Business Exit Planning
Selling a Moisture Control Business
Selling a moisture control business doesn't happen overnight. It takes a deliberate process to get top dollar for your company.
Waiting for better economic times to sell your company? That's a common anthem in the small business community.
If you're ready to move on, now is the right time to sell your moisture control business.
Sale Preparation Timeframes
There are no effective shortcuts for selling a moisture control business. For starters, the financials need to demonstrate a track record of profitability and growth. Next, the business will need to be documented in professional financial statements and manuals that facilitate the ownership transition. Since all of this takes time and effort, a moisture control business can rarely be ready for the marketplace in less than six months. A more likely scenario is that it will take more than a year to create the conditions necessary to receive the maximum sale price.
Advantages of Hiring a Broker
There are many reasons why hiring a broker makes sense in moisture control business sales. Right out of the gate, brokers know how to help their clients properly prepare their businesses for a sale. More importantly, brokers have the ability to identify serious buyers and maintain confidentiality throughout the sale process. Typical brokerage rates (a.k.a. success fees) run 10% of the final price - an expense that is usually recouped through a higher sales price and less time on the market.
Preparing Your Employees
As a business owner, you want to keep you employees informed about your plans; as a seller it's in your best interest to keep your employees in the dark for as long as possible. On the one hand, confidentiality is critical for a successful moisture control business sale. However, the longer the selling process drags on, the more likely it is that rumors will begin to circulate throughout your workforce. So at some point you will have to resign yourself to the idea of telling some or all of your employees that you have listed the moisture control business on the market. Above all else, it's imperative to encourage your workers to maintain a positive attitude and work ethic. If you're having trouble navigating the employee minefield, consult a business broker for advice.
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