Getting an HVAC, plumbing or electrical company ready to sell
Private equity has been buying residential and commercial service companies for years. The best prices go to owners who show buyers recurring revenue and a team that runs without them.
Rough value check
No. PX-0522Example figures are pre-filled. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
What raises the price
- Service agreements and maintenance plans. Recurring revenue is the first thing buyers ask about.
- Service and replacement work over new construction. Bid work for a few builders is valued lower.
- A technician bench that stays. Recruiting, training and retention are what buyers can't buy elsewhere.
- Size. Companies with $2M or more of EBITDA and several locations regularly clear the top of the range in competitive sales.
- Licenses and relationships that transfer. If the master license or the key accounts sit with you personally, a buyer will discount for it.
Published multiples by trade
| Trade | Smaller operators | Typical range | Top of market |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC | 3.0x | 5.5x to 7.0x | 10.0x |
| Electrical | 3.2x | 5.0x to 6.5x | 8.0x |
| Pest control | 3.3x | 5.0x to 6.0x | 8.0x |
| Landscaping | 3.6x | 4.5x to 5.5x | 7.0x |
| Roofing | 2.5x | 4.0x to 5.5x | 7.0x |
| Plumbing | 2.4x | 4.0x to 5.0x | 6.5x |
Multiples of EBITDA for companies with roughly $300K to $5M of EBITDA. Source: CT Acquisitions, 2026 Home Services M&A Multiples Report. Published ranges, not a valuation of your company.
Who's buying
Private equity platforms that already own trades companies and add one to three companies a year in new markets; larger regional operators; and family offices. Which of them pays most depends on your size, mix and location.
Fire and life safety, and other specialty trades
Inspection-driven work is among the most valued in the sector because inspections are required by code and repeat every year. Published ranges for these trades are thin, so recent transactions are the better guide.