Selling a business follows a structured six-step process: (1) Confidential Discussion to understand your goals, (2) Appraisal & Preparation of financial and business documentation, (3) Engagement & Sale Strategy, (4) Confidential Marketing & Buyer Enquiries under blind profiles and NDAs, (5) Offers & Negotiation, and (6) Due Diligence & Settlement Handover in coordination with legal and financial advisers.

Transaction timeframes vary depending on the business, buyer, finance, due diligence, lease, and third-party or franchisor approvals. On average, a standard small-to-medium enterprise sale typically takes between 3 to 9 months from marketing launch through to settlement.

Professional brokerage commission is agreed upfront in writing prior to any engagement and is payable upon successful settlement. Initial confidential consultations and market appraisals are complimentary. Any agreed third-party marketing disbursements are disclosed and approved in advance with zero hidden costs.

Confidentiality is protected through blind profile marketing (advertising operational highlights without disclosing business identity or exact location), requiring all prospective purchasers to register and execute a legally binding Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), and releasing sensitive commercial information in controlled, progressive stages.

Not unless you choose to inform them. All marketing and buyer interactions are conducted discreetly. Buyer inspections are scheduled outside trading hours or under strict confidentiality protocols, and staff are typically only notified at an agreed stage close to contract exchange or settlement.

Key documentation includes 2–3 years of profit & loss statements, balance sheets, and tax returns; current year-to-date management accounts and BAS statements; commercial lease agreements; plant and equipment asset registers; staff rosters and employment terms; key customer or supplier contracts; and licences/franchise agreements where applicable.

An Information Memorandum (IM) is a comprehensive document prepared by the broker that presents the commercial, operational, and financial overview of your business to qualified buyers. It outlines trading history, products or services, normalised financial performance, operational systems, lease details, and future expansion opportunities.

A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a legally binding contract that obligates prospective purchasers to keep all operational, proprietary, and financial information confidential. It prevents unauthorised disclosure to employees, competitors, suppliers, or third parties, safeguarding the ongoing value and goodwill of the business.

No. Signing an NDA is a necessary prerequisite, but it does not grant automatic access to confidential records or the Information Memorandum. Buyers must also complete a verification process to demonstrate genuine commercial interest and adequate financial capacity before sensitive business materials are released.

We evaluate prospective buyers through a structured vetting process examining their business background, relevant industry experience, purchasing timeline, available unencumbered funds, and borrowing capacity before disclosing sensitive business identities or detailed financial data.

When an offer is received, we present it to you alongside an objective assessment of the proposed purchase price, deposit terms, due diligence duration, finance conditions, lease assignment requirements, and settlement schedule. We assist in negotiating commercial terms to achieve a clean, agreed Heads of Agreement.

Due diligence is the agreed verification period during which the buyer, alongside their accountant and solicitor, examines detailed financial records, tax filings, legal agreements, asset condition, customer contracts, and statutory compliance to confirm the accuracy of information provided prior to finalising contract exchange.

Yes. We strongly advise both vendors and purchasers to engage independent professional advisors. Your accountant assists with tax structuring, capital gains considerations, and financial verification, while your commercial solicitor drafts and reviews the Contract of Sale, coordinates lease transfers, and completes legal settlement.

For businesses operating from leased premises, the existing commercial lease is typically assigned to the buyer via a formal Deed of Consent to Assignment, subject to landlord vetting and approval. Alternatively, a new lease or option extension may be negotiated concurrently as part of the contract conditions.

In a standard business asset sale, the purchaser determines which staff to re-employ under new employment contracts. Accrued employee entitlements (such as annual leave and long service leave) are calculated and adjusted between vendor and purchaser at settlement in accordance with statutory guidelines.

Selling a franchise follows standard commercial sale procedures with additional network requirements. The franchisor must formally interview and approve the prospective buyer, supply statutory disclosure documents under the Franchising Code of Conduct, and ensure the buyer completes mandatory head-office induction training prior to lease assignment and settlement.

Ideally, exit planning should begin 12 to 24 months before your intended sale date. Preparing early provides sufficient time to organise financial records, document operational procedures, secure commercial lease tenure, reduce owner reliance, and improve sale readiness and buyer confidence.