Why does a chimney sweep’s autumn booking calendar matter before I buy?
Autumn is when homeowners book sweeps before heating season, so the calendar shows real demand and how far ahead customers plan. Ask to see this year’s bookings and last year’s, and compare them with the financial statements to check the story.
The autumn calendar is the clearest view you will get of a seasonal business at its busiest. Ask to see it for the current and previous seasons, with dates, job types and customer names hidden if the seller prefers. Look at how many days are full, how many have gaps, and how far ahead people booked.
Compare the calendar with the invoices and the financial statements. Do the busy periods match the income? Are some bookings repeat customers and others new? A calendar that is full because the owner works very long days is different from one that is full because crews are efficient. Ask how many sweeps are needed on peak days, and who does the work.
Next, ask about the shape of the season. Do customers cancel, reschedule or call in a panic when the weather turns? How does the owner handle late calls? If you will be buying near the start of autumn, ask what bookings are already confirmed and what deposits, if any, were taken. Those commitments transfer a lot of work to you at once. Finally, think about the rest of the year. What fills the calendar in quiet months? A strong autumn can hide thin spring and summer income.
Key takeaways
- Review the current and previous autumn calendars, not only the summary.
- Match bookings to invoices and financial statements to confirm them.
- Ask what fills the quiet months so you can plan year-round cash.
Related reading
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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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