How much does a business broker charge?

Business broker commissions range from 5–12% of the final sale price depending on deal size. Smaller businesses (under $1M) typically pay 10–12%, while mid-market businesses ($1M–$5M) pay 6–10%. Some brokers also charge an upfront retainer of $2,500–$15,000 for CIM preparation, which is usually credited back at closing.

How long does it take to sell a business?

Most small to mid-market business sales take 6–12 months from broker engagement to close. The stages include CIM preparation (4–8 weeks), buyer outreach and qualification (4–12 weeks), due diligence (30–90 days), and closing (2–4 weeks). SBA-financed deals add 30–60 days to the timeline.

What is seller's discretionary earnings (SDE)?

Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) is the standard valuation metric for small businesses. It equals net profit plus owner salary, owner benefits, non-recurring expenses, and depreciation/amortization. SDE represents the total economic benefit to a single owner-operator. Most small businesses sell at 2–4× SDE.

Do I need a business broker to sell my business?

While you can technically sell without a broker, data consistently shows brokered transactions close at 15–25% higher prices and at higher completion rates than unrepresented sales. The exception is if you already have an identified buyer at an agreed price. In any other scenario, professional representation pays for itself many times over.

What is an IBBA-certified business broker?

The International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) is the professional body for business brokers. IBBA-certified brokers hold designations like CBI (Certified Business Intermediary) or M&AMI (Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary), which require transaction history, continuing education, and adherence to a code of ethics. These certifications signal professional commitment and deal experience.

What is the difference between a business broker and an M&A advisor?

Business brokers typically handle Main Street and lower-middle-market transactions — businesses selling for $100K to $10M. M&A advisors operate in the middle market ($10M to $500M+) with larger teams, investment banking capabilities, and institutional buyer relationships. For businesses under $5M, a CBI-certified business broker is usually the right choice.

State Guide · Georgia

How to Sell a Business in Georgia

A complete guide for Georgia business owners preparing to sell — covering broker selection, valuation, taxes, state-specific rules, and what to expect at every stage of the process.

IBBA Brokers in GA

2–5× SDE

Typical Georgia Multiple

6–12 mo

Avg. Time to Close

Georgia Business Sale Market

Atlanta is one of the Southeast's most active M&A markets, driven by logistics, distribution, fintech, and healthcare. Georgia benefits from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport making it a logistics hub, strong PE activity in home services, and a growing technology sector.

Most Active Industries

Logistics & Distribution
Construction & Trades
Manufacturing
Healthcare
Technology

Key Markets

Atlanta
Savannah
Augusta
Columbus
Macon

How to Sell a Business in Georgia: Step by Step

Get a Competitive Market Valuation

Georgia businesses in logistics and distribution can command premium multiples from PE buyers (5–9× EBITDA for quality platforms). Home services businesses (HVAC, pest control) attract aggressive roll-up buyers. Construction and trades businesses typically sell at 2.5–4.5× SDE. Get a realistic range before engaging a broker.

Choose a Georgia-Based IBBA Broker

Georgia has 90 IBBA-member brokers, concentrated in Atlanta. For PE-targeted businesses, choose a broker with demonstrated sell-side representation in $1M+ EBITDA deals. For Main Street businesses, choose a broker with Atlanta suburban or regional market experience. BizBrokerMatch filters by city and specialty.

Prepare Financial Documentation

Three years of tax returns, P&Ls, and bank statements. Atlanta buyers are sophisticated; PE buyers will commission a Quality of Earnings (QoE) report for deals above $2M. Prepare your add-backs meticulously and be ready for a rigorous diligence process.

List Confidentially with a Well-Crafted CIM

Your broker's CIM should highlight Atlanta's PE buyer interest, logistics advantages (proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson), and Georgia's tax trajectory (declining rate through 2025). PE buyers will also evaluate your management team depth and geographic expansion potential.

Market to Atlanta's Active Buyer Pool

Atlanta has a diverse buyer pool — individual buyers, regional PE firms, and national roll-up platforms. For home services businesses, Neighborly, HVAC PE platforms, and pest control consolidators (Rentokil, Rollins) are all active in the Atlanta market.

Structure the Deal Under Georgia's Favorable Covenant Law

Georgia's 2011 Restrictive Covenants Act makes non-compete agreements more enforceable. Structure a standard 2–5 year geographic non-compete covering the seller's operating territory. Georgia courts can modify overly broad covenants rather than voiding them — a significant protection for buyers.

Close the Transaction

Georgia business sales typically close through a business attorney. Due diligence runs 30–90 days. SBA financing is common. Atlanta buyers and lenders are experienced with quick timelines — a well-prepared seller in Atlanta can close in 6–9 months.

Georgia Tax & Legal Considerations

Georgia has a flat state income tax rate of 5.49% (2024), with plans to reduce to 4.99% by 2025. Capital gains are taxed as ordinary income in Georgia. Combined with federal rates, Georgia sellers typically pay 21–35% on business sale gains.

Georgia has a relatively seller-friendly legal environment for business sales. Non-compete agreements are enforceable under the Georgia Restrictive Covenants Act (OCGA §13-8-50), enacted in 2011, which made Georgia one of the more covenant-friendly states in the Southeast.

Note: This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Consult a qualified CPA and business attorney before closing any transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions: Selling a Business in Georgia

How many business brokers are in Georgia?

BizBrokerMatch tracks 90 IBBA-member business brokers in Georgia. Atlanta has the highest concentration, with a particularly strong broker network for logistics, distribution, and home services businesses.

What industries are most active for business sales in Georgia?

Atlanta is especially active for logistics and distribution businesses (given Hartsfield-Jackson hub), construction and trades (HVAC, roofing, plumbing), manufacturing, healthcare, and fintech/technology services. PE roll-up buyers are very active in home services in the Atlanta metro.

Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia passed the Georgia Restrictive Covenants Act in 2011, making non-compete agreements significantly more enforceable than before. Courts can now modify ('blue pencil') unreasonable covenants rather than voiding them entirely. Georgia is now one of the more covenant-friendly states in the Southeast.

What is the capital gains tax rate in Georgia for business sales?

Georgia taxes capital gains as ordinary income at a flat rate of 5.49% (2024), decreasing to 4.99% in 2025. Combined with federal capital gains rates, Georgia sellers typically pay 21–35% total on gains. Lower than California but higher than Texas or Florida.

How active are PE buyers in the Georgia market?

Very active. Atlanta has become a major Southeast hub for PE firms, particularly in home services (HVAC, pest control, lawn care), logistics, healthcare services, and fintech. Georgia businesses with $500K+ EBITDA in these sectors frequently attract multiple PE offers.

Find a Verified Georgia Business Broker

BizBrokerMatch tracks 90 IBBA-member brokers across Georgia. Answer 4 questions and get matched with the right broker for your industry and location — free.

Or browse the full Georgia broker directory to see all verified GA brokers.

Get Matched Free →

BizBrokerMatch maintains a searchable database of 3,142 business brokers across all 50 U.S. states, including 90 brokers in Georgia. Brokers are scored on IBBA tenure, certifications (CBI, M&AMI), transaction history, and web presence. The free matching tool filters by industry, revenue, state, and deal timeline. Get matched with a Georgia broker →