Business Broker – Sell Your Business with Confidence
Specializing in Outdoor, Fly Fishing & Lifestyle Business Sales
Baby Boomer Service Business Broker | Atlanta, GA
Helping Owners of Skilled Trade Businesses Plan a Confident Exit
Atlanta is in the middle of the largest succession wave the skilled trades have ever seen. The generation of owners who built HVAC companies, plumbing outfits, electrical contracting firms, and specialty trade businesses through the 1980s and 90s is now retiring, and most of them have no clear plan for what happens next. Some assume a family member will take over. Most don't have one. Others assume they'll figure it out when they get there. By then, the options have usually narrowed.
I work with owners of skilled trade and home service businesses across Atlanta and the Southeast who are approaching this exact moment. My background isn't in HVAC or plumbing operations — it's in helping founder-led and owner-operated businesses transition to new ownership with the value protected and the process handled with discretion. What I bring to these deals is an understanding of how real estate, equipment, licensing, and customer relationships intersect with what a buyer is actually willing to pay.
I'm a member of the Georgia Association of Business Brokers (GABB) and the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), based in Atlanta and representing sellers nationwide.
What I Specialize In
I work with owners of skilled trade and home service businesses, including:
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HVAC installation and service companies
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Plumbing contractors and service businesses
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Electrical contracting firms
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Landscaping and lawn care companies
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Roofing and exterior contracting businesses
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Pest control companies
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Garage door and specialty home service businesses
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Handyman and general contracting operations
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Pool service and maintenance companies
These businesses are often the backbone of a local economy, built over decades on reputation, licensing, and a customer base that took a lifetime to earn. A poorly handled sale can unravel that almost overnight.
Why Succession Planning Matters Now
The skilled trades are facing a demographic reality that most owners haven't fully reckoned with. A large share of business owners in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and related trades are at or near retirement age, and a much smaller number of younger workers are positioned to buy in or take over. That imbalance creates real opportunity for owners who plan ahead — and real risk for those who wait too long.
Buyers in this space include private equity-backed roll-up platforms actively acquiring trade businesses, individual operators looking to step into an established company, and competitors looking to expand their territory. Each of these buyer types values a business differently, and understanding which one fits your goals is part of getting the sale right.
As a KW Commercial agent with a background in commercial real estate and lease negotiation, I also understand how owned or leased facilities, vehicle fleets, and equipment factor into a trade business's valuation — often more significantly than owners realize.
Who I Work With
I work with trade business owners at both the main-street level ($100,000 to $1,000,000) and the middle market ($1,000,000 to $5,000,000+). Whether you're a single-truck operator built over 20 years or a multi-crew company with a real management team in place, the process starts the same way: a confidential conversation about what your business is worth and what a realistic timeline looks like.
If you're thinking about what comes next for the business you built, let's talk.
📞 678-631-9696
📧 TravisBryenton@KW.com
🌐 www.TravisBryenton.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a baby boomer service business broker?
A baby boomer service business broker specializes in helping owners of skilled trade and home service businesses — such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and landscaping companies — plan and execute a confidential sale, often as part of retirement or succession planning. Travis Bryenton is an Atlanta-based broker serving sellers in Georgia and nationwide.4
Why are so many trade businesses selling right now?
A large generation of trade business owners built their companies in the 1980s and 1990s and are now reaching retirement age. Many don't have a family member ready to take over, which is driving a significant wave of business sales and ownership transitions across HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and related trades.
How is an HVAC or plumbing business valued?
Valuation typically applies a multiple of Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) or EBITDA, adjusted for factors like recurring revenue, customer contracts, equipment condition, vehicle fleet value, and licensing transferability. Travis Bryenton provides confidential valuations for trade businesses in Atlanta and nationwide.
Who buys skilled trade businesses?
Buyers include private equity-backed consolidation platforms, competitors looking to expand territory, and individual operators seeking to acquire an established business rather than starting from scratch. Each buyer type approaches valuation and deal structure differently.
How does my lease or real estate affect my trade business sale?
Facility location, lease terms, and any owned real estate often play a significant role in valuation and deal structure for trade businesses. Travis Bryenton's background in commercial real estate and tenant representation gives his clients an advantage in navigating these factors.
Can I sell my trade business confidentially?
Yes. Confidentiality protects your relationships with employees, customers, and suppliers throughout the sale process. Travis Bryenton manages outreach to qualified buyers discreetly, using NDAs and controlled information release.
How long does it take to sell a trade business?
Most trade business sales close within 6 to 12 months from listing, depending on deal size, buyer financing, and licensing transfer requirements. Starting the conversation 12 to 24 months before your target exit gives you the most options and typically results in better pricing.