Trades — No Sale No Fee
Sell My Trades Business
Sell your plumbing, electrical, cleaning or other trades business with no upfront fees. We reach qualified buyers across 5 platforms and only charge a success fee on completion. Trades businesses with recurring contracts are among the fastest-selling categories.
How to Value Your Trades Business
Trades businesses are typically valued at 2x–4x annual net profit. The quality of your customer contracts, staff structure, vehicles, equipment and any recurring maintenance income all affect the final figure. Businesses with Gas Safe, NICEIC or equivalent accreditations command the highest multiples.
Listed Across All 5 Major UK Platforms
Your trades business listing is advertised simultaneously on BusinessesForSale.com, Rightbiz, Daltons Business, Business Sale Report and Bizsale.co.uk — the UK's five biggest business-for-sale marketplaces, collectively reaching hundreds of thousands of registered buyers.
Professional Information Memorandum
Every listing includes a professionally written Information Memorandum — a detailed document presenting your trades business to prospective buyers. It covers your trading history, financials, operations and growth potential.
NDA Protection on Every Enquiry
Every buyer must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before receiving any details about your trades business. Your identity, location and financial information remain completely confidential until you choose to reveal them.
No Upfront Fees — Ever
Listing your trades business is completely free. There are no upfront fees, no listing fees, no marketing fees and no monthly charges. You only pay our success fee when your business successfully completes.
Experienced UK Business Brokers
Our team are experienced business brokers who have sold businesses across every sector and every region of the UK. We guide you through every stage — from valuation and listing, to buyer qualification, negotiation and completion.
Key Value Drivers
- Recurring maintenance contracts with commercial or social housing landlords
- Gas Safe, NICEIC, CHAS or other recognised accreditations
- Diversified client base — not over-reliant on one client
- Established brand, vehicle livery and marketing presence
- Experienced team of qualified tradespeople
- Clean vehicles, tools and equipment with service history
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-relying on one large client that accounts for more than 30% of turnover
- Not documenting verbal maintenance agreements in writing before listing
- Including personal use of vehicles or expenses in the accounts
- Not ensuring accreditations are transferable to the new business owner
- Key man risk — if the owner is the only gas safe engineer, this is a significant issue
Who Buys This Type of Business?
Trades business buyers include qualified tradespeople ready to own their own operation, existing business owners adding a complementary trade, regional facilities management companies, and private equity-backed trades services platforms. Buyers favour businesses with strong contract revenue and accredited workforces.
UK Market Demand
Skilled trades are in national shortage and trades businesses with qualified staff and maintenance contracts are selling quickly. Housing sector demand, energy efficiency retrofitting and commercial maintenance have all driven strong buyer appetite. Well-run businesses priced under £300k receive multiple enquiries within weeks.
Common Questions
How do I transfer Gas Safe or NICEIC registration when selling a trades business?
Registrations are held by the company or individual, not by the business name. The buyer will need to register in their own name with the relevant body. The process is straightforward but takes time — factor this into your completion timeline.
What are maintenance contracts worth when selling a trades business?
Maintenance contracts with regular income are the most valuable asset in most trades businesses. They provide predictable, recurring revenue that reduces buyer risk. Ensure all contracts are documented in writing and include clear assignment clauses.
Can I sell my cleaning business?
Yes — commercial cleaning businesses with recurring contracts (offices, retail, NHS) are in very high demand. Buyers value the predictability of contract income. We have buyers actively looking for cleaning businesses across the UK.
Do vehicles transfer with a trades business sale?
Yes, vehicles are usually included in the sale price. Check whether they're owned outright or on finance (HP or lease). Finance-encumbered vehicles need to be settled or novated at completion. Buyers will want to inspect all vehicles before exchanging contracts.
How do I value my trades business if I'm the only qualified person?
Owner-dependency reduces the value. Consider hiring or promoting a qualified team member before listing, so the business can continue without you. If this isn't possible, price the business to reflect the handover risk and build in a training period for the buyer.
What is the success fee?
Our success fee is only payable when contracts exchange and your sale successfully completes. There are no upfront fees, no listing fees and no monthly charges. Contact us for our current fee structure.
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