Environmental Site Survey And Investigation Company For Sale

Business description

This well established and highly regarded business has been in operation since 1998. After a successful early career in the construction sector, the vendor set-up the company to offer site investigation services and environmental surveys. The company has expanded over the years, and now employs a highly qualified team, with a full range of assets to cover a wide area of work.

The services offered include, but are not limited to, Ground Investigations, Subsidence Investigations, Trial Pits, Boreholes, (disturbed and undisturbed sampling), plus In-situ and laboratory soil testing, Gas testing, drainage surveys and crack monitoring. The company produces full Factual reports, Root Identification, Desktop Studies, Environmental Studies and Geotechnical Reports.

The business is very proud to be ISO9001, EXOR and Construction Line accredited. With this in mind, and due to the number of services offered and reputation for quality of work, the business is in an enviable position of servicing a large range of clients across disciplines, including major construction companies and developers, structural engineers and architects, councils, insurance companies and environmental businesses.

Currently based out of a large unit in Essex, the company operates through-out Essex and the South East. The premises house the company offices, with space for storage of the drilling rigs and tesing equipment. The business is fully relocatable, although the vendor is open to leasing the premises at a favourable rate or selling the freehold unit to a potential new owner.

The business is highly profitable, with low overheads and is debt free. Alongside the services offered in-house, there are a number that they sub-contract out. There is immense growth potential by brining these in-house, along with diversifying into other operations.

Equipment:

The business currently operates with one MC305 “Commachio” and one GEO 205 “Commachio” and one Archway Competitor drilling rigs. Two Ford Transits, a Toyota Hi-lux, and a Land Rover Defender. The company also owns Laboratory equipment valued at circa £40,000, Specialised Drilling equipment at circa £50,000, Trailers, Tooling, 3 further drilling rigs, monitoring equipment and samplers.

Customer Service:

The companies proposition is that there is no other company in the area that offers the same wide range of services and flexibility and who can guarantee a twenty four hour turn around for any given situation. The staff have 15 years plus of experience, the pricing for the services is mid-range, but the quality is top of the range. This approach has built a fantastic reputation, which has kept the clients returning again and again.

Key Strengths:

With an established team of highly trained and skilled staff the business can respond to all types of requests in a timely manner. The company name is now very well known, and the reputation of this name is in itself a great strength and asset of the business. With a full complement of equipment to hand, the business can be on-site with all they need, and return to a well fitted laboratory for assessment. The office offers full support for reports and assessment generation along with all back-office functions.

The range and quality of clients, represents a stable base for high turnover and potential further growth.

Financial Information:

The business is being offered for sale on a going concern basis, all financial discussions will take place directly between the vendor and all interested parties under the auspices of Turner Butler.

Property information

Property:

Leasehold

Lease terms:

The business leases the building for circa £36,000 per annum.

Location:

The vendor owns the freehold of the premises, valued at approx £440,000. The business leases the building for circa £36,000 per annum. The building occupies around 7000 square foot, with approx 5500 of this devoted to storage and vehicle space. The remainder is split into offices and laboratory areas. The operation can be easily relocated to a new area.

Business Operation

Expansion potential:

Although offering a one-stop shop to the clients, the business currently out-sources some work to contractors and other businesses. A higher margin and potential turnover could be produced by bringing some of these services in-house such as Gas & Crack monitoring, and contamination laboratory work. There is also real potential to develop the drilling rigs to offer further services to the wider construction sector.

The company has grown steadily over the years and the owners have spent wisely on asset acquisition and targeted marketing. They believe there are excellent opportunities to take the business forward over the coming years.

Competition / Market:

The business has a well appointed website, covering all aspects of the services offered. The company has invested in internet advertising via Google and yell.com. There has also been sporadic advertising in the industry press, and they are in the process of investing in a promotional film. Alongside this, the company is proud to have grown through recommendation and referral.

Reasons for selling:

The vendor has built a portfolio of commercial property, which is taking more and more of his energies. As such he feels it would be the right time to hand this well established business to a new owner with the desire to take things to the next level.

Trading hours:

Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
(with site operatives sometimes working outside these hours when necessary).

Employees:

Currently alongside the vendor, who is the Managing Director of the company, the business fully employs on PAYE an office manager, a Geologist, a Geo-technical adviser, and a Lab Technician. Sub-contracted to the company, mostly full-time are an office assistant, an accounts keeper, a CAD technician, and 6 site operatives.

Years established:

1998

Other information

Support & training:

The vendor will remain with the business for a negotiable period to ensure the smooth transition of the company to new owners. The vendor is open to discussions about a longer term consultancy contract with the business.

Relocatable:

This business can be relocated.