Who this is for
- Owners thinking about selling in the next year or two, who want to know what to do first.
- Owners who have had an approach or an offer and want help weighing it up.
- Owners who want to leave the business in good shape, whoever takes it on next.
How we help
- Exit readiness review
- What a buyer will look at, and what to fix first.
- Commercial valuation guidance
- A realistic view of value drivers and price expectations. This is an indicative commercial view, not a formal valuation.
- Value-enhancement plan
- Improvements to profitability, operations, records and presentation in the 6–24 months before a sale.
- Sale preparation
- The business profile, key information pack and a data-room checklist.
- Buyer strategy
- Who the likely buyers are, and the trade-offs between deal types.
- Offer evaluation and negotiation support
- Comparing offers on price, terms, timing and risk.
- Deal process management
- Keeping the timetable on track and coordinating with the client's solicitors and accountants through to completion.
- Handover planning
- Transition of staff, suppliers and customers.
What you get
- A written exit readiness review, with a short list of what to fix first.
- An indicative commercial view of what the business could be worth and what drives its value.
- A value-enhancement plan with clear priorities and timing.
- A business profile, a key information pack and a data-room checklist.
- A note on the likely buyers and the trade-offs between deal types.
- A side-by-side comparison of any offers, and a negotiation brief.
- A handover plan for your staff, suppliers and customers.
Typical timeline
Preparing well usually starts 12 to 24 months before the date you want to sell, although even a few months makes a real difference. Once the business is ready, the pace of the sale is set by the buyer and the deal. We agree the scope and timing of our own work with you in writing before it begins.
Common questions
How early should I start preparing?
Ideally 12–24 months before you want to sell. Even 3–6 months makes a real difference.
Can you tell me what my business is worth?
We give an indicative commercial view of value and what drives it. A formal valuation, if you need one, comes from a qualified valuer or your accountant.
Do you work with my solicitor and accountant?
Yes. We coordinate the commercial side and work alongside them.
What will a buyer look at first?
Usually the trading figures and how reliable they are, how much of the business depends on you, and the state of your key supplier and staffing arrangements. Our exit readiness review covers these and tells you what to fix first.
DBS provides commercial consulting only. We do not provide legal, tax, accountancy or regulated financial advice; where these are needed we work alongside your own professional advisers.
DBS works alongside your own solicitors, accountants and other advisers. We cover the commercial side and leave the specialist work to them.
Thinking it over?
Tell us a little about your business and we'll come back to you, usually within two working days.
Start a conversation