member creates fractures within the family. If you refuse to discount the sales price or offer other concessions, it could create a rift with the buyer. But if you give in to the buyer's demands, you risk alienating family members who may feel the buyer is receiving an early inheritance. If possible, discuss a long-term, generational transition with the entire family and seek the advice of a professional consultant.
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