Transparent Pricing — No Hidden Charges
Business Broker Fees in the UK Explained
Most business owners are shocked to discover how much traditional brokers charge. Here's everything you need to know about broker fees — and how Sell My Business gives you a better deal.
What Do Traditional Business Brokers Charge?
Traditional business brokers in the UK typically charge an upfront retainer of £2,000–£5,000 just to take on your listing — before they've found a single buyer. On top of that, they charge a success commission of 5–10% of the final sale price.
The True Cost of Broker Commission
On a £500,000 business sale with a 10% commission, you'd pay £50,000 to the broker — on top of any upfront fees. That's money you've earned and built over years, handed to a middleman. Most business owners don't realise this until they see the final bill.
What Is a No Sale No Fee Business Broker?
A no sale no fee broker charges nothing upfront. You only pay a success fee when your business actually sells and completes. This aligns the broker's incentive with yours — they only earn when you do. Sell My Business operates on a pure no sale no fee basis.
Sell My Business Fee Structure
We charge a single transparent success fee of 5% + VAT of the final agreed sale price — payable only when contracts exchange. No upfront fees, no listing fees, no marketing fees, no monthly charges. Nothing until you sell.
What You Get for the Fee
For your 5% + VAT success fee, you receive: professional listing copywriting, an Information Memorandum, simultaneous advertising on all 5 major UK platforms, NDA management, buyer enquiry screening, and ongoing support through to completion.
Is 5% a Fair Commission?
At 5% + VAT, we sit at the lower end of the market — and with zero upfront risk. Traditional brokers charge the same or double the percentage, plus upfront fees. Our fee is only payable on success, meaning we're as motivated as you are to get your business sold.
Common Questions
How much do business brokers charge in the UK?
Traditional UK business brokers typically charge an upfront retainer of £2,000–£5,000 plus a success commission of 5–10% of the final sale price. Sell My Business charges zero upfront — only 5% + VAT when your business completes.
What is a no sale no fee business broker?
A no sale no fee business broker only charges a fee when your business successfully sells. There are no upfront retainers, no listing fees and no monthly charges. You only pay when you receive money from the sale.
Is it worth using a business broker?
A business broker can add value through market reach, buyer vetting and negotiation support. The key is choosing one that doesn't charge upfront — so if the sale doesn't happen, you haven't lost thousands. Sell My Business offers all the broker services with zero upfront cost.
Can I negotiate business broker fees?
With traditional brokers, sometimes — but they'll rarely drop below 5% and almost always insist on an upfront retainer. With Sell My Business, the fee is fixed at 5% + VAT with no negotiation needed and nothing to pay upfront.
What's the cheapest way to sell a business in the UK?
The cheapest way is to use a no sale no fee service like Sell My Business — zero upfront, 5% + VAT only on completion. This gives you full professional broker support at a lower total cost than traditional brokers who charge both upfront and commission.
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