I Sold my Home Service Business
Written on June 5th, 2025th at 3:01 am
I Sold my Home Service Business. Here’s What I’d Do Differently.
If I could sit down with my younger self before selling my service business, I’d hand him this list. Even if I wasn’t planning on selling anytime soon, this list would still help guide me in the right direction for when the time comes
It would’ve saved me time, stress, and probably added a few extra zeros to the sale.
But more than anything, it would’ve helped me approach the process from a position of strength and not fear or desperation.
You’re not just cashing out, you’re building something that a serious buyer wants to invest in. That’s a huge difference. The right buyer doesn’t want a job. They’re looking for a company that runs without the owner, with real systems in place and upside they can unlock.
If you can offer that, you don’t need to beg or cut deals out of desperation. You’ll attract better offers, and you’ll get to choose the one that fits.
Here’s what I wish I knew a few years earlier:
1. Build a Business Worth Buying
Buyers aren’t buying you, they’re buying the machine you’ve built.
• Document your core processes: hiring, training, quoting, scheduling
• Remove yourself from sales and operations
• Build clean, consistent numbers: recurring revenue, solid margins, etc
2. Start Sooner Than You Think
Don’t wait until you’re done. That’s too late.
• Start prepping 12 to 24 months out
• Clean up your books, contracts, org chart, and systems
• Show a pattern of healthy, consistent and predictable growth
• Selling from burnout puts you at a disadvantage, both mentally and financially
3. Don’t Let Emotions Run the Show
Selling your company is personal. But it’s also business.
• It can take months or even a year
• There will be curveballs: deal terms, delays, due diligence surprises
• This is the end of a chapter, and that’s going to feel heavy
• Stay calm during negotiations. Keep the long game in mind
4. Get Money on the Table
Structure matters just as much as the total number.
• A non-refundable deposit creates serious momentum for the deal
• A slightly lower price with strong terms is better than a big number that drags out
• Hire a lawyer who’s handled small business exits before. It’s worth it
5. Sell While You’re Still Climbing
Buyers pay more for momentum.
• Don’t wait until growth plateaus or dips
• The best time to sell is when things are going well and you’re not desperate
• If you’re excited about what’s coming next, the buyer will be too
• That energy shows up in the valuation
If you’re ever thinking about an exit, I hope this helps you get ahead of the curve. I had to learn some of these the hard way. No regrets, but I would’ve done a few things differently with the right prep and mindset.
Let me know your thoughts on the above and if we’re not connected on social media, feel free to add me. facebook.com/brandon.lazar
Talk soon,
Brandon Lazar
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After 15 years running a home service business, I know how frustrating it is to fly blind with messy or missing numbers.
CRMs are great at collecting data—but terrible at helping you make sense of it.
That’s exactly why I built HourlyIQ.
Brandon Lazar
Founder of HourlyIQ
