Valuing property management companies means digging beneath the leases. Key challenges for SBA 7(a) valuations include: Contractual stickiness ā Are accounts locked in or month-to-month? Owner dependency ā Is the founder the sole point of contact? Overstated margins ā Payroll and travel are often underreported Diversified revenue ā Maintenance markups, leasing commissions, HOA fees? š … Continue reading š§ Valuation Insight: Property Management Companies-Who Owns the Rent?
SBA 7a appraisal
š Resource Drop: Dry Cleaner Valuation Checklist
š§„ Hot off the press: Our Dry Cleaner Valuation Checklist for SBA lenders Includes:ā Owner/operator labor riskā Pressing equipment, boiler, and CapEx reviewā Route delivery risk and client concentrationā Environmental and utility cost allocationā Normalized FCF and SBA-aligned methodology š© Click here to grab your copy.
ā ļø Red Flag Case Study: Steamed and Pressed
A dry cleaning business was listed for sale at $495K on $130K "cash flow." But... ā Owner worked 50+ hrs/week managing customer flowā Utilities grossly understated ā no allocation for solvent disposalā Boiler and shirt unit both past useful lifeā Route revenue overstated without contracts ā Normalized FCF: ~$45Kā Final value estimate: $290K (after labor, … Continue reading ā ļø Red Flag Case Study: Steamed and Pressed
š§ Valuation Insight: Dry Cleaners-The Pressing Issues Behind the Curtain
Ā Dry cleaners can seem like steady cash businessesābut beneath the starch, there are unique risks that impact valuation: Owner often handles front desk, tagging, customer service Route revenue vs. walk-in revenue isn't broken out CapEx for boiler, presses, and spotting equipment often ignored Addbacks for personal dry cleaning, unreported labor, or below-market rent š” A … Continue reading š§ Valuation Insight: Dry Cleaners-The Pressing Issues Behind the Curtain
š Resource Drop: Laundromat & Self-Service Valuation Checklist
š§ŗ Just released: Our Laundromat & Self-Service Valuation Checklist for SBA lenders Includes:ā Revenue validation through meter logs and machine countsā Owner labor normalization for cleaning, collection, repairā CapEx planning for washer/dryer lifespan and kiosk maintenanceā Lease risk assessment + market rent adjustmentā SBA-aligned valuation for unattended/self-serve models š© Click here to grab your copy.
ā ļø Red Flag Case Study: All Washed Up
A coin laundromat was listed at $525K based on $145K in cash flow. But: ā Revenue was based on seller estimatesānot meter reportsā Owner collected all coins, did the cleaning, and fixed machinesā Lease was far below market with 2 years remainingā CapEx ignored aging machines and faulty change kiosk ā Normalized FCF: ~$42Kā Final … Continue reading ā ļø Red Flag Case Study: All Washed Up
š§ Valuation Insight: Laundromats & Self-Service Facilities-Machines Donāt Run the Numbers
Ā š§¼ Laundromats look passiveābut valuations can unravel when: The owner is the only one handling coin pickups, maintenance, or cleaning Revenue isn't verified with meter logs or machine count reports Addbacks include personal utilities, rent under market, or undocumented labor CapEx needs are ignored (even though machines age fast) š A room full of machines … Continue reading š§ Valuation Insight: Laundromats & Self-Service Facilities-Machines Donāt Run the Numbers
š Resource Drop: Janitorial Services Valuation Checklist
š§¼ Just released: Our Commercial Janitorial Services Valuation Checklist Includes:ā Owner vs. subcontractor labor structureā Client contract review + renewal termsā Normalization for underpaid, undocumented, or family laborā CapEx for equipment, vehicles, suppliesā SBA SOP-aligned cleaning company valuation adjustments š© Click here to grab your copy.
ā ļø Red Flag Case Study: Too Much Elbow Grease
A commercial cleaning business was priced at $625K based on $180K in SDE. But: ā Owner was cleaning three accounts personally each nightā Addbacks included family labor, vehicle lease, and home officeā Top 3 clients had no written contractāone ended after diligenceā No CapEx for equipment replacement or supply inventory ā Adjusted FCF: ~$37Kā Revised … Continue reading ā ļø Red Flag Case Study: Too Much Elbow Grease
š§ Valuation Insight: Clean Books Matter More Than Clean Floors
Ā š§½ Janitorial businesses can look simpleābut valuation gets murky when: The owner performs cleaning work or manages client accounts directly Major contracts are handshake-only or short-term Labor is underpaid, cash-based, or undocumented Addbacks include family labor, auto costs, or personal fuel š A full schedule doesnāt always translate to transferable value.
