[dave27]

I asking for advice as to what to ask for my window cleaning work?
Established 25 years +
Majority commercial rolling contracts
Any advice greatly appreciated

Also what should I have in place re records ect?

[Slacky]

I'll be selling in 6 months or so and am also established for 25 years. Ive spoken to a couple of guys who are also self-employed business owners. Im thinking of selling the round (customer database), all equipment for window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning and three websites all associated with window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning.

The figure I suggested to them that was touting around in my head was 50% of annual profits. They both reckoned if anything that was slightly on the low side. Its a starting place.

[zesty]

I'll be selling in 6 months or so and am also established for 25 years. Ive spoken to a couple of guys who are also self-employed business owners. Im thinking of selling the round (customer database), all equipment for window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning and three websites all associated with window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning.

The figure I suggested to them that was touting around in my head was 50% of annual profits. They both reckoned if anything that was slightly on the low side. Its a starting place.

Retiring?

[Slacky]

Emigrating. To Canada.

[cgh window cleaning]

I asking for advice as to what to ask for my window cleaning work?
Established 25 years +
Majority commercial rolling contracts
Any advice greatly appreciated

Also what should I have in place re records ect?

Where is the work based?

[ISCA]

Generally, businesses sell in multiples of profits, not halves.  So you will be selling yourself too cheap maybe.  Your sale to the buyer at half of your profits will mean that they get their money back in around 6 months.  That's a no-brainer for an investor. 2x-4x annual profits may be more realistic.

I'll be selling in 6 months or so and am also established for 25 years. Ive spoken to a couple of guys who are also self-employed business owners. Im thinking of selling the round (customer database), all equipment for window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning and three websites all associated with window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning.

The figure I suggested to them that was touting around in my head was 50% of annual profits. They both reckoned if anything that was slightly on the low side. Its a starting place.

[Stoots]

It's all well and good putting whatever price on it you desire but if no one wants to buy it in the time frame you need it gone you are struggling.

I've recently tried to sell some work at 6x which for established quality work I feel is more than fair. However coudlnt find anyone to buy it who wanted to pay more than 3x so I've just dropped a lot of it instead. Problem is if you need it gone quick you don't have time to hold on so perhaps the best time to put it for sale is when you have no rush to sell.

[Matt.]

I don’t know what u turn over or what u put into ur accounts to make ur profit.

Am just a small window cleaner I employ a lad as am to busy.

Jim comes along and wants to buy my work which is commercial only, in my head I don’t want to sell it but realistically everything has a selling point so for me I would want a years turn over to make me think about it. Anything less an I might as well crack on coz I got a decent paying job so no need to jack it. 
Ur profit might be a lot less/more than the nation wide guy who takes it or someone small who adds to his own round might rub it differently.

[Slacky]

Generally, businesses sell in multiples of profits, not halves.  So you will be selling yourself too cheap maybe.  Your sale to the buyer at half of your profits will mean that they get their money back in around 6 months.  That's a no-brainer for an investor. 2x-4x annual profits may be more realistic.

I'll be selling in 6 months or so and am also established for 25 years. Ive spoken to a couple of guys who are also self-employed business owners. Im thinking of selling the round (customer database), all equipment for window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning and three websites all associated with window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning.

The figure I suggested to them that was touting around in my head was 50% of annual profits. They both reckoned if anything that was slightly on the low side. Its a starting place.

Id be surprised if anyone had that kind of available cash to be honest.

[dd]

Generally, businesses sell in multiples of profits, not halves.  So you will be selling yourself too cheap maybe.  Your sale to the buyer at half of your profits will mean that they get their money back in around 6 months.  That's a no-brainer for an investor. 2x-4x annual profits may be more realistic.

I'll be selling in 6 months or so and am also established for 25 years. Ive spoken to a couple of guys who are also self-employed business owners. Im thinking of selling the round (customer database), all equipment for window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning and three websites all associated with window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning.

The figure I suggested to them that was touting around in my head was 50% of annual profits. They both reckoned if anything that was slightly on the low side. Its a starting place.

You are probably thinking of a business with employees.

As a sole trader you have to do all the work yourself. I cannot see many people buying a business as a sole trade and not earning anything for over 6 months, certainly not the 2-4 years you are suggesting.

[Scrimble]

the problem is you are not selling a business, you are selling a job,

Slacky - you as a sole trader make no profit after you have paid yourself, where as a business makes a profit after all expenses are paid, employees etc and can carry on when the owner is not there

remove yourself and there is no business, its more  a job, and why pay tens of thousands for a job when you can get one for free.

you will only get good money for the customer base if you can sell it to someone who already has a business with employees and can take advantage and expand there customer base by adding your customers into there customer base. it would be worth contacting some bigger window cleaning firms that cover your area and offer what you have to them

[ISCA]

Generally, businesses sell in multiples of profits, not halves.  So you will be selling yourself too cheap maybe.  Your sale to the buyer at half of your profits will mean that they get their money back in around 6 months.  That's a no-brainer for an investor. 2x-4x annual profits may be more realistic.

I'll be selling in 6 months or so and am also established for 25 years. Ive spoken to a couple of guys who are also self-employed business owners. Im thinking of selling the round (customer database), all equipment for window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning and three websites all associated with window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning.

The figure I suggested to them that was touting around in my head was 50% of annual profits. They both reckoned if anything that was slightly on the low side. Its a starting place.

Id be surprised if anyone had that kind of available cash to be honest.

There’s all kinds of ways to finance this kind of deal if cash isn’t instantly available.

Large companies might be glad to offload some cash to invest in this.

[ISCA]

Generally, businesses sell in multiples of profits, not halves.  So you will be selling yourself too cheap maybe.  Your sale to the buyer at half of your profits will mean that they get their money back in around 6 months.  That's a no-brainer for an investor. 2x-4x annual profits may be more realistic.

I'll be selling in 6 months or so and am also established for 25 years. Ive spoken to a couple of guys who are also self-employed business owners. Im thinking of selling the round (customer database), all equipment for window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning and three websites all associated with window cleaning, pressure washing and solar panel cleaning.

The figure I suggested to them that was touting around in my head was 50% of annual profits. They both reckoned if anything that was slightly on the low side. Its a starting place.

You are probably thinking of a business with employees.

As a sole trader you have to do all the work yourself. I cannot see many people buying a business as a sole trade and not earning anything for over 6 months, certainly not the 2-4 years you are suggesting.

I agree. But it’s also a business in a box for a new sole trader.

It’s easier to come down in price than it is to go up.

[Splash & dash]

Oh dear we are all going to die unless we enrol on a course 😂😂😂😂😂. Sounds familiar