Insights for A/E Business Owners

Specialized business brokers for A/E/LS firms provide industry-specific valuation expertise, SBA lending navigation, and deal structures that deliver near 100% cash at closing. They guide owners through 5-7 year succession plans using employee buyouts and the Step-Up Legacy Plan™ instead of risky seller financing. This expertise ensures maximum exit proceeds while preserving firm culture and client relationships.

Business owners are still active after they sell their businesses.

The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ enables A/E/LS firm owners to sell to employees with 100% cash at closing using SBA 7(a) loans requiring just 10% down payment. This 5-7 year succession strategy eliminates costly ESOP setup fees and seller financing risks while preserving firm culture. Best suited for firms with $1M-$8M revenue seeking streamlined employee ownership transitions.

When we talk about building value in the context of Exit Planning, we ask the following questions: 1. What is the company’s current value? 2. What value must the company achieve to enable its owner to reach his or her lifetime income and other Exit Objectives? 3. Which tactics can owners employ to close any gaps between today’s business value and the value they need upon exiting? 4. How can owners transfer business value most efficiently (in terms of taxes and otherwise)?

We sell architectural, engineering and land surveying businesses and healthcare practices across the nation.

We sell engineering businesses. We start by determining the value of you business and then investing a significant amount of time preparing the business for sale.

A/E firm owners can now sell to family or employees while receiving near 100% cash at closing through the Step-Up Legacy Plan™ and SBA 7(a) financing with just 10% down. This approach preserves firm culture and avoids costly ESOP complexities or seller financing risks. Planning 5-7 years ahead maximizes value for firms between $1M-$8M revenue.

Transform your A/E/LS firm's owner-dependent knowledge into documented systems and SOPs that drive higher valuations and enable SBA-backed employee buyouts. This 5-7 year systematization approach reduces lender risk and supports the Step-Up Legacy Plan™ for nearly 100% cash at closing. Learn practical implementation steps to convert intangible expertise into bankable succession assets.

If you have a goal to sell your business in five years and you do not do anything to prepare for the sale, are you going to sell your business?

The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ enables A/E firm owners to receive nearly 100% cash at closing through employee buyouts using SBA 7(a) financing with just 10% buyer equity. This 5-7 year succession strategy offers a cost-effective alternative to ESOPs while preserving firm culture and legacy. Current SBA rates range 10.25%-13.75% with up to 90% financing available for qualified transactions.

The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ enables A/E firm owners to receive near 100% cash at closing while employees become owners using SBA 7(a) financing. This 5-7 year succession roadmap costs less than ESOPs and eliminates seller financing requirements. Current 2025 SBA rates range from 10.25%-13.75% with only 5-10% down payments required from employee buyers.

A/E firm owners can choose between third-party sales offering immediate cash or insider employee buyouts that preserve culture and legacy. SBA 7(a) loans now allow employee buyers to finance up to 90% with just 10% down, while the Step-Up Legacy Plan provides sellers nearly 100% cash at closing without seller financing risks.

The Step-Up Legacy Plan enables architectural firm owners to sell to employees in 2025 with 100% cash at closing using SBA 7a financing at 10.25%-13.75% rates. This 5-7 year succession strategy avoids costly ESOPs and seller financing while preserving firm culture. Current EBITDA multiples average 5x with proper preparation.

Architectural / structural engineering business for sale in the Chicago Area. This business idoes inspections for relocation companies, banks and an insurance company. Consistent and predictable cash flow.

The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ enables A/E/LS firm owners to sell to employees without costly ESOPs while receiving up to 100% cash at closing. This 5-7 year succession strategy uses SBA financing with 10% down despite 2025 rates of 10.5%-15.5%. Avoid $150K+ ESOP setup costs and seller financing risks while preserving firm culture and legacy.

Most owners think they know how much money they will need to “retire” comfortably. Most owners are wrong. Owners start with the less-than-realistic assumption that they will receive all cash at closing for the sale of their companies.

This guide outlines a 5-7 year succession planning framework for A/E firms using SBA 7(a) financing and the Step-Up Legacy Plan™ to achieve near 100% cash at closing. Learn how to groom employee buyers, structure bankable deals with only 10% down, and avoid costly ESOP alternatives. Current market conditions show 70% SBA approval rates and 4x-7x EBITDA valuations for well-prepared firms.

This 5-7 year succession roadmap helps A/E/LS firm owners maximize value through structured due diligence, leadership development, and SBA financing preparation. The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ enables near 100% cash at closing with current SBA 7(a) rates of 10.25%-13.75% and only 10% down payment required. Follow this timeline to achieve 4x-7x EBITDA multiples while preserving firm culture through employee ownership.

The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ helps A/E firm owners create a 5-7 year succession roadmap that preserves company culture while ensuring near 100% cash at closing. This strategy leverages SBA 7(a) loans offering up to 90% financing with 5-10% down payments, eliminating costly ESOP fees and seller financing risks. Perfect for owners who plan to stay involved long-term but want financial security and legacy protection.

Financial independence should be the primary goal when planning your A/E firm exit, requiring precise cash needs assessment and realistic market valuations. The Step-Up Legacy Plan enables near 100% cash at closing through SBA 7(a) loans, allowing employees to buy with just 10% down while avoiding risky seller financing. Start planning 5-7 years ahead to maximize firm value and secure your retirement through proven succession strategies.

Engineering Business for sale that provides all types of engineering disciplines to private and public clients. Some clients date back over 40 years.

Modern incentive plans including golden handcuffs and deferred compensation help A/E/LS firms retain key employees during critical 5-7 year succession planning. SBA 7(a) loans with 10% down enable employee buyouts while the Step-Up Legacy Plan delivers near 100% cash at closing to sellers. Strategic retention programs align with financing requirements to maximize exit value.

The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ enables A/E/LS firm owners to receive near 100% cash at closing through employee buyouts using SBA 7(a) financing. This 5-7 year succession strategy leverages current SBA programs that finance up to 90% of purchases with just 10% down. A cost-effective alternative to ESOPs that preserves legacy while ensuring retirement security.

This comprehensive guide outlines a 5-7 year succession plan to maximize your A/E firm's sale value through the Step-Up Legacy Plan™, enabling 100% cash at closing via SBA 7(a) loans. Learn how to groom leadership, enhance financials, and secure employee buyouts with only 10% down payment required from buyers. Current market multiples range 4x-5x EBITDA with rising private equity interest driving valuations higher.

The Irrelevance Strategy outlines a 5-7 year succession plan for A/E firm owners to delegate leadership while securing employee buyouts through SBA financing. Employees can acquire ownership with just 10% down using SBA 7(a) loans while sellers receive near 100% cash at closing. This approach avoids costly ESOP fees and preserves firm culture through internal transitions.

This comprehensive legal audit guide helps A/E/LS firm owners prepare for succession by reviewing corporate governance, contracts, employment agreements, and IP protection. The audit aligns with SBA financing requirements enabling employee buyouts with 5-10% down while sellers receive near 100% payment at closing. Essential for firms planning ownership transition in the next 5-7 years.

This diagnostic helps A/E/LS firm owners decide whether to keep or sell their business using 2025 market data and SBA financing options. Learn about the Step-Up Legacy Plan™ that delivers near 100% cash at closing while preserving firm culture through employee ownership. Includes a 5-7 year action plan with current EBITDA multiples of 4x-7x and SBA rates from 10.25%-13.75%.

Bank support is crucial for A/E firm exits, with 2025 SBA 7(a) loans requiring 10% down and offering rates between 10.25%-13.75%. The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ enables sellers to receive 100% cash at closing through employee buyouts while avoiding seller financing risks. Strategic bank relationships and early engagement maximize deal success.

Insider ownership transitions enable A/E/LS firm owners to sell to trusted employees using SBA 7(a) financing and the Step-Up Legacy Plan™, delivering near 100% cash at closing. Current 2025 rates range 10.25%-13.75% with buyers needing only 5-10% down payment. This 5-8 year succession strategy preserves firm culture while maximizing seller liquidity without ESOP complexity.

Learn how to accurately value your A/E/LS firm using EBITDA multiples of 4x-7x, revenue stability, and operational factors like client diversification. This guide covers the Step-Up Legacy Plan for achieving near 100% cash at closing and avoiding seller financing risks. Start your 5-7 year succession roadmap today to maximize firm value and preserve your legacy.

This 10-step exit roadmap helps A/E firm owners maximize valuations of 5x-13x EBITDA and receive near 100% cash at closing in 2025's evolving market. The guide covers business valuation, deal team assembly, confidential marketing, and SBA 7(a) financing options for employee buyouts. Starting 5-7 years before exit optimizes results and preserves firm legacy.

Learn how banks and SBA value A/E/LS firms for employee buyouts, with 2024-2025 EBITDA multiples at 4x-5x and SBA loan rates from 10.25%-15.25%. The Step-Up Legacy Plan enables sellers to receive near 100% cash at closing through strategic 5-7 year preparation focused on leadership development and financial transparency.

Surveying firm for sale in Florida that is the dominate surveyor in their market having provided boundary and topographic surveys from 1/4 to 1600 acres.

General Dental Practice for sale in the Washington DC area. Gross collections exceed $500,000.00 per year.

Learn how to fairly transfer your A/E/LS firm to a child by recognizing sweat equity rather than splitting shares equally among siblings. This guide covers 5-7 year succession timelines using SBA 7(a) loans with 10% down payment and hybrid deal structures like the Step-Up Legacy Plan™. Get cash at closing while preserving family harmony through proper governance frameworks.

Expert advisors help A/E/LS firm owners navigate SBA 7(a) financing at 7.25% rates and structure employee buyouts that deliver near 100% cash at closing. The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ offers a streamlined alternative to costly ESOPs for firms with $1M-$8M revenue. This 5-7 year succession roadmap ensures legacy preservation while maximizing seller payout and buyer qualification through proven deal structuring.

The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ enables A/E/LS firm owners to sell to trusted employees while receiving near 100% cash at closing without seller financing or ESOP costs. This 5-7 year succession strategy leverages 2025 SBA 7(a) financing requiring only ~10% buyer equity and delivers 4x-7x EBITDA valuations. Ideal for firms with $1M-$8M revenue seeking to preserve culture and secure full seller liquidity.

Massachusetts engineering business sold testimonial. We sell architectural, engineering, and land surveying businesses.

We help you value your dental practice, prepare your business for sale, and find a buyer for your practice that works for you and your patients.

Employee buyouts using SBA 7(a) loans allow A/E firm owners to receive near 100% cash at closing while employees acquire ownership with just 10% down payment. The Step-Up Legacy Plan provides a 5-7 year roadmap that avoids costly ESOP structures and preserves firm culture. Current SBA rates range from 10.25% to 13.75% with financing up to 90% of purchase price for firms valued $1M-$8M.

If there was ever a time to stay focused on your company, its the period during which you negotiate the sale of your business (often six months or more). Any drop in company productivity, sales, or income is like blood in the water and will be subject to the buyer’s scrutiny and has the potential to scuttle even the best deal.

You can’t just wait until you are ready to leave your business to find out how much “value” you need or want and how much “value” exists in your business. By then it will be too late.

The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ enables A/E firm owners to exit with near 100% cash at closing using updated 2025 SBA 7(a) financing rules. Employees can acquire firms with just 10% down payment while avoiding costly ESOP complexities. This 5-7 year structured approach maximizes valuations and preserves firm culture.

Owning a business involves starting from scratch. You have to develop ideas and create the company from the ground up.

Ultimately your success is not determined by how well you ran your business, but by how well the business runs without you. If you cannot be replaced, your business can not be sold to an insider or an outside third party. We Want to fix that!

This updated succession roadmap outlines a 5-7 year strategic plan for A/E/LS firm owners using the Step-Up Legacy Plan™ to achieve near 100% cash at closing. Current SBA 7(a) loans offer 90% financing with 10% down at 10.25%-13.75% rates, enabling employee buyouts while preserving firm culture. Essential planning includes leadership development, financial cleanup, and proactive estate planning before 2026 tax changes.

When buying a business, ideally you will have 15% to put down. However, in some cases, you can put down as little as 10% of the purchase price.

Six hidden factors kill A/E firm valuations including owner dependency, customer concentration, and weak financials. This guide shows how a 5-7 year succession plan with SBA 7a financing enables employee buyouts with 10% down and near 100% cash at closing. Learn the Step-Up Legacy Plan alternative to costly ESOPs.

The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ offers A/E firm owners a 5-7 year insider sale strategy delivering near 100% cash at closing with SBA 7(a) financing requiring only 5-10% down payment. This structured approach eliminates seller financing risks and costly ESOP setup fees while preserving firm culture through trusted employee ownership. Learn the disciplined roadmap including leadership development, financial cleanup, and early bank engagement for successful succession planning.

This guide explores five buyer types for A/E firm succession: strategic buyers, financial investors, entrepreneurs, competitors, and internal successors. Learn how SBA 7(a) loans enable employee buyouts with just 10% down while sellers receive 100% cash at closing. The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ offers a streamlined alternative to costly ESOP structures for firms with $1M-$8M revenue.

SBA 7(a) financing now enables A/E firm employees to buy their company with just 5% down payment while sellers receive near 100% cash at closing. Current 2025 rates range from 10.25%-13.75%, and the Step-Up Legacy Plan offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional ESOPs. This guide outlines the 5-7 year implementation process for firms with $1M-$8M revenue.

The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ enables A/E/LS firm owners to receive 90-100% cash at closing while employees become owners through updated 2025 SBA financing. This 5-7 year structured approach avoids costly ESOP complexity and seller financing risks. Learn the step-by-step roadmap from leadership grooming to bank engagement for firms with $1M-$8M revenue.

SBA 7(a) loans offer 90% financing with 10% down for A/E firm acquisitions in 2025, with rates between 10.25%-13.75% and up to 25-year terms. The Step-Up Legacy Plan provides near 100% cash at closing as an ESOP alternative for firms with $1M-$8M revenue. This guide outlines the 5-7 year succession roadmap including leadership development, financial cleanup, and strategic lender engagement.

Selling an engineering business involves knowing how to price the business, prepare it for sale and having the network / ability to sell it. John Noonan shares his experience in working with Allen Business Advisors.

The Step-Up Legacy Plan offers A/E/LS firm owners a practical ESOP alternative using SBA 7(a) loans with just 10% down from employees while sellers receive 90-100% cash at closing. This 5-7 year succession strategy eliminates the $150,000+ ESOP setup costs and ongoing trustee fees while preserving firm culture. Ideal for firms with $1M-$8M revenue seeking legacy protection without seller financing risks.

Because Jim had dreamed of selling his company at 60, he had given little thought to what would happen to his business and his family if something happened to him. So, Engineering Solutions died of an all too common cause—human error and neglect, setting off a chain reaction of ever worsening consequences for Jim’s family and business

We know that selling your business represents a significant goal and somewhat of a challenge for you. Many business owners with whom we work share your struggle.