How do I show a buyer my welding shop’s backlog and quoted jobs?
Keep three lists apart: confirmed jobs with a deposit or signed order, quotes still waiting for an answer, and repeat work you expect but have not been promised. Show dates, scope and status for each. A buyer will trust a backlog that admits what is uncertain far more than one that blends them together.
Confirmed work is your strongest card. For each job, note the customer type, the scope, the expected completion and how much has been done. If a deposit is held, say so. Tell the buyer what share of your capacity is spoken for in the coming weeks, in plain words and not in a headline claim.
Open quotes need honesty. List when each was sent, what you know about the customer’s situation and how often your quotes turn into jobs. A buyer will discount quotes that have sat unanswered, so tell them which ones are live. Do not present a pile of quotes as a pipeline unless you can show how past ones converted.
Repeat work is the softest. If a manufacturer calls every month, show the history, but do not describe it as contracted. Explain what protects the relationship. Ask your lawyer how to describe work in progress in the sale agreement, especially if the buyer will finish jobs you started. Your accountant can help present deposits and unfinished work correctly. Finally, tell the buyer which jobs depend on your personal skill or reputation, so they can judge honestly how much of the backlog will carry over.
Key takeaways
- Keep confirmed jobs, open quotes and expected repeat work on separate lists.
- Show how your past quotes turned into jobs, not just the pile.
- Ask your lawyer how unfinished jobs and deposits pass to the buyer.
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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 CanadaGovernmentHow to minimize negotiations when selling your business
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernment7 steps to increase your business’ value—before you sell it
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