Professional Guidance for A/E Business Transitions
Whether you're buying or selling an architecture, engineering, or land surveying firm, you need advisors who understand your industry's unique challenges and opportunities.
Why A/E Firms Need Specialized Brokers
Generic business brokers don't understand professional licensing requirements, project-based revenue, or client relationship dynamics that drive value in A/E firms.
We exclusively work with architecture, engineering, and land surveying businesses. We understand billing cycles, cash flow, and overhead rates and how to properly value firms with significant goodwill.
Services for Sellers
Services for Buyers
Why Banks Trust Our Deals
There's a third option. The Step-Up Legacy Plan™ gives you both—your employees preserve your legacy while banks ensure your financial security.
Industries We Serve
Architecture Firms
Engineering Companies
Land Surveying Businesses
Geotechnical Applications
Transportation & Infrastructure
Getting Started
For Sellers:
The best time to start planning your exit is 3-5 years before you want to retire. Early planning allows time to maximize value and prepare for a smooth transition.
For Buyers:
Whether you're an employee looking to buy your firm or a company seeking to acquire competitors, we help structure deals that work for everyone involved.
Why A/E Firms Need Specialized Brokers
Generic business brokers don't understand professional licensing requirements, project-based revenue, or client relationship dynamics that drive value in A/E firms.
We exclusively work with architecture, engineering, and land surveying businesses. We understand billing cycles, cash flow, and overhead rates and how to properly value firms with significant goodwill.
Common Questions
If selling to key employees, it usually takes 3 to 6 months. If selling to an outside third party, then 6-12 months from listing to closing is the norm. This is influenced by location, size, type of work, market conditions, and buyer financing.
The value of your business is based on the amount of cash flow it generates for the owner, the size of your firm, and the type of work that you perform. A rule of thumb is 2-3x Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) or 5-6x EBITDA (Note: most people calculate SDE and EBITDA incorrectly). It is highly recommended that you have a professional value your business.
SPECIAL NOTE: Banks will not accept the discounted cash flow method for valuing your business because this is based on projections. Banks always look at historical cash flow.
Yes, your employees can purchase your business. The bank requires a down payment of 10%. The employees can put down 10% or 5%, if you loan them the remaining 5%. Most employees access the money for a down payment from a home equity loan. Most of the time, there is more than one buyer, which reduces the individual contribution.
We have focused on selling architecture, engineering, and land surveying businesses for over a decade. During this time, we have attended, exhibited, and spoken at state conferences nationwide. Prospective buyers have told us they want to buy the types of businesses we represent. As a result, we have developed a proprietary database of prospective buyers.
Ready to Discuss Your Goals?
Whether you're considering selling your firm or looking to acquire one, we provide honest, unbiased advice with no pressure.
Schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your situation and explore your options.
