Selling a cleaning business takes several steps. With the right information and preparation, you can make the process as smooth as possible.
In this article, we’ll go over the steps you need to take to successfully sell your cleaning business.
5 Steps To Selling Your Cleaning Business
1. Determine the Value of Your Cleaning Business
The first step in selling your cleaning 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 cleaning 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 cleaning businesses are listed for sale. Then, apply those multiples to your business.
For example, if the average cleaning business is listed for 1.5 times their annual revenue, multiply your revenue from the last 12 months by 1.5 to get an estimate of your current value.
2. Prepare Your Documents
To sell your cleaning business, there are many documents that buyers will need to see. These include your financial statements, tax returns, list of customers, contracts, and employee lists.
Organize all your documents in one place so you can easily find and provide them to potential buyers. If you don’t have some of the required documents, start working on getting them as soon as possible.
You should also gather your incorporation documents, any cleaning business permits and licenses you have, leases, and all agreements you have signed (e.g., licensing agreements, employee agreements, etc.).
Next, prepare a summary of your business, including information on your history, your services, your competitive advantages, and your financial performance.
3. Find a Buyer
The next step is to find a buyer for your cleaning 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 cleaning business for sale, and this can be a good way to reach a large number of potential buyers.
You can also market your cleaning 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 cleaning 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 that are required for the operation of the business. 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 cleaning 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.
6. 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 cleaning 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 that are associated with your cleaning business.
- You may also need to cancel any insurance policies that are in place for the business.
Once you have taken care of these things, you will have officially sold your cleaning business. Now you’re ready for the next adventure!
Conclusion
Selling a cleaning business can be a challenging process, but with the right steps, it can be a smooth and successful experience. The six steps we’ve outlined in this article will help you sell your cleaning business. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect buyer and closing the sale.