Sell Your Plumbing Company in Ohio
We help Ohio plumbing company owners sell. Residential service, commercial plumbing, drain and sewer, and new construction plumbing contractors.
We work throughout Central Ohio, including Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, New Albany, and nearby counties. Buyers range from experienced plumbers looking for their first company to regional groups adding crews and service areas.
Nothing is public. Buyers see a blind profile, sign a non-disclosure agreement, and are screened for funding before they ever learn your name.
For a plumbing company, buyers pay close attention to service mix, licensed employees, and how much of the daily work still depends on the owner.
How Plumbing Company Businesses Are Valued
Plumbing companies below roughly $1 million in adjusted earnings are generally valued on SDE. SDE starts with net profit and adds owner pay, personal expenses, interest, depreciation, and one-time costs. Larger companies are usually valued on EBITDA because a buyer expects to pay a manager.
Service and repair work, drain and sewer capability, membership plans, licensed employees, steady margins, and an independent dispatcher can support a higher multiple.
A heavy new construction mix, dependence on one builder, licensing problems, technician turnover, or an owner who handles every estimate can lower it.
The table uses completed private plumbing company sales reported by BVR DealStats.
These figures are a reference point, not a valuation. The size of the company, the quality of its earnings, and current buyer demand all matter. We review three years of financials and the add-back schedule before giving an owner a range.
| Metric | Average | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SDE multiple | 2.8x | 3.4x |
| EBITDA multiple | 5.5x | 6.0x |
| Revenue multiple | 0.56x | 0.70x |
Based on 233 private company transactions.
Source: BVR DealStats. Private company transactions with $250K to $10M in revenue, closed 2016 to present. Multiples are MVIC (total price) divided by SDE, EBITDA, or revenue.
What Buyers Look For
Service versus construction mix. Repair and replacement work carries better margins and repeats. New construction plumbing is lower margin and tied to the building cycle.
Master plumber license. Who holds it and whether they stay. If the license leaves with the seller, the buyer may not be able to operate on day one.
Membership or maintenance plans. Recurring revenue, even at small dollar amounts per customer, is valued well above one-time calls.
Drain and sewer capability. Camera, jetting, and lining capability adds high-margin revenue that many competitors cannot match.
Customer concentration. Many homeowners is a stronger position than a handful of builders or property managers.
Technician count and tenure. Licensed, retained techs are the capacity the buyer is purchasing.
Fleet and equipment. Truck age, jetters, cameras, and what is owned outright versus financed.
Owner dependence. A service manager and a documented dispatch process raise what a buyer will pay.
Common Problems That Kill Deals
Unlicensed or lapsed license work. Any history of work performed without proper licensing is a liability that transfers and a reason for buyers to walk.
Crew misclassification. 1099 classification for workers who function as employees creates back tax and penalty exposure.
Cash work off the books. Revenue that does not show on the returns cannot be valued or financed.
Municipal withholding errors. Ohio city withholding across job sites is easy to get wrong and shows up in diligence.
Open warranty and callback exposure. Undocumented repeat callbacks signal quality problems and future cost to the buyer.
How the Sale Process Works
- Valuation. We review three years of financials, build the add-back schedule, and compare the business with similar sales. You get a range and the math behind it.
- Preparation. We deal with reporting gaps, contract issues, customer concentration, and owner dependence before buyers begin their review.
- Confidential marketing. A blind profile goes out to vetted buyers. Names are released only after a non-disclosure agreement and a check on the buyer's ability to fund.
- Letter of intent. We compare offers and negotiate the price, structure, escrow, and transition terms before you sign.
- Due diligence. The buyer verifies the financials, contracts, employees, and operations. We manage the document requests and keep the advisors moving.
- Closing. Final documents, funding, and handover. Most prepared businesses close six to nine months after going to market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my plumbing business worth?
It comes down to adjusted earnings, service mix, and owner dependence. We give you a specific range after a financial review, not a rule of thumb.
Can I sell if my master plumber is leaving too?
Yes, but it narrows the buyer pool to buyers who hold or can hire a license. We flag that early and target buyers who can operate from day one.
Will my customers know?
Not during the process. Names are released only after a non-disclosure agreement and a funding check.
How long does it take?
Six to nine months from market to closing is typical for a prepared business.
Do I need clean books first?
Yes. Three years of financials that tie to your tax returns is the price of admission. We help you get there before going to market.
What do you charge?
A success fee paid at closing. No upfront listing fee.