When Should You Hire Company Valuation Services?

As you prepare to sell your business, your due diligence should include a proper business valuation. But when’s the right time for you to hire company valuation services? In many cases, owners lose value when selling their business because they waited too late for a valuation — a situation any small business owner will want to avoid.

Let’s take a look at a common scenario. You’ve been running your business for more than a decade. In the past few years, you’ve thought about selling, but you’ve made no concrete plans. Recently, your circumstances have changed: it’s time to sell your company. Before listing your business, you hire a company valuation service to determine the fair market value of your business.

The catch? Your business is worth a lot less than you thought. Worse yet, you no longer have enough time to sufficiently increase its value before it goes on the market. Suddenly, you’re looking at a much smaller nest egg for your retirement.

If you want to avoid this kind of situation, you should get your business valuated well ahead of time. This way, you’ll have an earlier sense of your company’s value. More importantly, you’ll have the time and the guidance you need to ensure your business will net the figure you expect to make your next move.

The Benefits of Company Valuation Services

A lot of small business owners think of valuations as little more than a formality. You need a number that you can stick on the price tag for your business. Company valuation services provide that number.

This line of thinking overlooks important benefits of getting a professional valuation. More importantly, it can lose you untold value when it comes time to actually sell your business.

A business valuation offers more than a simple dollar figure for the value of your business. It also shows you where that value comes from. What’s more, it can help you identify issues that are lowering the value of your business.

Using this information, you can develop a strategy for increased value. With help from a valuation specialist, you can come up with a plan that will strengthen areas of positive value and address areas of weakness. This way, your business will be worth much more when you finally list it for sale.

The benefits of this approach may seem glaringly obvious. After all, every business owner wants to maximize the value of their business when selling. But there’s an obvious drawback to this approach: it takes time and effort. If you wait until the last minute to have your business valuated, you won’t have the time you need to increase your valuation figure.

That’s why it’s a smart idea to hire company valuation services well in advance of selling your business.

When to Hire a Valuation Specialist

If you want to maximize the market value of your business, you need to start planning your sale well in advance. Rather than contacting a valuation specialist 3 to 6 months before you intend to sell your business, your initial valuation should take place 24 to 36 months in advance.

While this might seem excessive, it’s the only way you’ll have the time you need to increase your business’s value.

Let’s say you hire company valuation services 24 months ahead of selling your business. After your valuation, you learn that your business is worth less than half of what you expected. Accounting for the 6 to 12 months it will take to sell your business, you have roughly a year-and-a-half to address this deficit. If anything, you’ll probably regret not having valuated your business earlier.

That raises another important concern. Not only is it important that you hire company valuation services early, but it’s equally important that you find the right valuation service. If you hire an unqualified, inexperienced, or unreliable professional, you could end up wasting untold hours and/or dollars based on faulty advice.

Our suggestion? Contact your local Murphy Business® office to request company valuation services. All of our valuations follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Foundation (USPAP), as well as the Business Appraisal Standards of the Institute of Business Appraisers.

As business brokers, we also know what it takes to increase the market value and appeal of your business. We pride ourselves on working closely with business owners in preparation for business sales and transfers, including professional consultation and strategic planning for raising the value of your business.

One final note: While it’s best to valuate your business well in advance of a sale, that’s not always possible. Even if you’ve waited until the last minute, there are steps that you can take to maximize the value of your company and position it for sale. So make sure to hire a trusted and experienced valuation specialist!

Need company valuation services? Call Murphy Business (888) 561-3243 to connect with a local business broker and request a valuation.

How To Sell A Business in St. Louis

Are you looking to sell your company, but not sure if you need professional assistance? At Murphy Business, we know the ins and outs of how to sell a business. We've worked with business owners in St. Louis, Clayton, St. Charles, Maryland Heights, and Chesterfield to provide expertise on how to sell a business at a fair, competitive asking price. Like most business ventures, valuable industry contacts and a seasoned business acumen can be a game-changer. For business owners, getting expert insights from a trusted brokerage can transform the sale of your business. 

How To Sell A Business: 3 Reasons To Rely on St. Louis Area Experts

While you're an expert in running your business in St, Louis, you may not know how to sell a business while achieving a maximum possible profit. As your partner in selling, Murphy Business can help you reduce the selling period while successfully netting a robust price for your company: 

  • Increase your sales prospects. When you choose Murphy Business as your brokerage, you'll get the benefit of our international reputation, resources, and connections. We don't just know how to sell a business to St. Louis area buyers. We'll also target national and international purchasers with strong buying potential and a high interest in expanding to St. Louis. With an expansive range of prospective buyers, we can leverage your business at a lucrative price.   
  • A level head during negotiations. When you've built a business from scratch, it can often color your perspective during the deal structuring stage. At this crucial bargaining stage, it's vital to have an impartial third-party who can maximize your profits while providing a fair market price to the buyer. With Murphy Business, you'll have the advantage of trained expert negotiators in St. Louis who know how to sell a business while preserving goodwill between buyer and seller. 
  • An expedited closing period. Once a deal is struck, you'll want to start seeing earnings pretty quickly afterward. Our business advisers can help to shorten the closing period while still doing comprehensive due diligence on a buyer. With our global network of banking contacts, which includes firms that deal with traditional financing and small business loans, we can help you to minimize seller financing if that's a concern. 

You can focus on running your business, while we focus on getting you a great price with a trusted buyer. Call our expert team of business brokers at (314) 369-1436 to learn more about how to sell a business with Murphy Business Sales – St. Louis Central. 

Businesses for Sale in St. Louis: How Murphy Can Help You

When you're seeking businesses for sale in St. Louis, you want to bring in the experts. Business-buying requires expertise in negotiating, facilitating, and business management, plus a network of banking contacts, business assessors, and local industry connections. Murphy Business can help you achieve it all. We can help you buy a business on your terms, at a fair price, and with the discretion needed for transferring ownership. 

Businesses for Sale in St. Louis: Why an Intermediary is Important

Selling a business can be an emotional process for business owners, which is why it helps to have an intermediary reach out to businesses for sale. As a full-service firm, Murphy Business can help you with each step of the business buying process: 

  • Getting a fair market valuation. A Fair Market Valuation is an essential step to business-buying, using industry standards to reach a supportable opinion of a prospective company’s value. In turn, this will help you get a fair price for a business on terms that both you and the owners are satisfied with. 
  • Facilitating and negotiating. Purchasing a business can take time and significant negotiation power. When a deal is structured, it often requires procrastination and delay as key tactics. Our brokers are trained negotiators and facilitators, and can build a strong relationship with sellers to help secure a strong price. 
  • Confidentiality. A critical aspect of buying a business is discretion. Finding out that a business is for sale can have adverse effects on suppliers, employees, clients, and competitors. We can help both parties maintain confidentiality during the business-buying process for a more seamless transition. 

Expert Business Advice in St. Louis 

Murphy Business can help you navigate local businesses for sale with expert financial advice, buyer negotiations, and even assistance with financing. Acting as your business partner, our consultants can arm you with expert insights into the local industry, business management, and more. We'll also help you tap directly into our global network of contacts to access publicly advertised and private businesses for sale in St. Louis, St. Charles, Chesterfield, Maryland Heights, and Clayton. During the financing stage of the sale, our banking contacts can assist you with traditional loans as well as SBA small business loans. We can take your business-buying experience to the next level, with bespoke support at every step. 

For investors and entrepreneurs, Murphy Business Sales – St. Louis Central is your partner in business buying. If you're seeking businesses for sale in St. Louis, contact us today at (314) 845-7000.

Overview of Business Valuation Services in Kirkland

Business valuation, also known as business appraisal, is the process when a neutral third party conducts a defendable, impartial assessment of the value of a company, business ownership interest, intangible asset, or security. Having an unbiased evaluation from a professional consulting service can be vital when selling a company, liquidating a business, building a prenuptial agreement, and countless other circumstances. When you choose Murphy Business Kirkland-Redmond, business valuation services are just one of the many consulting services we offer. 

Choose Reliable and Experienced Business Valuation Services in Kirkland

To manage a Kirkland business, getting a comprehensive valuation from a trusted business valuation service will be necessary at some point. Having an accurate picture of the value of your company can help in any number of circumstances, whether it's because you're trying to deal with investors, building a partnership agreement, or dealing with taxes. Here are some of the common scenarios that services from Murphy Business can help you with: 

  • Sale, acquisition, or merger of a business
  • Planning for retirement
  • Trying to obtain financing 
  • Building buy/sell agreements
  • Disputes with shareholders 
  • Creating an exit strategy 
  • Dealing with divorce settlements or prenuptial agreements
  • Estate and gift taxes
  • Insurance, such as life insurance
  • Litigation 
  • Structuring a partnership agreement 
  • Appraising intellectual property 
  • Restructuring from a "c" corp to an "s" corp 
  • Creating stock option plans for employees (ESOPs)
  • Liquidation 

Our Business Valuation Services in Kirkland

When you choose Murphy Business, you're getting a business valuation service from an internationally reputed firm in Kirkland. Each valuation is conducted by a trained, expert appraiser who is up-to-date in every aspect of business transfers and valuations. Our reliable appraisers fully comply with industry standards such as the Business Appraisal Standards of the Institute of Business Appraisers and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Foundation. This compliance means that our valuations are backed and fully defendable. 

For businesses in Redmond and Kirkland, we offer the following business valuation services:

  • Business Valuation Report. A formalized summary of a business's value, used when selling a business or structuring buy-sell agreements with partners and shareholders.  
  • Business Appraisal Report. A comprehensive report with step-by-step explanations of how a fair value was assessed. Can be used for review by the IRS, in litigation support, and by third parties.
  • Calculation of Value Report. A calculated business value developed in compliance with national standards such as the IBA and NAVCA. 
  • Broker's Opinion of Value. Used by brokers, sellers, and buyers, this small business pricing helps to develop selling and listing prices.

Get business valuation services that are trusted and fully backed, by calling Murphy Business Kirkland-Redmond at (425) 679-6627. 

Overview of Business Valuation Services for Greensboro

With Murphy Business Greensboro, business owners can get comprehensive business valuation services that are impartial and defendable. At some point or another, every business needs a thorough valuation from a neutral third party. Whether you're building a partnership agreement, creating employee stock options, or liquidating, understanding the fair market value of your company can be vital. With Murphy Business, you get a local business with global connections and practices that are backed by national industry standards. That means sharp business acumen from experts you can trust. 

Comprehensive Business Valuation Services From The Experts in Greensboro

When it comes to business valuation services, Murphy Business can help business owners in Greensboro navigate how to proceed with a fair assessment of your company. Our experts are fully trained on all aspects of valuations, and are up-to-date on the latest developments, court cases, and issues. We can help you in the following circumstances: 

  • Financing or applying for a loan 
  • Liquidation 
  • Selling or acquiring a business 
  • Planning an exit strategy, retirement, or life insurance
  • Structuring a prenup
  • Divorce proceedings
  • Building a partnership agreement or stock options for employees 
  • Litigation
  • Estate taxes or gift taxes
  • Shareholder issues
  • Shifting from a "c" corp to "s" corp
  • Assessing intellectual property 

Choosing Business Valuation Services in Greensboro

As a brokerage firm in Greensboro, Murphy Business understands how necessary it is for companies to receive fair, impartial business valuation services. We strictly adhere to national standards, so you know you're receiving a defendable assessment that will hold up in legal and sales environments. For business owners in Oak Ridge, Summerfield, and Greensboro, we offer the following expert services: 

  • Business Valuation Report. This shortened report typically provides enough information to determine a fair selling price for a business, or to assist in non-legal purposes such as agreements. 
  • Calculation of Value Report. This report provides a calculated value compliant with national standards such as the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts. 
  • Business Appraisal Report. This formalized document can be used in legal proceedings and for third-party review. Includes detailed step-by-step of how the appraisal was conducted. 
  • Broker's Opinion of Value. The BOV is created specifically for small businesses. It presents a pricing report used by business brokers and sellers to determine listing prices for companies. 

Get a comprehensive overview of your company's value. Call Murphy Business Greensboro to learn more about our business valuation services, or to set up a no-cost consultation: (336) 609-7039.

Our Business Valuation Services for St. Louis

At some point, every business owner will need a comprehensive valuation from a reliable third-party assessor. Whether it's for partnership agreements, employee stock options, or putting your company on the market, a business valuation can help you understand the fair value of your company from an objective third party. You can enlist the trusted help of professional business valuation services from Murphy Business Sales – St. Louis Central. As a brokerage firm with a full staff of trained experts, we can provide you with an impartial assessment of your business.  

Business Valuation Services in St. Louis With A Global Reputation

With offices across North America, Murphy Business is a full-service business brokerage firm backed by a global reputation. We're able to keep updated on the latest trends, issues, and court cases related to business valuations. Our valuations are informed by national standards and the most recent developments in business affairs. That means our St. Louis staff can offer you fair, defendable business valuation services for any number of situations:   

  • Acquisitions, mergers, sales, or liquidation of a company 
  • Financing or loans, going from a "c" corporation to an "s" corporation, managing estate/gift taxes, or calculating stock options for employees
  • Navigating divorce process or premarital agreements 
  • Structuring exit strategy, retirement, or managing life insurance
  • Partnership or buy/sell agreements
  • Shareholder conflicts or legal proceedings

Business Valuation Services For St. Louis Area Businesses

Murphy Business has a full team of experienced, qualified appraisers who are fully fluent in every aspect of business valuation services and transfers. For business owners in Maryland Heights, Clayton, Chesterfield, St. Charles, or St. Louis, we can offer the following industry-backed services: 

  • Business Appraisal Report. This formalized document gives a detailed account of how our appraisers reached their assessment. It can be used for IRS reviews, legal proceedings, and more.  
  • Business Valuation Report. This standard, formal summary document is for non-legal situations and can help you reach a fair selling price for a business, structure a partnership agreement, and more. 
  • Calculation of Value Report. This report presents a value that's been calculated in accordance with national valuation standards such as the Institute of Business Appraisers and other organizations. 
  • Broker's Opinion of Value. This document is specifically designed for small businesses. The report can help determine a clear listing or selling price for independent businesses on the market. 

Get a detailed assessment of your business's value, from experts with a global reputation. To set up a free consultation on our business valuation services, call Murphy Business Sales – St. Louis Central at (314) 845-7000.

Business Valuation Services in Jacksonville

What is a business valuation? Also referred to as a business appraisal, it's when a third party assesses and develops a supportable opinion of value for a company, a business ownership interest, a security, or assets. Business valuations are a necessary and inevitable part of running a Jacksonville area business. Having a defendable assessment of your company from an impartial group can help you in any number of ways, whether you're buying or selling a business, structuring a prenuptial, or supporting a legal dispute.  As business consultants with a global reputation, Murphy Business Jacksonville can provide comprehensive business valuation services to your company.  

Business Valuation Services in Jacksonville With Industry-Backed Standards

With Murphy Business, you get business valuation services that are detailed, reliable, and in compliance with national standards. Our expert appraisers are fully experienced in business transfers, valuations, and other aspects of business affairs. They're also up-to-date on the latest issues in valuations and related court cases. That means they can help you navigate valuations, and can prepare neutral, industry-standardized reports for the following situations: 

  • Buying, selling, merging, acquisitions, or liquidation of a company 
  • Obtaining financing, loans, life insurance, or navigating gift/estate taxes
  • Structuring partnership agreements, planning retirement, or exit strategies
  • Developing prenuptial contracts or dealing with divorce proceedings
  • Litigation, shareholder conflicts, or appraising intellectual property
  • Building buy/sell agreements or stock option plans for employees
  • Going from a "c" to an "s" corporation   

Our Business Valuation Services for Jacksonville 

With a proven track record, a global reputation, and comprehensive industry expertise, our consultants can help you navigate the world of valuations and arrive at a fair, defendable price for your business. For Northeast Florida companies in and around Jacksonville, Orange Park, Yulee, Fernandina Beach, and Jacksonville Beach, our firm can provide the following industry-backed business valuation services: 

  • Business Appraisal Report. This formal, detailed report includes a step-by-step summation of how our trained appraisers assessed your business. Suitable for the litigation process, IRS, and others.  
  • Broker's Opinion of Value. Designed for small businesses, this report helps sellers, buyers, and business brokers to determine reasonable selling/listing values and exit planning. 
  • Business Valuation Report. For non-litigation scenarios, a business valuation report is a formal summary of your business's value. Can be used to structure agreements, the sale of a business, and more. 
  • Calculation of Value Report. You'll receive a calculated value adhering to national standards such as the Institute of Business Appraisers and National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts.

Get a detailed valuation from experts you trust. Contact Murphy Business Jacksonville at (904) 683-6655 for a free consultation, and to learn more about our business valuation services today.