Broker appraisals for sale
Broker appraisals for selling your business
A market appraisal estimates what a buyer may pay using earnings, risk and comparable sales. Everest CPBB offers free, confidential appraisals; formal reports for legal, tax or lender purposes are a separate service through Everest Valuation.
How we value a private business
Valuing a small or mid-sized enterprise is no easy task. There is no live share price to point at, so value has to be built: from maintained earnings, the risk attached to those earnings, how transferable the business is to a new owner, and what comparable businesses are actually changing hands for right now.
Want a quick indicative figure first? Try the free business valuation tool from Everest Valuation, read how its valuation methodology works, or compare the common business valuation methods.
We combine sound economic rationale with practical market dynamics to arrive at a defensible number — one you can set your expectations by and defend to a buyer, your accountant and your bank.
What drives the number
- Maintained, verifiable earnings
- Risk — customer concentration, key-person dependence, lease and licence security
- How readily the business transfers to a new owner
- The size and appetite of the current buyer pool
Market appraisal
A broker's market view of what a buyer would realistically pay — used to set a campaign price. Free, confidential and typically completed within one to two weeks of receiving your financials.
Request a free appraisalFormal independent valuation
An independent, documented opinion prepared for legal, tax, finance or dispute purposes — court-ready where required. Our dedicated valuation service, Everest Valuation, handles these reports.
Visit Everest ValuationValuation FAQs
Frequently asked questions
How much is my business worth?
It depends on your maintained earnings, the risk and transferability of those earnings, the depth of the buyer pool and current market conditions. We build a defensible view of value by combining sound economic rationale with what the market is actually paying for comparable businesses. Start with a free, confidential appraisal.
What is the difference between an appraisal and a formal valuation?
An appraisal is a broker's market view of what a buyer would realistically pay, used to set a campaign price. A formal valuation is an independent, documented opinion prepared for legal, tax, finance or dispute purposes — our dedicated valuation service, Everest Valuation, handles those reports.
How long does a business appraisal take?
A market appraisal is typically completed within one to two weeks of receiving your financials. Formal valuation reports generally take two to four weeks, depending on the complexity of the business.
Does an appraisal cost anything?
No. The appraisal is free, confidential and carries no obligation — and nothing leaves our office.
When should I get a business appraisal?
Before you sell, when you are buying, for succession or estate planning, when seeking bank finance, and whenever business partners want an objective number to work from.
Independent city valuations for pre-sale planning
A broker appraisal frames your asking price; an independent city valuation can strengthen it before negotiations. Everest Valuation publishes dedicated guidance for each market we service.
What is your business worth?
Start with a confidential appraisal. No obligation, no cost, and nothing leaves our office.