ServicesBusiness Valuation
Business Valuation in Lockhart, TX
Before you sell, bring in a partner or plan your exit, you need a number you can lean on. We review your books and assets, then compare them with real sales of similar businesses. You get a clear value range and a plain explanation of how we reached it, kept confidential.
A value you can actually plan around
Most business owners carry a number in their head. Sometimes it is close. Often it is based on what a friend's company sold for, or on gross sales instead of what the business really earns for its owner. A valuation replaces that guess with a range grounded in your financials and in what buyers have paid for comparable businesses.
We start with your tax returns and profit and loss statements, then recast them to show true owner earnings. That means adding back the owner's salary, one-time expenses and personal costs run through the business. From there we weigh your equipment, inventory, lease and the risks a buyer will notice, and we show you each step.
The valuation is free, and nothing you share leaves our office without your permission. If you decide to sell later, our Sell a Business page explains what comes next. If you are not ready, you still walk away knowing where you stand.
What your valuation covers
Recast financial statements
We rebuild your last few years of earnings to show seller's discretionary earnings, the figure most buyers and lenders start from. Every add-back is listed so you can see exactly what changed and why.
Comparable sales review
We look at what similar businesses of your size and type have actually sold for, not asking prices. That keeps the range honest and tied to closed deals.
Assets and inventory
Equipment, vehicles, inventory and any real estate are reviewed separately. If you own the building, we can show the business and the property apart, which matters when you read our Business and Property Sales page.
Risk factors buyers will raise
Heavy reliance on one customer, a lease near its end or a business that depends on the owner every day can all pull value down. We point these out early so you have time to address them.
A walk-through, not just a report
You get a written value range and a conversation at our office or by video where we explain the reasoning and answer your questions.
When a valuation is the right next step
A sale is on your horizon
Selling might be a few years off. Getting the number now shows which parts of the business to strengthen and whether your timing is realistic.
Someone made you an offer
An unsolicited offer can feel flattering or insulting. A valuation tells you which one it really is before you answer.
A co-owner is ready to leave
When partners part ways, an outside figure gives each of you the same starting point and takes some of the heat out of the talks. Our Partner Buyouts and Succession page explains how that handoff usually works.
You are planning retirement
Your exit plan depends on what the business can bring in. A clear range helps you decide when to step back and what you will need from a sale.
Your books have never been looked at this way
If your accountant prepares returns to keep taxes low, your earnings may look smaller on paper than they really are. Recasting often surprises owners in a good way.
How the valuation works
- 1
A first phone conversation
You tell us about the business, why you are asking and what timing you have in mind. We explain what we need and answer any questions about confidentiality.
- 2
You share your documents
Usually that means three years of tax returns, recent profit and loss statements, an equipment list and a copy of your lease. Owners in Lockhart can drop them at our office, or send them however feels most secure to you after we talk.
- 3
We recast and compare
We adjust your earnings, review your assets and match the business against comparable sales. If something is unclear, we call you rather than guess.
- 4
We sit down and go through it
At our office or over video, we walk you through the range, the add-backs and the risks we found. You decide what, if anything, happens next.
What it costs, and what moves your number
The valuation itself is free, with no retainers and no hidden fees. What changes from one business to the next is the value, and a few factors shape it more than any others. Knowing them helps you understand your range and what you might strengthen before a sale.
- True owner earnings
- The single biggest driver. Clean, consistent books that show steady earnings support a higher value than numbers that swing year to year.
- How much the business needs you
- If customers, suppliers and staff all rely on you personally, buyers see risk. Documented systems and a capable team raise value.
- Customer concentration
- One customer making up a large share of sales can lower the multiple a buyer will pay. A broad customer base does the opposite.
- Lease and location terms
- A transferable lease with years remaining reassures buyers and lenders. A lease close to expiring can stall a deal.
- Condition of equipment and inventory
- Well-kept equipment and accurate, current inventory add value. Worn assets that need replacing soon get factored in by every serious buyer.
Business valuation questions
Something not covered here? (512) 337-8573
Is the valuation really free?
Yes. You owe nothing for it, and asking for one does not commit you to listing with us. Should you choose to sell through us later, there is still nothing to pay up front, since our fee comes only from a closed sale.
Can I keep this quiet from my staff and customers?
You can. Everything you tell us and every document you share stays confidential, and meeting at our office or by video means no one at your business has to see us come and go. Plenty of owners keep the whole process private until a sale is nearly done.
Will a lender or court accept your valuation in place of an appraisal?
Not always. What we prepare is an opinion of value drawn from recast earnings and closed market sales, and that is what most sellers need to set a price and plan ahead. Some lenders, legal disputes and estate filings require a formal appraisal instead. If your situation falls into that group, we will say so plainly on the first call.
What if my books are messy?
That is common, and it is not a reason to wait. Bring what you have and we will work through it with you. Part of the value of the review is showing you what to clean up before buyers see it.
How long does a valuation take?
It depends mostly on how quickly the documents come together and how complex the business is. A simple single-location business moves faster than one with several entities or owned real estate. We will give you a realistic timeline on the first call.
Find out what your business is worth
A short phone conversation is all it takes to get started. We will explain what we need, keep everything confidential and give you a value range you can plan around.