Evaluate a Business Before You Buy or Invest
Evaluation is the discipline of confirming whether a business is fairly priced, financially sound, transferable, and capable of meeting your goals. Silverstone encourages every buyer and investor to perform careful independent due diligence before moving forward.
Financial Review
Review revenue, gross profit, expenses, EBITDA, seller discretionary earnings, tax returns, bank statements, payroll, debt, owner add-backs, and trends over several years.
Operations Review
Evaluate employees, systems, vendors, customers, licenses, contracts, lease obligations, equipment, inventory, and whether the business can continue smoothly after transfer.
Market and Risk Review
Understand competition, local demand, customer concentration, seasonality, technology changes, regulatory risks, and whether growth assumptions are realistic.
Deal Structure Review
Compare asking price, financing terms, seller training, working capital, contingencies, due diligence periods, closing requirements, and professional advisor input.
Why Evaluation Matters
A good investment can produce income, control, asset growth, and long-term financial benefits. However, a business purchase also carries risk. Proper evaluation helps you identify strengths, weaknesses, fair value, financing needs, and the actions required after closing. Buyers should use qualified accountants, attorneys, lenders, and professional brokers when appropriate.