Knowing how to sell your HVAC business is the only guarantee of getting a lucrative offer. Learn how to do it the right way.
Key Takeaways
HVAC businesses are unique and there are several things to keep in mind when selling your firm
You first have to get all your financial records and other documents organized for easy scrutiny
It is also in your best interest to keep your sales process confidential to avoid speculation
Find the right time to sell your business, which should be when you are making profits and market conditions are favorable
Look for ways to increase your valuation before putting the business up for sale
Working with the right advisors will help you sell your business at a meaningful price and with meaningful terms
Finally think it’s time to sell your HVAC business? Want to get a lucrative deal that will set you up for life? This may just be a pipe dream if you do not know how to sell an HVAC business. Knowing how to sell your business is important if you want a handsome profit upon the sale of your company.
But first, note that HVAC businesses are unique in a couple of ways. They offer on-demand services to hundreds, if not thousands, of households because everyone needs air conditioning, heating, and ventilation. Demand for these services may, however, stagnate in certain seasons, affecting the income they generate. They also require access to specialized technicians and may run on thin profits due to high operating costs.
That said, the HVAC industry is booming and is expected to reach a $370 billion valuation by the end of 2030. With the right information and guidance, you can find a great deal when selling your HVAC company.
5 things to keep in mind when selling your HVAC business?
Putting up your business for sale requires a great amount of planning. Whether you are looking to venture into another business or simply want to retire, here are a few things to consider when looking to sell an HVAC business.
1. Keep it confidential
As much as you want to get the word out that your business is for sale, it is not advisable to announce it without a plan. Your staff may panic about any impending changes at the workplace, or even the loss of their jobs. Potential clients may also conclude that your business is not doing so well if you are in a rush to sell it.
Consequently, you may face disloyalty among your staff members and be shunned by potential buyers. This eventually lowers the valuation of your business and makes negotiations difficult. The best way to approach this is by talking to the right professionals who can set the ball rolling confidentially. They will help you create a perfect exit strategy and ensure the business can run successfully without you.
2. Get everything organized
There is nothing like too much preparation when it comes to selling your HVAC business. You will have to organize your books and understand the financial position of your business. However, this doesn’t only apply to your financial records. Be sure to also get your contracts, revenue statements, tax compliance certificates, and a list of key assets. Financial documents that span the last three years will come in handy during the negotiations.
Slowly pay off any debts before or while looking for a buyer. It can be difficult to sell a business that is knee-deep in debt. You can use the preparation period to identify any unpaid suppliers or equipment and pay them down. Offering a growth strategy for the future operations of the HVAC firm can also pull buyers in.
3. Increase the valuation of your business
Another important aspect of knowing how to sell an HVAC business is understanding that your business’ valuation will depend on a couple of things. This may include the number of clients you have, the size of technical staff, business cash flow, assets and property that you own, and more. Having a clear understanding of your valuation will ensure you don’t leave any money on the table while negotiating the deal.
Luckily, you can also streamline your business processes and operations to boost its valuation. One way of doing this is by increasing your profit margins before announcing that you are selling your HVAC business.
Less than 5% of HVAC businesses get more than 10% profit before taxes due to the high running costs they incur. But you can increase your profit margins by restructuring your pricing model, charging a premium for urgent services, adopting a recurring revenue model, and creating discounts for less popular services, among other tactics.
4. Sell at the right time
Investors do not want to bail you out of a loss-making entity and get themselves burned in the process. This is why you should sell your business while it is churning large amounts of profit. So, if you ever wish to sell your business, try to do it during a profitable period that will look good to potential buyers.
At the same time, you want to sell your business when the market conditions are favorable. Selling during economic downturns will not get you the best deal, as most buyers will be unwilling to pay a premium.
5. Work with professionals
Working with the right professionals when selling an HVAC business is important. The right advisors will save you time, get you a lucrative deal, and ensure you aren’t burned in the process. They will also help you break the news to relevant stakeholders and ensure smooth negotiations.
You can choose to walk alone when selling your business, but you are prone to making a lot of mistakes. The right professionals understand that HVAC companies are unique and have experience facilitating the sale of companies that offer such services. They also have access to a pool of potential buyers who may just give you the price that you want.
Let SF&P Advisors show you how to sell an HVAC business
Finding the right advisor to walk you through the sale of your business can be quite difficult. Not only do you need someone with the right knowledge, but you also need someone that will fight for you to get the deal that you deserve. At SF&P Advisors, we have several professionals that will work with you till the completion of your deal. Just take the first step and contact us today for a quick consultation.