| HOW TO BUILD, BUY OR SELL a LANDSCAPE | | | | is a complex process, but here are the basics. |
| MGMT COMPANY: | | | | As a business owner, you should always be |
| In the past 6 months, I've had a number of | | | | thinking of your company's intrinsic value, and how |
| people ask me to advise them in valuing their | | | | you've achieved it. Most contractors look at the |
| business, or evaluate a business they're | | | | income statement (if they have one) at the end |
| considering purchasing. There's a lot of interest | | | | of the year and say "I made $100,000 net!" But, |
| and a lot of activity this year. | | | | using the same financials, you might have actually |
| So, what's a business worth? | | | | increased the value of your company by |
| To help you find out, you should follow three | | | | $350,000, or reduced the value by $50,000. So, |
| general rules. | | | | having the right information might mean a |
| 1. Start planning TODAY! You never know when | | | | $400,000 swing in real value instead of $100,000 |
| an opportunity presents itself, or when disaster | | | | profit! Do you see how your daily decisions will be |
| strikes. Ideally, you'll want at least 2-3 years | | | | profoundly affected by this new knowledge? |
| planning before selling a business. | | | | You have assets that you can sell, but I'm here |
| 2. Hire a professional or ask an industry expert to | | | | to tell you that you aren't selling or buying "hard |
| help you | | | | assets". This article may be reprinted as long as |
| 3. Maximize the guidelines listed below to bring the | | | | the Author information listed is included in the |
| highest price. | | | | article. |
| The first place to look is your own business. This | | | | |