How do I check how much of a locksmith’s work is emergency call-outs versus scheduled jobs?
Ask the seller for job records that show how each call arrived and when it was booked, then sort them yourself into emergency and scheduled work. Compare the mix across seasons, and check how the owner’s own time and after-hours availability shape those numbers before you accept any summary.
Do not rely on the owner’s description. Request a full export of invoices with the date, time of day, job type and customer. Sort them by whether the customer called in urgently or booked ahead, and look at when the work happened. Late evenings and weekends usually point to emergencies. Do this over a long enough stretch to include a busy season.
Then compare revenue and effort. Emergency calls may pay more per visit but cost sleep and travel, while scheduled jobs such as rekeying or installations may be steadier. Ask which type earns more per hour once driving time is counted. Your accountant can help with that analysis. Also ask whether a regular customer ever pays extra to jump the queue, since that habit changes how the calendar looks.
Find out who answers the emergency phone today. If the owner is on call all hours, a buyer may need to hire help or accept a very different lifestyle. Check whether the mix has shifted, whether a big contract drives scheduled work, and whether any single customer fills the calendar. Last, ask how customers find the business at night, because that source may not transfer easily.
Key takeaways
- Sort raw invoices by time and booking method instead of trusting a summary.
- Compare earnings per hour for emergency and scheduled jobs.
- Find out who covers nights and weekends today.
- Ask who answers the emergency phone when the owner is away.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentAfter buying a business, what is the next step?
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