Buying a business? Know what to pay before you make an offer.

Independent guidance on how to buy a small or trades business — what it's worth, how to vet it, and how to finance it with an SBA loan. From a source that doesn't take a cut of your deal.

What should I pay?

What should I pay?

How buyers value a business, what multiples are realistic by industry, and why the asking price isn't the value.

Valuation for buyers →

How to finance it

How SBA 7(a) acquisition loans work, typical down payments, and how to get pre-qualified before you offer.

Financing & SBA →

How to buy, step by step

The full process — search, evaluate, offer, due diligence, close — and the mistakes first-time buyers make.

See the process →
BizBuyGuide is independent. We are not a business broker or a lender, we do not sell businesses, and we do not take a commission on any deal. Our guidance and rankings are never influenced by payment. Where a listing is sponsored, it is clearly labeled and it never changes our editorial assessment.

Why this guide exists

Buying a business is one of the biggest decisions you'll make, and almost everyone advising you is paid to get you to close — the listing broker works for the seller, the lender earns on the loan. This site is the neutral corner: plain-English guidance for the buyer, with real data instead of sales pitches, built for the wave of people buying boring, profitable trades businesses from retiring owners.

Looking for a business to buy?

Tell us what you're after and we'll connect you with buy-side brokers and SBA lenders — free.

Get matched