What is a business valuation?

A business valuation is an estimate of what your company would likely sell for in today’s market. It reflects your financial performance, assets, industry trends, and comparable Florida sales.

Why is valuation important before selling?

A clear valuation helps you set realistic expectations, attract qualified buyers, and negotiate with confidence when you decide to sell your business.

How accurate is an online valuation tool?

Online valuation tools provide a quick estimate, but they rely on broad averages. For a lender-ready and buyer-ready valuation, you need a professional review based on Florida market data and real transaction patterns.

How long does a business valuation take?

Instant estimates are available through an online calculator. A full professional valuation typically takes three to seven business days once financial documents are provided.

What documents do I need for a business valuation?

You will usually need three years of tax returns, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, payroll information, and a list of add-backs or discretionary expenses.

What are the main business valuation methods?

The three main methods are: Asset based, which focuses on tangible assets minus liabilities; Market based, which compares your business to recent Florida sales; and Income based, which projects future earnings and discounts them to present value.

What is Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE)?

Seller’s Discretionary Earnings, or SDE, is the total financial benefit available to the owner. It includes net profit, owner salary, perks, depreciation, and interest and is the standard metric for valuing owner-operated businesses.

What is EBITDA and when is it used?

EBITDA stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. It is typically used to value larger companies with management teams and more formal structures in place.

What multiple applies to my business?

Owner-operated businesses in Florida usually sell for about 1.5 to 3 times SDE. Mid-market companies with management teams often sell for 4 to 6 times EBITDA. The exact multiple depends on financial quality, margins, customer mix, and risk factors.

Does owner involvement affect business value?

Yes. Businesses that operate smoothly without heavy owner involvement are less risky to buyers and usually command higher valuations and a wider pool of prospects.

How important is recurring revenue to business value?

Recurring or contract-based revenue is one of the strongest value drivers in Florida. Buyers are willing to pay more for predictable and stable income streams.

What factors increase business value?

Clean financials, diversified customers, documented processes, strong margins, recurring revenue, and clear growth potential generally increase business value.

What factors reduce business value?

Heavy owner dependence, customer concentration, declining sales, weak documentation, and inconsistent earnings usually reduce value.

How does Florida’s market differ from national trends?

Florida valuations reflect seasonal demand, population and business migration, tourism-driven sectors, and local lender standards. National averages rarely match these dynamics.

Can I increase my valuation before selling my business?

Yes. Improving profitability, building recurring revenue, documenting processes, and reducing owner dependence can all increase value before you go to market.

How often should I get a business valuation?

Many owners update their valuation every 12 to 18 months or before major decisions such as selling, succession planning, or refinancing.

Is now a good time to get a valuation?

If you expect to sell within the next 6 to 36 months, now is a good time. Early preparation gives you more options and a better chance to improve value.

Who performs business valuations in Florida?

Valuations are typically completed by valuation analysts, business brokers, and M&A advisors who have access to Florida-specific data and closed deal information.

How much does a business valuation cost?

Online estimates are usually free. Aniss Cherkaoui, P.A. provides a complimentary valuation as part of the selling process. Formal appraisals from third-party valuation firms often range from about 3,500 dollars to 10,000 dollars depending on complexity.

Will my information stay confidential during valuation?

Yes. Professional valuations and financial reviews are handled under strict confidentiality. Your information is not shared with buyers without your consent.

What’s Your Florida Business
Worth Today?

Discover your true market value with an instant Florida-specific valuation built on real sales data, buyer behavior, and current lending standards.
Whether you’re selling, retiring, or planning ahead, a clear valuation helps you make confident, strategic decisions for your next move.

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Aniss Cherkaoui, P.A. — M&A Advisor 20+ years of Florida deal experience
Trusted by business owners statewide
Serving Miami-Dade • Broward • Palm Beach • Statewide Florida

Why Florida Business Valuation Must Be Based on Real Market Data

Most online valuation tools rely on national averages and oversimplified formulas. Florida doesn’t work that way. Our market has unique buyer behavior, pricing patterns, lender requirements, and industry-specific expectations.

If you want a true sense of value, your valuation must reflect how deals actually close in Florida — not generic assumptions from other states.

A quick estimate is helpful before speaking with an advisor, and that’s exactly what the Most Probable Selling Price (MPSP) calculator provides. It gives you an early look at what your company might be worth based on Florida transaction data.

But the valuation that buyers, lenders, and private equity groups trust — the one that drives real offers — requires a deeper review by a Florida valuation professional.

That’s where I step in as your Florida valuation and M&A advisor.

As a Florida valuation and M&A advisor, I prepare value analyses grounded in real market data and actual buyer expectations. This gives you clarity before entering the market and helps you plan the right next step.

How I Build a Florida-Specific Valuation

Your valuation is shaped by the factors that matter most in real Florida transactions:

Real Florida Sales Data

Based on verified closed deals across the state, not national averages that rarely apply here.

Buyer-Ready Financial Adjustments

Financials are refined the same way buyers, lenders, and underwriters evaluate performance and calculate risk.

Industry-Specific Demand

Some Florida industries command strong premiums; others require strategic positioning to justify value.

Current Market Multiples

Updated frequently to reflect what buyers are paying today — not outdated formulas.

Financeability & Lender Standards

Because most buyers rely on financing, your valuation accounts for lender requirements, collateral expectations, and structure limits.

Operational Transferability

Businesses that run smoothly without the owner attract more buyers and command stronger values.

Together, these elements create a realistic, Florida-aligned estimate of your Most Probable Selling Price (MPSP) and give you a clear sense of your position before going to market.

Get Your Instant Florida Estimate Now Schedule Your Confidential Valuation Call

Three Valuation Methods Every Florida Owner Should Understand

Asset-Based Valuation

Focuses on equipment, vehicles, inventory, real estate, intellectual property, and goodwill minus liabilities. Best for businesses that:

Have valuable assets but low profit
Operate in automotive, manufacturing, construction, or equipment-heavy sectors
Are preparing for restructuring or legal settlements

Market-Based Valuation (Comparable Sales)

Compare your business to recent Florida sales in your industry and revenue range. Best for:

Retail
Trades and services
Restaurants and hospitality
Personal services

This shows what buyers are actually paying for companies like yours — in your region.

Income-Based Valuation (Cash Flow)

Projects future earnings and converts them into present-day value using realistic return expectations. Ideal for companies that:

Have consistent profits
Maintain clean, verifiable financials
Show strong growth potential
Appeal to financial or strategic buyers

Understanding Multiples and Which One Applies to You

Owner-Operated Businesses

Value is based on Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE).

Typical range: 1.5x to 3x, depending on:

Documentation quality
Customer concentration
Risk level
Growth potential

Reality Check: Buyers Set the Final Price

Valuation models guide expectations, but buyers ultimately determine the number.

Your final price depends on:

Perceived risk
Documentation quality
Market timing
Buyer competition
Deal structure
Transition expectations
Negotiation strategy

This is why preparation and positioning matter just as much as financial performance.

EBITDA-Based Companies

Companies with management teams in place often command 4x to 6x EBITDA, and sometimes higher when supported by:

Recurring revenue
Strong margins
Documented systems
Transferable operations

Speak With Aniss Cherkaoui, P.A. — Florida Valuation and M&A Advisor

Your business deserves a valuation that reflects its true market potential. Whether you’re preparing for a sale soon or simply planning ahead, the first step is clarity.

Schedule Your Confidential Strategy Call Calculate Your Most Probable Selling Price (MPSP)

Serving Business Owners Across Florida

Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Naples, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Statewide Florida

Your location remains confidential.
Your strategy remains personalized.
Your goals drive every step.

Florida Business Valuation FAQ

A valuation estimates what your company would likely sell for in today’s market. It reflects financial performance, assets, industry trends, and comparable Florida sales.

It sets realistic expectations, attracts qualified buyers, and strengthens your negotiating position.

Online tools offer a quick estimate, but they rely on broad averages. A precise lender-ready valuation requires a professional review built on Florida data.

Instant estimates are available. A full valuation usually takes three to seven business days.

Tax returns, P&Ls, balance sheets, payroll information, and detailed add-backs for the past three years.

Asset-based, market-based, and income-based valuation.

Seller’s Discretionary Earnings = net profit + owner salary + perks + depreciation + interest.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Used for larger companies with management teams.

Owner-operated: 1.5x–3x SDE

Mid-market: 4x–6x EBITDA

Final multiple depends on margins, documentation, and risk.

Yes. Businesses that run without the owner command higher valuations.

Very. Predictable income increases buyer confidence and value.

Clean financials, strong margins, recurring revenue, documented processes, and diversified customers.

Heavy owner dependency, customer concentration, declining sales, and weak documentation.

Florida pricing reflects tourism trends, migration growth, and local lending standards rarely apply.

Yes. Improve profitability, build recurring revenue, reduce owner dependency, and document processes.

Every 12–18 months or before major decisions.

If you plan to sell within six to thirty-six months, yes. Early preparation improves results.

Valuations are completed by analysts, business brokers, and M&A advisors with access to Florida-specific data.

Online estimates: free.

Aniss Cherkaoui, P.A.: complimentary valuation.

Formal appraisals: $3,500 to $10,000, depending on complexity.

Yes. All financial reviews and valuations are confidential.

What’s Your Florida Business Worth Today?