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"Sample Business Evaluation"

 

 

 

Prepared by:

The Servian Group, L.L.C.

750 N Tamiami Trail Unit 807

Sarasota, Florida  34236

Telephone: 941 953-5601

 Facsimile: 941 953-4006

 Email: serviangroup@comcast.net

CONFIDENTIAL


The Servian Group

750 N Tamiami Trail Suite 807

Sarasota, Florida  34236

 

Seller

Main Street

Sarasota, Florida 34227

 

Dear Sir,

 

This report contains the documents and data we have used to evaluate Company. The suggested price is divided between tangible assets and business value, which is based on client information and an expected down payment.

Asset Value

The tangible asset price or asset value represents the current estimated value of the following:

1.  Inventories for resale or consumption.

2.  Equipment and vehicles.

3.  Leasehold improvements.

4.  Transferable rights and privileges uncontrolled by scarcity.

The estimated current asset value of the company is: $364,000.

Business Value

The intangible asset price or business value represents the current estimated value of the following:

1.    Establishing a customer base which will continue to trade with this company after being sold.

2. Securing a location, designing and constructing a floor plan and securing and installing equipment.

3.  Management systems in place and producing cash flow.

4.  Proprietary rights or limited issue permits.

5.  Free training and available consulting time.

The estimated current intangible value of the company is:  $1,151,000.

Estimated Current Market Value

The enclosed report with supporting documents offers a range of suggested prices indicating the extremes of different prices; therefore, our single price conclusion is the average of the maximum and minimum suggested price ranges.

The estimated current market value of the company is:  $1,515,000.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert Servian
 


 

I.  Overview

Client Data

Seller

Company

Main Street

Sarasota, Florida 34236

Authorization

Seller has authorized this evaluation for Company and has provided the evaluator with both the general and financial information necessary to perform this evaluation.

Nature of Assignment

The purpose of this evaluation is to determine the estimated fair market value, based on an asset sale, of Company, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the company. This opinion will be in the form of a written report based on information collected regarding the company, analysis of that information, and the expertise of the evaluator. Assumptions and limiting conditions are stated in the exhibits to the evaluation report.

Purpose of Evaluation

This report provides the client with an opinion of the company’s fair market value for the purpose of the sale of the company.

Definition of Fair Market Value

Fair market value is the price, in cash or equivalent, that a buyer could reasonably be expected to pay, and a seller could reasonably be expected to accept, if the business were exposed for sale on the open market for a reasonable period of time, both buyer and seller being in possession of the pertinent facts and neither being under compulsion to act.

Ownership

Ownership or title to the business and equipment appraised was not a consideration of this assignment. This report assumes that the business appraised was the property of Company, free and clear.

Additional Information Contact

For additional information, contact Robert Servian from the Servian Group. Do not contact the client without written authorization from the Servian Group. All information contained in this report is confidential.

Location of the Business

At the time of the evaluation, the business was located at Main Street, Sarasota, Florida  34236.

Documents Reviewed by Evaluator

Documents listed as reviewed below have not been analyzed by the evaluator and any values derived from such documents or reports may be included in this report. We have relied on the expertise of the company’s financial advisors supplying this information for any values used.

1.   Tax Returns

2.   P & L’s

3.   AR & AP analysis

4.   Interviews with seller

5.   Asset Lists

Interviews

Interviews were conducted by the evaluator using the evaluator’s forms and questionnaires.

Environmental Concerns

The evaluator expresses no opinions and has received no information that an environmental concern exists.

Evaluation Effective Date

Values stated are effective as of 5/15/2003. Any difference between the date this report is presented and the effective date could have a bearing on the value opinion stated.

What is Valued in this Report

The evaluator was asked to value the subject company, including all assets of the business, both tangible and intangible.

1.  Company is the valued entity and owned by Seller. Please refer to the section entitled Clarification of Value for a detailed analysis of assets included in this evaluation report.

2.   Automobiles have not been valued but are included in this evaluation report.

3.   Liabilities have not been valued and are not included in this evaluation report.

4.   Intangible assets are valued and included even though they may not be shown on the company’s balance sheet.

5.   Accounts receivable are not included in this evaluation report.

6.   Real estate and improvements have not been valued by the evaluator and are not included in this evaluation report.

 


Statistical Summary

For summary purposes we have included a specific amount for asset value and business value and a conclusive selling price.

We estimate the asset value of this company to be $364,000.

We estimate the intangible value of this company to be $1,151,000.

We estimate the market value of this company to be $1,515,000.

Our analysis generates a price range representing the highest price a seller could expect and the lowest price a seller should accept. The suggested price is calculated based on the information generated by the various formulas, but will account for special situations and inconsistencies.

Suggested Pricing      Upper Range Value   Lower Range Value

Asset Method                $400,400                        $327,600

Basic Method              $1,622,000                        $734,800

Capitalization               $2,908,571                     $1,566,154

Critical Factor             $1,601,504                        $725,515

Debt Capacity             $2,567,775                     $1,597,085

Industry Method          $1,501,000                     $1,529,800

Comparable Sales       $1,503,225                     $1,532,255

National Method            $534,308                        $461,508

Weighted Method          $989,589                        $617,066

Multiple Average         $1,703,958                        $950,355

Suggested Range         $1,703,958                        $950,355

Suggested Price           $1,515,557                     $1,515,557

Special Conditions

If a particular range value is extremely high or extremely low, do not be alarmed. Extreme deviations are the product of formulas, which consider only one or two business factors, and are not representative of the total business. This report reflects the adjustments and allowances for these extremes in the suggested range value.

If potential buyers used only one method for evaluation and that formula produced one extreme value there would be reason for concern. However, very few buyers consider only one formula; rather, most buyers base their decision on the debt capacity and assets of a business and become generous or conservative based on their beliefs for all the other factors.


Clarification of Value

The value of the subject company has been stated on the opinion letter. This value does not include real estate or improvements, which are considered to be investment assets. The following should clarify how the final business value was calculated:

Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment        $329,000

Leasehold Improvements                         $5,000

Vehicles                                                 $25,000

Inventory                                                 $5,000

License/Patents                                              $0

Total Asset Value                                $364,000

Intangible Value                               $1,151,000

Total Value                                      $1,515,000

By Method

Asset Method                                           

Equipment                        $359,000            

Improvements                       $5,000            

Vehicles                                       $0            

Stock/Supplies                             $0            

Licenses/Patents                          $0            

Asset High                        $400,400            

Asset Low                        $327,600            

 

Basic Value Factoring                              

Net Cash                          $407,200            

Asset Value                      $364,000            

Basic High                     $1,622,000            

Basic Low                        $734,800            

 

Capitalization Rate                                   

High Return %                          26%            

Low Return %                          14%            

Capital Rate High           $2,908,571            

Capital Rate Low           $1,566,154            

 

Critical Factor                                           

Financing                                  55%            

Desirability                               93%            

Lease                                       67%            

Economy                                180%            

Critical High                   $1,601,504            

Critical Low                      $725,515            

 

Debt Method                                            

Discretionary Cash            $530,000            

Less Salary                         $50,000            

Less Depreciation               $72,800            

Net Discretionary Cash     $407,200            

Interest Rate                        10.00%            

Fast Pay Out Years                       5            

Slow Pay Out Years                    10            

Debt High                      $2,567,775            

Debt Low                      $1,597,085            

 

National Method                                      

Base Value                       $771,200            

Competition                        $69,408            

Management Type          ($401,024)            

Turnover                           $123,392            

Type of Business               $131,104            

Owner Finance Years       $485,856            

Owner Finance Rate         $185,088            

Owner Finance %             $146,528            

Bank Finance Years          $485,856            

Bank Finance Rate                       $0            

Bank Finance %               $316,192            

Number of Employees        $53,984            

Age of Industry                 $208,224            

Industry Market                $185,088            

Years of Operation           $316,192            

Consulting Time                $123,392            

Net Cash - Salary             $339,328            

Local Economy                 $208,224            

Labor Market                ($131,104)            

Skills Required                 ($69,408)            

Union Strength               ($285,344)            

Location                           $362,464            

National Economy              $92,544            

National High                    $534,308            

National Low                    $461,508            

 

Weighted                                                   

Target                            $1,178,400            

Labor                                     118%            

Predictability                             93%            

Management                             98%            

Competition                              63%            

Revenue                                 100%            

Longevity                                 87%            

Location                                 103%            

Loan Ability                              55%            

Clientele                                   73%            

Liability                                    50%            

Weighted High                  $989,589            

Weighted Low                  $617,066


 

Evaluation Methods

A business's value can actually be divided into five components:

1.   Market value of assets.

2.   Historical trends of revenues expense and cash flows.

3.   The value of rights, privileges, and knowledge.

4.   Estimated stability in the future.

5.   Esthetic appeal.

This evaluation report addresses all five components of a business's value through a series of questions, which define each of these aspects numerically. Software has been used to calculate the valuation methodologies, which were used to determine the suggested price.

Not every method will necessarily be used in the evaluation report. The methods used in this report are described below.

Asset Value

The asset value method is used to determine a minimum value range for a business. That value represents the estimated worth of all tangible and intangible assets.

Asset value must not be determined solely on the basis of book value or an assets worth in its current application but rather replacement value including all installation and testing costs. The upper and lower asset values are determined based on the accuracy of the asset data that was provided to the evaluator.

Upper: $400,400.

Lower: $327,600.

Basic Method

This method is based on two pricing formulas:

1.   The first formula is a rule of thumb multiplier which is calculated by adding one year’s net cash flow to the business's assets, valued at current market value.

2.   The second formula begins with the current market value of the assets and adds a multiple of the monthly discretionary income based on the number of months required to start a similar business and bring it to a break even cash flow position.

Upper: $1,622,000.

Lower: $734,800.

Capitalization Method (Return on Investment)

This method is based on a simple mathematical model, which calculates a total investment based on discretionary cash flow divided by a rate of return associated with the cost of money and the level of risk associated with the valued business.

Upper: $2,908,571.

Lower: $1,566,154.

Critical Factors Method

This method takes into account the critical factors, which will encourage or discourage a potential buyer in investigating and/or purchasing this business. Each factor is explained below.

Percent of Down Payment

This factor is based on the common belief that lending institutions generally require 20% of the total purchase price as a down payment. This factor also considers how large the down payment is in relationship to the business's post-sale cash flows.

Dollars of Down Payment

This factor relates the absolute dollars required as a down payment to the potential number of qualified buyers with that amount of cash or other liquid assets. The larger the cash down payment, the fewer qualified buyers will be available, thereby limiting the demand and, consequently, reducing the suggested price.

Interest Rate, Interest Type, and Term of Years

This factor relates the various loan types, loan terms, and interest rates offered to a potential buyer by the owner and any other available lending institution to the propensity of a buyer to purchase this business.

Industry

This factor weighs the possibility of market saturation, currently predicted survival for an established business and the future stability of profits.

Desire

This factor quantifies the buyer’s motivation to buy based on status, visual appeal, profitability, risk and skills required.

Lease

This factor determines if sufficient time is available to repay loans and earn a reasonable return. A rate comparable to similar available spaces is used.

Utility

This factor examines the alternative use of the land and buildings for sale.

Accounts

This factor places value on the collect ability of accounts receivable and the security of the client base.

Upper: $1,601,504.

Lower: $725,515.

Debt Capacity

This method of evaluation is purely a financial model. Direct cash expenses are deducted from direct cash revenues to determine discretionary cash flow. Deductions are then made for an operator’s salary and the real depreciation cost of assets. The result is discretionary cash for debt service.

The maximum debt service this business could handle, given the current level of discretionary cash, is calculated based on the number of years financed, and an interest rate.

Most evaluators agree that any future increases in revenues while under the management of a new owner belong to the new owner. If the previous owner had generated more revenue the suggested price would reflect this.

Upper: $2,567,775.

Lower: $1,597,085.

Industry Method

This method is based on pricing formulas that have been developed for a specific industry. Most of these industry rules of thumb are based on a capacity or production volume times a dollar value. Other industries simply use a constant times gross or net revenues.

Upper: $0.

Lower: $0.

Comparable Sales Method

This method is based on comparing the business being valued with similar businesses that have been previously sold. Since revenue numbers are usually more accurate than net income numbers, we have calculated a weighted intangible price to revenue ratio, based on previous business sales, and then calculated an intangible value to which we added back this company’s assets to arrive at a total value.

Upper: $0.

Lower: $0.

National Method

This method is based on a series of factors, which resemble many of the factors previously used in the weighted and critical factor methods. However, in spite of oversimplification and the inability of these factors to shift with changing economic conditions, these formulas have been included because they are routinely used by a buyer in evaluating a purchase. The following factors have been taken into consideration:

Finance Years

This factor assumes the greater the loan period, the more a buyer will pay.

Financing Rate

This factor considers interest rates and types. It decreases the amount payable to a seller as the cost of financing increases.

Years in Operation

This factor assumes each year of past survival indicates a greater chance of future survival.

Consulting Time

This factor pays for education time from a seller.

Employees

This factor decreases value for a greater number of employees, as having a larger work force can create greater labor problems.

Net Cash

The greater a business's discretionary cash, the more a buyer should be willing to pay.

Local Economy

A better economy provides more certainty of future success, giving the business a higher value.

Labor Market

This factor assumes labor is a major business cost. If the labor market is soft for this business, labor cost will not rise; the converse is also true. The following have a direct effect on the labor market and therefore on the business value: union strength, age of industry, national economy, and industry market.

This factor also assumes that if a business requires high level skills, it poses a higher risk and, therefore, is worth less to a potential buyer.

Union Strength

This factor analyzes how an outside organization can control your business. The less control a business has over its labor force, the less a potential buyer is willing to pay.

Age of Industry

This factor increases value for stability and longevity in proportion to an industry’s age.

National Economy

This factor assumes a growing economy increases a business's demand and price. Conversely, a declining economy decreases demand for a particular business and its price.

Industry Market

This factor looks at the future markets for the products or services of this company and industry. The security or risk assigned to the future will directly raise or lower any suggested price.

Upper: $534,308.

Lower: $461,508.

Weighted Factors

This method assumes that the business value is based on the highest potential value of assets plus the discretionary cash flow multiplied by a factor, which is based on the learning curve for this type of business. The current demand for this industry and business are also taken into account. The business value represents the maximum possible price a buyer would pay given a business at this scale of operations and profit level. Each factor adds or deducts from the target value to arrive at a suggested price. Each of the following factors has an affect on the final suggested price.

Labor

This factor weighs the stability of a company’s labor force and the changes, which may reduce profits under a new owner.

Predictability

This factor reviews the company’s historical and current trends compared to the local and national economic trends.

Management

This factor estimates the integrity of the current management system and how changes of ownership will impact the business.

Competition

This factor weighs the possibility of a new owner going out of business because of a saturated market.

Revenues

The past and present problems of collecting revenues will probably remain unchanged under new ownership.

Longevity

The number of years a business entity has survived and grown is usually proportional to the confidence level for future survival. This factor balances lease rates, years at this location, and the utility of this location for this business against current and potential competitive locations.

Loan Ability

This factor weighs this company’s ability, based on its own assets, to acquire funding from lenders.

Clientele

This factor weighs the stability of clients and future expectations for revenue from those clients after a management change.

Liability

This factor weighs the hazard level of this business and how easily a bankruptcy situation could occur.

Upper: $989,589.

Lower: $617,066.

Multiple or Average Value Method

This method is the average of all of the previously described formulas based on theory that a reasonable buyer will use more than one of the previous formulas. An average value derived from all of the formulas should represent the actions of a reasonable buyer.

Upper: $1,703,958.

Lower: $950,355.

Conclusions

All of the formulas described above are calculated and displayed in price ranges with a maximum and minimum level because the data used to calculate these values are based on estimates.

Upper Range Pricing

The upper range pricing represents the seller’s optimistic view of his business given current market constraints.

Upper: $1,703,958.

Lower Range Pricing

The lower range pricing represents the buyer who is primarily concerned with financial rewards including return on investment and return on equity, and will buy a business based on conservative financial estimates.

Lower: $950,355.

Suggested Price Range

The suggested price range is based on all of the evaluation methods. It is strongly based on the multiple averages but occasionally differs for a variety of reasons.

The first thing that will cause a variation between the multiple averages and the suggested price comes from inconsistent data that was used to calculate the various valuation methodologies contained in this report. If there is too much inconsistency, bizarre results may be produced. If this occurs, the suggested price will be discounted based on the degree of inconsistency that was encountered.

 

The methods used to sell the business can affect the suggested price. The accuracy of data used in this report will have a substantial affect on the suggested price. If the data is not accurate, the methodologies this report relies upon will generate a suggested total price range, which is wide and often unrepresentative.

Suggested Price: $1,515,557.

 


Justification for Purchase

The justification for purchase test provides a means to test the reasonableness of the proposed selling price of the business. It is not a method for estimating the value of a business or other property, as are the other valuation methods included in this report.

The estimated purchase price is $1,515,000.

A down payment percentage of  33.0%.

The balance paid in equal monthly installment over a period of 10 years with a 10.0% annual interest rate. The derived cash flow will be available for capital additions and buyers compensation. The following table describes all of the assumptions used for a hypothetical purchase of this business.

Total Price                             $1,515,000

Down Payment                              33.0%

Balance Financed                   $1,015,050

Number of year                                    10

Interest Rate                                  7.0%

Discretionary Cash                    $530,000

First Year Growth                            0.0%

Annual Cash Growth Thereafter       0.0%

 

Post Sale Cash Flow

In the following post sale cash flow, the derived cash flow was developed from the last year’s actual cash flow less the principle and interest payments from the debt to purchase the business. This cash flow will be the new buyer’s discretionary cash flow, before taking a salary.

The evaluator makes no representations or warranties, nor gives any assurance, that a prospective buyer will do as well as indicated in this report. If a buyer relies upon this information, the buyer shall accept all the inherent risks of doing so.

YR   Beginning   Principle         Interest          Derived              Loan

             Cash        Payment       Payment      Cash Flow         Balance

1       $530,000           $62,265            $98,702          $369,032       $1,015,050

2       $530,000           $68,785            $92,183          $369,032          $952,785

3       $530,000           $75,988            $84,980          $369,032          $884,000

4       $530,000           $83,945            $77,023          $369,032          $808,012

5       $530,000           $92,735            $68,233          $369,032          $724,068

6       $530,000         $102,445            $58,522          $369,032          $631,333

7       $530,000         $113,173            $47,795          $369,032          $528,888

8       $530,000         $125,023            $35,944          $369,032          $415,715

9       $530,000         $138,115            $22,853          $369,032          $290,692

10     $530,000         $152,577              $8,390          $369,032          $152,577

Reasonability Analysis

The following analysis is based on the purchase terms described above. All of the calculations are based on after debt cash flows. If the purchase and growth assumptions are correct, the following analysis will provide a guideline to determine the reasonableness of the purchase price and terms.

Post Purchase Details

First Year Return on Down                                                           74%

Months to Repay Down Payment                                                     16

Annual Return on Purchase Price                                             24.36%

Years to Pay Total Purchase                                                              4

Post Purchase Details After Compensation for Management

First Year Return on Down                                                           64%

Months to Repay Down Payment                                                     19

Annual Return on Purchase Price                                              21.06%

Years to Pay Total Purchase                                                              5

Ratios

Price to Earnings                                                                           2.86

Price to Earnings (After Management Comp.)                               3.16

Price to Revenue                                                                          0.45

Price to Assets                                                                             4.16


Comments

Evaluation

A business evaluation is an investigation into the law of probabilities with respect to business value. Through the evaluators experience, training, and integrity, we are able to project the activities of buyers and sellers in the marketplace into an estimation of value. In reaching a conclusion, comparison of businesses usually involves adjustments due to the individuality and uniqueness of each business. Transactions are often influenced by sentiment, personal bias, individual needs, politics, state of mind, and other conditions not considered by the impartial evaluator.

A business evaluation cannot be guaranteed, nor can it be proven. The opinion of value can, however, be substantiated and the final opinion is the result of a thorough professional analysis of a large amount of data. An evaluation must not be considered absolute but should be used as a basis of negotiations between concerned parties, whatever their interests.

The evaluation process as followed in the preparation of this report is an orderly procedure for arriving at an estimate of value. By following this procedure, the evaluator begins with a preliminary study of the issues and defines the basis from which the opinion of value is to be made. Once the data has been collected, a systematic approach is taken to analyzing the data and selecting appropriate valuation methodologies.

In assignments to estimate fair market value, the ultimate goal of the valuation process is a supported conclusion that reflects the evaluator’s study of all influences on the value of the company being appraised. Therefore, the evaluator studies the business from various perspectives. Various questions are raised and answered through research of the industry and the financial capabilities of the subject business. Some of the questions researched may be found in the supporting data section of this report.

The various valuation approaches are interrelated, and each involves gathering and analyzing specific pieces of data relating to the company being analyzed. From the analysis, the evaluator derives separate indications of value, of which one or more may be used in determining the final value.

To complete the evaluation process, the evaluator integrates the information drawn from market research, analysis of data, and from numerous valuation techniques to form a conclusion. This conclusion may be an estimate of value or a range in which the value may fall. An effective integration depends on an evaluator’s skill, experience, and judgment.

Principles of Evaluation

Every evaluation method and technique must comply with and is limited to the following principles if the final results are to be considered significant.

Principle 1

                                    What a reasonable buyer will pay a reasonable seller.

                                    

                                     The term reasonable in this context is used in the economic sense. The buyer and seller are

                                     each assumed to be comparing alternative investments and when the economic incentive to 

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