Buying a business

Buying a business can be a great way to expand geographically, tap into new customers or even bolt on additional products to your existing range. Find out how to make it a success.

“Professional help is invaluable as you go through the negotiation, valuation and purchase process when buying a business, and we’re best placed to provide advice on the whole acquisition or just parts of it to suit your needs.”

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What are the advantages of buying an existing business?

Buying a business has its benefits such as;

Business will have a proven track record.
Track record means it may be easier to obtain finance.
There may be established customers, a reliable income, a reputation to build on.
Ability to diversify your product range.
Quick way to grow your business.

How do I buy a business?

Professional help is invaluable as you go through the negotiation, valuation and purchase process when buying a business. After arranging a price you will need to finance the purchase.

Even after you reach an agreement you have to meet certain conditions of sale to complete, including: verification of financial statements, transfer of leases, and transfer of existing or new VAT registration to name a few.

How to finance buying a business

Finding financing in any economic climate can be challenging, whether you're looking for start-up funds, capital to expand or money to hold on through the tough times. Read more on how to get funding or find more about our funding and asset finance services.

What do you need to know before buying a business?

Before you go about buying a business, make sure you’re clear about what you’re doing and why. Here are just a few things to bear in mind.

Do you have the resources? – Don’t underestimate the time and money involved in buying a business. It can easily drain your current company.

Find the right business – It might pay to use a professional advisor if you want to buy a business, as they’ll find and deal with the target companies for you.

Watch out for nasty surprises – Detailed due diligence is absolutely vital. Get up to date financial and legal information and get it professionally analysed.

Look at the management team – Who’s currently in place? Will they stay? Can they cope? And if the owner’s retiring, what will it do to the business?

Draw up a business integration plan – Combining a new business with your existing company is never easy so decide how you’ll make the pieces fit.

There are many other things to think about so our top tip is get professional advice when buying a business! It will make all the difference between a successful acquisition and a business nightmare.

How can Haines Watts help with buying a business?

We can help with the whole acquisition process or just parts of it. Whatever suits you best. Our business acquisitions team can:

Identify and approach target companies
Agree the deal
Raise business finance
Do investigation work
Provide advice on tax
Project manage the whole thing

The HW Corporate Finance team has handled literally hundreds of company purchases for owner managed and mid-sized corporate businesses. Typical transactions: £1m – £100m. We’ll use this experience to make your deal run smoothly.

We don’t have a minimum fee level and will take on any job, provided we’re sure we can make a difference. Take a look at some of the deals we’ve done.