Asking price: £80,000

Sales revenue: £220,000

Net profit: Undisclosed

Fixtures value: Undisclosed

Stock value: Undisclosed

Business description
Established in 1992 and incorporated approximately five years ago, this business has grown to become a leading professional decorating and maintenance company in the South East. With turnover split almost equally between domestic and commercial and industrial work this business handles a whole spectrum of works including new builds. It has established a particular reputation for its expertise in working on period properties. Its commercial and industrial Client list includes some of the leading house builders in the country, for which it is an Approved Contractor as well as local letting and management agencies, hotels, Guest Houses, Pubs and Restaurants. Primarily serving the South Coast and the Home Counties this business has been known to travel as far afield as East Anglia for the right project.

For its Clients this business undertakes all aspects of Commercial painting, decorating and building maintenance predominantly using its own fully qualified staff, permanently employed by the business, topped up, as required with a pool of regular, tried and tested sub contractors. This business always provides the right teams with the right skills necessary to get the job finished properly and on time. Constructionline registered and a Safe Contractor, this business is particularly strong on Health and Safety, whilst still completing contracts quickly and efficiently. It has £10 million employer’s liability insurance and £10 million public liability cover.

This business prides itself on the professionalism it brings to every task, however complex or simple it may be. Constantly receiving excellent testimonials from its Clients, the aim of this business is always to complete the work on time, to budget and to the highest standards. This commitment to the highest standards of workmanship together with a clear understanding of the needs of its main Client whether they be a main contractor, Managing Agent or Letting Agent and a genuine desire to assist them in fulfilling their obligations to their Clients, has resulted in a loyal and regular Client base. As a result, when tendering, this business wins jobs when it is certainly not at the first stage necessarily the least cost option.

The cornerstone to the success of this business has been its constant investment in marketing ensuring high levels of awareness throughout its target sectors and the constant generation of high volumes of good quality leads.

This is a very well established and professionally run business. Performing consistently well at around the £220,000 - £240,000 turnover mark in recent financial years generating gross margins of 30% this is an extremely attractive acquisition opportunity either for an existing operator looking to increase their presence in this sector or for a new entrant to acquire an extremely good foundation for future growth.
Key strengths:

This business provides a highly reliable, professional and high quality service at a very competitive price. It knows that if a job is managed properly it will be completed properly. Consistent marketing has generated good levels of awareness of the business within its local markets which has been augmented by its excellent reputation for high standards of workmanship and reliability, all at a competitive price.

As a result of its very high standards this business can boast a strong list of regular Clients including major building contractors active in the South East and Letting and Managing Agents providing regular work and is frequently recommended by its Clients to other potential customers.
Striding both the domestic and commercial and industrial sectors, this company is quite diverse in the range of services provided and prides itself on its ability to adapt to suit its customers exact requirements. It is equally comfortable with projects involving the specialist nature of period properties as it is with larger commercial projects or standard painting and decorating and has a good track record in small maintenance works.

Key opportunities:

There is an outstanding opportunity to build on the existing business levels and customer base of this company. With its excellent reputation, a new Owner contributing fresh ideas, drive, enthusiasm and investment will have every advantage of building on an excellent platform.
Although this business can already boast a solid, loyal Client base, there are many other similar businesses operating in the South East that represent excellent targets for future projects. A new Owner, with fresh management skills particularly in the areas of advertising and marketing will contribute new, innovative ideas and outside influence to build on the excellent foundations that have already been established.

Financial Information:

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

Turnover for the financial year ending February 2008 was approximately £220,000 generating gross profits of almost £70,000.

The Asking Price of £80,000 is for a sale of the shares in the business based on Shareholders Funds of £30,000.

Years established: 1992

Employees: The Owner is responsible for the day-today management of the operation very ably supported by a Personal Assistant and general Secretary. The business directly employs three experienced painters and decorators and calls upon an extensive pool of tried and tested sub-contractors as required.

Relocatable: This business can be relocated.

Property: Leasehold

Location
The business operates from a home office environment which also includes its paint store and has a small lock-up garage for its wood store. As such the business is easily re-locatable.

Competition / Market
This business has invested heavily to date to establish its name and reputation within its marketplace. It has a very well designed, informative and easy to navigate website and well written and well designed Corporate marketing materials. It also uses very effectively a database of 3,000 commercial and industrial contacts. By far its most effective marketing however is the strong word of mouth recommendation the business enjoys, testimony to the high levels of customer satisfaction the business generates – as witnessed by the high volume of customer testimonials the business can provide.

Support & training
The owner is happy to provide the training and handover required to ensure a smooth transfer of the business.

Reasons for selling
The owner wishes to pursue other business interests.