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How long is a business broker listing contract? - Selling a business

The process of selling a business can take upwards of six to twelve months, and you should expect to hire a business broker for that timeframe to coordinate buyers and maximize competitive interest.

Selling or buying a business takes time, and every sell-side engagement contract is unique. We recently asked our community advisors and M&A professionals how long the typical sell-side engagement contract is, and what owners should expect. Read below to see what they had to say.

Most Common Contract Lengths Owners Should Expect

Our standard agreement term is six months. However, we are willing to compromise to a 3-month renewable term if this becomes a sticking point.


12 months. The seller has to have reasonable expectations. It takes time and effort to sell a business.


12 months, but clients should be able to cancel sooner if the intermediary isn’t performing.

  • Tyler Evans, Business Intermediary @ SoCal Business Brokers


12 months or more.

  • Mike Adhikari, M&A Chair @ Illinois Corporate Investments, Inc.


A 12-month term helps set reasonable expectations that a transaction will probably take months.

  • Bob Fariss, Business Intermediary @ Murphy Business Sales


12 months is the standard.

  • Eric Gall, Business Intermediary @ Edison Business Advisors


12 months


18 MONTHS


12 months with a 2 year tail.

  • Mark Mroczkowski, Business Intermediary @ Chapman Associates Mergers & Acquisitions


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We bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and M&A experts to master the process of getting your business acquired or recapitalized, so we can learn how to set up a great deal team, financing, and exit plan from a network of industry professionals & advisors.

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