Business Valuation Services for Business Owners
Understand your company's true value to make informed decisions about growth, exit planning, and strategic investments.
Why Business Owners Trust DorisMorris
Independent & Objective
Get an unbiased assessment of your business value from certified professionals.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed valuation reports with clear methodology and supporting documentation.
Confidential Process
Your sensitive business information is handled with utmost discretion.
Common Scenarios When You Need a Valuation
- •Planning to sell your business in the next 2-5 years
- •Considering bringing in investors or partners
- •Estate planning or gifting shares to family members
- •Buy-sell agreements between partners
- •Understanding value for strategic decisions
- •Divorce proceedings or legal disputes
How We Help Business Owners Succeed
Exit Planning
Understand your current business value to inform exit planning and timing decisions.
Risk Assessment
Identify and mitigate factors that could negatively impact your business value and marketability.
Partner Buyouts
Fair and defensible valuations for buying out partners or resolving ownership transitions.
Our Valuation Process
What We Analyze
- Financial statements and tax returns (3-5 years)
- Customer contracts and relationships
- Market position and competitive advantages
- Management team and organizational structure
What You Receive
- Comprehensive valuation report
- Executive summary with key findings
- Educational insights about value drivers
- Industry comparisons and benchmarks
Why Business Owners Need Professional Valuations
of business owners overestimate their company's value
average value increase after implementing recommendations
ROI on valuation cost through value improvements
average time to implement value-enhancing changes
Understanding Business Valuation Methods
Market Approach
Compares your business to similar companies that have recently sold.
Best for: Businesses with comparable market data
Income Approach
Values based on future cash flows and earnings potential.
Best for: Profitable businesses with stable cash flows
Asset Approach
Calculates value based on assets minus liabilities.
Best for: Asset-heavy or distressed businesses
Common Valuation Mistakes to Avoid
Using Rules of Thumb
"3x revenue" or "5x EBITDA" oversimplifies your unique business factors and market conditions.
Ignoring Working Capital
Failing to account for working capital needs can overstate value by 15-30%.
Not Normalizing Earnings
One-time expenses and owner perks must be adjusted to show true earning capacity.
Emotional Pricing
Your sweat equity doesn't translate to market value - buyers pay for future returns.
Key Value Drivers You Can Control
Financial Drivers
- Revenue Growth: Understanding how consistent growth impacts valuation multiples
- Profit Margins: How margin improvements affect business valuation
- Recurring Revenue: Why subscription models command higher valuations
Operational Drivers
- Customer Diversity: How customer concentration affects valuation discounts
- Management Depth: Why management succession planning matters for valuation
- Documented Processes: How operational systems impact business transferability
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a valuation cost?
Professional valuations typically range from $5,000-$15,000 depending on business complexity. This investment often pays for itself through identified improvements and tax savings.
How long does it take?
Most valuations are completed within 2-3 weeks from receiving all documentation. Rush services available for time-sensitive needs.
Why not use a free broker valuation?
Broker valuations are often inflated to win listings. Professional valuations are independent, defensible, and include detailed analysis and recommendations.
Is my information confidential?
Absolutely. We sign NDAs and use secure systems. Your valuation is never shared without explicit permission, and we don't work with competitors.
When should I get valued?
Ideally, 2-3 years before any transaction. This gives time to implement value improvements. Also valuable for annual planning and partner agreements.
What if I disagree with the value?
We explain our methodology and assumptions in detail. Often, understanding the "why" behind the value helps identify specific areas to improve.
Professional Valuation vs. Alternatives
| Feature | Professional CVA | Broker Estimate | Online Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | Limited | Very Limited | |
| Defensible in Court/IRS | No | No | |
| Improvement Recommendations | Basic | None | |
| Industry Analysis | Limited | Generic | |
| Unbiased/Independent | No | N/A |
Real Results: Manufacturing Company Case Study
Initial Valuation
$3.2M
After Improvements (18mo)
$4.5M
Value Increase
+41%
Key Value Drivers Identified:
- • Operational procedure documentation needs
- • Customer concentration risk factors
- • Inventory management efficiency opportunities
- • Management succession planning requirements
Ready to Move from Learning to Action?
Put your knowledge to work with professional business valuation services tailored to your specific needs.