Common questions about selling a facilities management business.

The typical timeline from initial conversation to completion is between three and six months, although larger multi-service businesses can take longer through due diligence. The early stages of valuation and buyer approaches take four to six weeks, with the remainder spent on meetings, offers, TUPE consultation, and legal completion. We never rush the process, and every sale moves at the pace that is right for you.

Most FM businesses sell for between 3x and 8x EBITDA. The range reflects real differences in contract length, recurring revenue, accreditation portfolio, TUPE workforce, the split between hard FM and soft FM, and sector diversification. A business with three plus year multi-service contracts and a diversified client base can command 6 to 8 times EBITDA. A single-sector, single-client operator typically trades at 2 to 3.5 times. Triple ISO certification alone commonly adds around 0.3 to the multiplier.

We maintain an active register of pre-qualified buyers who have told us the specific type of FM business they are looking for: region, sector, contract size, accreditation profile, and multi-service capability. Buyers include PE-backed FM platforms, national multi-service groups consolidating the market, trade acquirers expanding geographically, and qualified operators buying their first or next business. We match your business to the right buyers and create competitive tension by running a discreet matched process.

Confidentiality is the foundation of our process. We use anonymised teasers when approaching buyers and no identifying information about your business is shared at any stage without your express approval. All interested buyers sign an NDA before receiving detailed information. Your TUPE workforce, contract holders, competitors, and suppliers will not know you are considering a sale unless you choose to tell them.

The buyer pays our fee at completion, not you. Our initial valuation and consultation are completely free. There are no upfront costs, no retainer, and no fee if the sale does not complete. This removes the financial risk from the seller entirely.

Your workforce is protected by TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) regulations. Their employment terms, pay, accreditations, and length of service transfer automatically to the new owner. Most buyers actively want to retain your TUPE team because a trained, accredited workforce with contract knowledge is one of the most valuable assets in an FM business. We walk you through TUPE consultation requirements as part of the process.

The accreditations that move the needle on valuation are IWFM membership, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 (the triple), SafeContractor, CHAS, and Constructionline. Triple ISO certification alone commonly adds around 0.3 to the multiplier because it opens up public sector, healthcare, and blue-chip contracts that unaccredited businesses cannot bid for. SIA accreditation is valued if you run any manned guarding. Keeping these current before going to market matters more than most owners realise.

Yes, but owner dependency affects both valuation and saleability. Buyers pay more for businesses where the owner has stepped back and a capable operations manager runs delivery. If you are still running day to day, we can help you identify the steps that reduce owner dependency before going to market. Even small improvements in this area make a meaningful difference to the final price.

The FM market is in a strong acquisition cycle. Post-COVID, occupiers are consolidating their supplier base and moving to single-provider multi-service contracts. ESG reporting is driving demand for FM providers that can deliver environmental compliance. Private equity is actively buying platforms to bundle hard FM and soft FM under one roof. Multi-service providers with three plus year contract terms are attracting 20 to 30 percent premium multiples. The April 2026 BADR deadline is also creating active interest from owners planning an exit.

Everything starts with a confidential conversation. We will ask about your business, your timeline, and your priorities. There is no obligation, no pressure, and no cost. If you decide to proceed, we move to a detailed valuation, then a tailored buyer matching process. If you do not, we leave it there. Many owners we speak to are simply exploring options at this stage, and that is absolutely fine.