Sale readiness check for owners

Ten questions show how well your business is prepared for a sale or succession. At the end you see where to act, with concrete advice.

Are the annual accounts for the last three years complete and prepared?
Have you adjusted your profit for owner salary, private costs and one-off items?
Does day-to-day business run for four weeks without you?
Is there a second management level or fixed contacts for customers?
Is your largest customer below 20% of revenue?
Are lease, customer and supplier contracts documented and transferable?
Are key processes, prices and access details written down?
Are equipment, vehicles and IT up to date?
Have you allowed at least two years for the handover?
Have you checked your asking price against a valuation?

Result

50% 10 of 20 points

On the right track The basics are in place. The points below raise the price and speed of a sale.

Where to act

  1. Are the annual accounts for the last three years complete and prepared?Accounts and current management figures are the first thing buyers and banks want to see.
  2. Have you adjusted your profit for owner salary, private costs and one-off items?Only adjusted profit shows what a new owner can earn. It is the basis of every valuation.
  3. Does day-to-day business run for four weeks without you?The more the business depends on you, the higher the risk for buyers and the lower the price.
  4. Is there a second management level or fixed contacts for customers?A team lead who stays makes the handover predictable for buyers and lenders.
  5. Is your largest customer below 20% of revenue?A broad customer base lowers risk. With strong concentration, long-term contracts help.
  6. Are lease, customer and supplier contracts documented and transferable?Check terms and change-of-control clauses before a buyer asks.
  7. Are key processes, prices and access details written down?A handbook for processes, pricing and systems shortens onboarding and supports the price.
  8. Are equipment, vehicles and IT up to date?An investment backlog is deducted from the price. Plan replacement investment early.
  9. Have you allowed at least two years for the handover?Search, due diligence, financing and onboarding take time. Those in a hurry negotiate worse.
  10. Have you checked your asking price against a valuation?A realistic price is the most common lever for a successful sale.

How to use the calculator

  1. Answer each question honestly with yes, partly or no.
  2. The result shows your level of preparation as a percentage.
  3. The areas to act on are sorted by urgency.

Frequently asked questions

When should I take the check?

Ideally three to five years before a planned handover. That leaves time to fix weak points.

Are my answers stored?

No. The check runs in your browser. The answers only appear in the address bar so you can share the result.

What do I do with the result?

Work through the areas to act on, then use the business valuation calculator to see how the value develops.