HVAC

I owned and operated an HVAC and plumbing company. I know what it costs to roll a truck, how hard it is to retain a master tradesman, and what happens to cash flow when the weather breaks.

If your work is primarily commercial construction — plan-and-spec, piping, controls — see the mechanical contracting page. →

What buyers actually scrutinize

Buyers look obsessively at your mix of residential versus light commercial, your percentage of recurring service agreements, and the true cost to replace your aging fleet.

What kills multiples

High owner dependence — where the owner is the primary estimator or relationship holder — and a heavy reliance on new construction bids rather than replacement and service work will severely depress your multiple.

What you should fix now

Convert informal maintenance lists into contracted service agreements. Separate personal vehicles from the business fleet. Ensure your management team can run operations without you present.

The closing mechanics

The transfer of the master license is the critical failure point. If the license holder is leaving post-close, you must establish a clear transition plan for the buyer to operate legally on day one.

How much is an HVAC business worth?

The method — adjusted EBITDA, add-backs, what moves a multiple — is covered on the valuation page. What's specific to this trade:

Service agreements as recurring revenue
Master license transfer at close
Truck fleet age and depreciation
Residential vs commercial mix

[Placeholder — 400–600 words to be written by the owner, covering the topics above. Any stated range must be attributed to a named source with a date, and must describe the market in general — never the reader's own business.]