How do I sell a waterproofing or foundation repair company?

Buyers of waterproofing and foundation firms are buying more than trucks and a phone number. They are buying a record of work done under the ground, and the promises that went with it. The more clearly you can show that record, the easier it is for a buyer to trust the rest. Preparation takes months, so begin well before you talk to anyone.

Organise the warranty register

List every past job that still carries a warranty, with the address, type of work, date and terms. Add the callback history and what each visit involved. A buyer who can see the full picture worries less than one who has to guess. Discuss with your lawyer who carries past-job warranties after a sale, since that may be negotiated.

Document the jobs

Keep a file for each job with the quote, photos before and after, materials used and sign-off. Good files show the standard of your work, and they help a buyer answer a homeowner’s call years later. Tidy files also shorten the diligence period, which keeps a sale moving.

Separate yourself from the work

If you do the estimating and sales yourself, begin handing that to someone else. Record who leads each crew, how long they have stayed, and what equipment the firm owns or leases. Our page on how selling a business works sets out the wider process, start to finish.

Choose your advisers

If you use a broker, ask whom they act for and how they are paid. Brokers are valuable partners in a sale, and a clear answer helps both of you.