Tree care deals at a glance
- Typical buyers
- National tree care companies, grounds maintenance groups, utility vegetation contractors and local competitors
- What lifts the price
- Certified arborists on staff, commercial and HOA maintenance agreements, utility line clearance work, good safety record
- What pulls it down
- Old bucket trucks and chippers, high workers' comp claim costs, all sales coming through the owner
- Paperwork buyers ask for
- Equipment list with ages and hours, safety program and claims history, contracts and recurring clients
- Watch for
- L&I rates that a buyer may inherit
Recurring Work Beats Storm Work
Storm cleanup can make a great year, but buyers know it is irregular. They value maintenance contracts with property managers, homeowners associations, campuses and municipalities much more.
Utility line clearance work is especially attractive because it tends to run under multi year agreements.
Arborists and Crew Leaders
Certified arborists who sell and estimate work are a big part of value. If you do all the estimates yourself, start handing that to a lead arborist before you sell.
Climbers and crew leaders are hard to replace. A buyer will ask about turnover, pay and who is likely to stay.
Safety and Workers' Comp
Tree work is dangerous, and Washington's workers' compensation premiums reflect that. A buyer will look at your claims history because it affects their premium rates after the purchase.
Our guide to L&I and ESD accounts after a sale explains what buyers inherit and why they ask for your L&I records.
Who Buys Tree Care Companies
National tree care companies have been buying regional ones to add crews and territory. Grounds and property maintenance groups buy them to offer tree work to existing clients. Local competitors buy for crews and equipment.
Utility vegetation contractors look for companies with line clearance experience and qualified crews.
Clean Up Before a Sale
- Move estimating and sales to a lead arborist or manager
- Put recurring maintenance agreements in writing
- Gather equipment maintenance logs and replace anything near failure
- Review your safety program and claims with your L&I account manager
Each of these makes the company easier to finance and easier to hand over.
Buyers will also ask about permits and any tree protection rules your crews work under in Seattle and nearby cities.
Equipment Condition
Bucket trucks, cranes, chippers and stump grinders are expensive. Buyers will check age, hours and maintenance records and may lower the price if major replacements are near.
See business valuation in Seattle for how equipment and earnings combine into a price. To start, use the price check form or call (206) 555-0171.