Timeline
- 3-5 years out
Get a baseline value (calculator); clean up books; update the buy-sell agreement; start building a management layer.
- 2-3 years out
Grow recurring revenue (maintenance agreements, contracts, hygiene); reduce customer concentration; get licenses held by more than one person.
- 12-24 months out
Two clean years of financials; decide the route (family, employees, ESOP, outside buyer); model taxes with the after-tax calculator.
- 6-12 months out
Assemble documents; choose advisers (broker vs DIY); go to market. Main Street deals take 6-10 months to close (IBBA Q2 2026).
- Sourced value range for your trade and state
- The buyer types most likely to call you
- 3 fixes that move your multiple + a PE-offer checklist
After purchase we email you a short questionnaire, then your brief as a PDF. 14-day money-back guarantee. TradeExit Guide is not a business broker or appraiser. Refund policy
Succession routes
| Route | Price | Speed / certainty | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family | Often below market | Depends on readiness | Gift/estate tax planning, fairness among heirs |
| Key employees | Market-ish, often seller-financed | Moderate | Your note is their risk |
| ESOP | Fair market value (appraised) | Slower, more complex | Cost and ongoing administration |
| Outside buyer / PE | Highest headline at scale | Market-dependent | Earn-outs, rollover, your employment term |
What moves the multiple most
Across trades, the drivers buyers cite are the same: recurring revenue, low owner dependence, no customer over ~15-20% of sales, clean records, and people who stay. See your trade’s specific drivers on its valuation page. In dentistry, for example, the share of dentists affiliated with DSOs rose to 16% in 2024 (ADA HPI) - buyers exist, but they pay for practices that do not depend on one doctor.
Get the 3-year exit-planning checklist
A printable year-by-year checklist, from 3-5 years out to closing.
- Sourced value range for your trade and state
- The buyer types most likely to call you
- 3 fixes that move your multiple + a PE-offer checklist
After purchase we email you a short questionnaire, then your brief as a PDF. 14-day money-back guarantee. TradeExit Guide is not a business broker or appraiser. Refund policy
Frequently asked questions
What is the silver tsunami?
The wave of baby-boomer business owners reaching retirement age and looking to sell or pass on their businesses.
How early should I start exit planning?
Three to five years before you want to sell gives time to fix the issues that lower your multiple.
What increases the value of my business most?
Recurring revenue and reducing your own role. Buyers pay most for a business that runs without its owner.
Sources
- IBBA / M&A Source / Pepperdine Market Pulse, Q2 2026 highlights (accessed 2026-09-23)
- ADA Health Policy Institute - Dental practice research (accessed 2026-09-23)