If you own an HVAC, plumbing, or electrical business in Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, Lutz, or North Tampa earning $200K+ in net profit, you're sitting on a gold mine: and you might not even realize it yet. 💰
Right now, in early 2026, Tampa Bay trades businesses are commanding premium multiples that most business owners don't even know are on the table. We're talking 2.5x to 10x EBITDA for HVAC companies, and 5.9x to 11.4x EBITDA for electrical and plumbing businesses.
Let me be clear: this isn't some "future trend" or market hype. This is happening right now: and the buyers are lined up.
The home services sector isn't just hot: it's white-hot. And if you're in the trades in Pasco County or Hillsborough County, you're in the epicenter of one of the most aggressive buyer markets in the country.
Here's what's driving the frenzy:
Private equity-backed consolidators completed over 200 HVAC acquisitions in 2024 alone: and 2026 is shaping up to be another record year. These aren't tire-kickers. These are well-funded, strategic buyers looking to build regional platforms, and they're paying premium multiples for the right businesses.
Why? Because the trades check every box on a buyer's wishlist:
If your business has a solid base of maintenance agreements or service contracts, you're already ahead of the game. Here's the math that makes buyers' eyes light up:
Maintenance agreements can add 2x to 3x their annual value to your total purchase price.
Let's break that down:
That recurring revenue isn't just nice to have: it's the single most important factor driving premium multiples in the trades right now.
You already know that Tampa Bay is booming. But here's what that means for how to sell my business in Tampa:
✅ Florida's population growth is driving HVAC replacement cycles like never before. Millions of systems installed during the 2000s building boom are reaching end-of-life: right as new construction is exploding in Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, and Lutz.
✅ Out-of-state buyers are flooding the market. They see what you see: year-round HVAC demand, aging infrastructure, and no state income tax. That combination is a buyer magnet.
✅ Geographic premiums are real. Businesses in high-growth Florida markets like the I-75 corridor and SR 54 are commanding acquisition premiums over comparable businesses in slower-growth regions.
If you're a Tampa business broker looking at this market, you know: location matters. And if you're a Land O' Lakes business broker or Lutz business broker, you're seeing the best multiples in the state.
Here's what separates a "decent" valuation from a premium multiple:
| Value Driver | Impact on Valuation |
|---|---|
| High maintenance agreement penetration (30%+ of revenue) | +1.5x to 3x on agreements alone |
| Professional management team (reduced owner dependency) | +0.5x to 1.0x EBITDA |
| Documented processes and SOPs | +0.3x to 0.5x EBITDA |
| Diverse revenue streams (residential + commercial) | +0.2x to 0.5x EBITDA |
| Strong brand and online reputation | +0.2x to 0.3x EBITDA |
Bottom line: If your business is still "the owner and a crew," you're leaving money on the table. But if you've built systems, hired a solid team, and grown recurring revenue, you're in premium territory.
At Lobo Business Sales LLC, we aren't a high-volume factory. We are a Premium Boutique Business Brokerage with a very specific focus. We know our lane, and we dominate it.
We focus exclusively on the "Upper Main Street" market: businesses earning between $200,000 and $2 million in annual discretionary earnings. In today's market, these companies typically command enterprise values (total sale price) between $500,000 and $10 million.
Why does this matter to you?
By staying in our lane, we ensure that every client gets the sophisticated, confidential representation usually reserved for much larger deals, but with the personal touch of a boutique firm.
Let's be blunt: most trades business owners are great at running their businesses: but they have no idea how to position them for a premium sale.
Here's what tanks valuations:
❌ No financial clarity. If your books are a mess or you're still running personal expenses through the business, buyers walk.
❌ Owner dependency. If you're the one answering the phone, running service calls, and managing payroll, the business is you: and that's not sellable at a premium.
❌ No recurring revenue model. If you're chasing one-off service calls with no maintenance agreements, you're stuck at the low end of the multiple range.
❌ Poor confidentiality management. If your employees, customers, or competitors catch wind that you're selling, your business value can drop overnight.
Don't let these be you.
Here's the playbook for getting a premium multiple on your trades business:
You can't negotiate from a position of strength if you don't know what your business is actually worth. A business valuation from a licensed Pasco County business broker or Hillsborough County business broker gives you:
At Lobo Business Sales LLC, we provide no-pressure, confidential valuations to trades business owners across the Tampa Bay area. No upfront fees. No pushy sales pitch. Just honest guidance.
If you don't have maintenance agreements in place, start now. If you do, document them. Buyers want to see:
This is the single highest-ROI move you can make before selling.
Hire or promote a general manager. Document your processes. Build a business that runs without you being on every service call or estimate.
The less the business needs you, the more a buyer will pay for it.
This isn't a DIY situation. Selling a profitable trades business requires:
At Lobo Business Sales LLC, we've spent 15+ years helping Florida business owners achieve premium exits. We're members of the Business Brokers of Florida (BBF) and the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), and we work on a success-based model: no upfront fees, no retainer. We only win when you do.
Let's get specific. Here's what real HVAC, plumbing, and electrical businesses in Tampa Bay have sold for recently:
If your business is earning $200K–$2M in net profit, you're looking at a seven-figure exit: if you position it right.
Here's the reality: market conditions like this don't last forever.
Right now, you have:
✅ Aggressive PE buyers competing for quality trades businesses
✅ Record-high multiples across HVAC, plumbing, and electrical
✅ Strong demand driven by Florida's population growth and aging infrastructure
✅ Out-of-state buyer interest flooding the Tampa Bay market
But market windows close. Interest rates shift. Buyer appetite changes. And if you wait too long, you risk missing the peak.
If you've been thinking, "Maybe I'll sell in a few years," let me ask you this: What if the multiples drop by 20–30% by then? That's real money you're leaving on the table.
If you own an HVAC, plumbing, or electrical business in Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, Lutz, or North Tampa earning $200K+ in net profit, you owe it to yourself to at least know what your business is worth in today's market.
I'm Dave Britton, founder of Lobo Business Sales LLC. I've spent over 15 years helping Florida business owners achieve premium exits: with confidentiality, strategy, and zero upfront fees.
Let's start with a conversation. No obligations. No pressure. Just honest guidance from someone who knows this market inside and out.
📞 Schedule a free, confidential consultation: LoboBusinessSales.com
You've built something valuable. Let's make sure you get every dollar it's worth. 🐺💰
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