HVAC services · fictional example · Charleston, SC · Financial year 2025
A planning range, not a guaranteed sale price. The central estimate is a reference point—not a promise.
Normalized SDE$330,000
Starting multiple range2.00–4.00×
Business-factor adjustment+10%
SDE estimates the annual financial benefit available to one working owner, before acquisition debt.
Adjustments depend on your answers. Supporting documents have not been reviewed.
We’re using a broad planning range because the available evidence does not provide a sufficiently matched benchmark for this business and earnings basis.
The 2–4× starting range and all percentage adjustments are invented for this sample. They illustrate how a report works, not Atlantic Coast industry benchmarks or production weights.
Valuably brings together your earnings, researched industry transaction data and business-specific factors within Atlantic Coast’s valuation framework. Our valuation and M&A experience informs the questions and the closer review available with an advisor.
This is an automated estimate. Your financials and this result have not been individually reviewed by our team.The illustrative midpoint of 3.00× is adjusted by 10% for the business factors below. The lower and upper estimates are widened by 0% for approximate or unresolved inputs. Those percentages are model assumptions, not measured probabilities. Sector comparisons do not establish a precise multiple for your individual business.
See which factors support value and which deserve attention. Select a factor to understand the reason and your next step.
Growing earnings support the outlook when the growth is repeatable.
Document what is driving changes in earnings, not just revenue.
Combined adjustment is capped between −25% and +20%. These weights are planning assumptions and have not been statistically calibrated against sale outcomes. Colors show direction and size of the modeled adjustment, not a measured probability or a guaranteed change in sale price.
A buyer needs the business to cover the acquisition loan while leaving room to operate. Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) asks: for every $1 of loan payments, how much cash is available?
At 1.50×, $1.50 is available for every $1 owed: a 50¢ cushion. At 1.00×, all available cash goes to the loan. Below 1.00×, the example falls short.
We start with SDE, set aside pay for the working buyer and an equipment reserve, then compare what remains with the annual loan payments.
Using your estimate of annual pay for the owner’s role. This is not an independently verified salary.
These inputs are the amounts used in this illustration. Change them to explore a different scenario.
About $1.44 available for every $1 of annual loan payments.
Cash left after this illustrated acquisition loan. This is not owner take-home pay; excluded cash needs still matter.
10% down · 10.5% interest · 10 years. Example assumptions, not a loan quote or approval. Includes $90,000 for buyer compensation and $12,000 capital reserve; excludes fees, taxes, working-capital financing and other debts. A lender’s calculation may differ.
Flip through your story. See what you shared, why it matters and how it shaped the assessment.
Managing people and operations · One working owner
The answers behind this part of your storyA buyer needs to know which responsibilities and working-owner roles must be carried forward.
Your owner-dependence answer is reflected in the existing value driver. These role details add handover context without a second percentage adjustment.
Operating business value assumes ordinary operating equipment and inventory. Real estate, excess cash and seller debt are excluded. Working capital and asset inclusions must be reconciled with an advisor; transaction datasets can use different conventions.
This educational estimate is based on self-reported inputs and limited public benchmarks. It is not an appraisal, tax valuation, financing commitment, or an estimate of your personal proceeds.
See how seller debt and selling costs change the picture. Build a scenario to discuss with your CPA, with an optional tax allowance you supply.
Interactive planning tool · Your valuation stays unchangedA simple, whole-business cash-sale scenario. Start with a price, then enter the seller’s debt payoff and selling costs. Enter 0 only when none apply.
Enter the debt and selling costs to see the bridge. Unknown amounts stay unknown.
Assumes 100% of the business sells for cash. Excludes retained cash, working-capital adjustments, escrow, seller notes, earnouts and ownership splits. Those terms need a separate reconciliation with your advisors. This illustration stays on this page; it is not saved or included in the report PDF.
Why sale taxes need a separate review ↗A free conversation with Atlantic Coast can turn today’s estimate into a more informed next step.
Talk about your business, your goals and the timing that works for you.
If you choose to continue, an NDA comes before financial documents in our separate valuation portal.
Review your options, your target outcome and a practical path toward it.
Visit Atlantic Coast ONE TEAM. YOUR CORNER.Meet with an available team member. We bring in colleagues with relevant expertise as your plans develop.
Choose an available time on our shared calendar.
Your request goes to Kégan English at Atlantic Coast.
Model public-teaching-example · Benchmark set fictional-not-production · Educational planning estimate
