Show the contract book by account
Separate maintenance contracts from installation projects. Explain renewal dates, cancellation rights and whether customers must approve an ownership change.
Map customer concentration without disclosing names too early. A large commercial account can make the business profitable and leave a buyer exposed if it departs.
Reconcile the trucks with the balance sheet
Create an asset list with condition, ownership and loan balances. Identify personal vehicles and equipment that are excluded from the deal.
Review payroll records and staffing responsibilities. Off book payments or gaps between financial statements and actual labor costs can weaken an otherwise attractive sale.
Demonstrate a manager can run the routes
Document scheduling, job costing and customer issue handling. A buyer needs to know who covers a supervisor absence without relying on you every morning.
Keep service standards and collections stable through diligence. A recent margin decline needs an explanation supported by monthly records, not a promise that it will recover.
Prepare the evidence before negotiating the price
Bring the contract book, payroll record and fleet list into one sale discussion. Your advisors can identify where the asking price depends on an assumption that needs evidence.
- Document Your Earnings Before a Business Valuation
- Prepare Your Lease for a Business Buyer
- Compare Cash at Closing With a Seller Note
Begin a private valuation conversation about the landscape business before choosing a listing date or telling key accounts.