Free Indicative Valuation Eligibility Criteria for UK SMEs

The core eligibility criteria

The free indicative valuation is available to UK-incorporated trading companies with at least two full years of filed accounts, £500,000 of turnover, and a current intent to sell or exit within 24 months. We value limited companies and LLPs based in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. Overseas structures or non-trading entities are out of scope for the free service.

Two full years of filed accounts. We need enough history to identify trends and adjust earnings reliably. Less than two years is typically too early for a defensible indicative range.

Adjusted EBITDA roughly £100k to £5m. Below £100k, the value is usually a function of personal goodwill rather than transferable earnings; above £5m, the analysis warrants a paid engagement from the outset.

Genuine interest in a future transaction. The free service is for owners seriously considering sale, MBO, EOT, partial sale, or restructuring within 24 months. We do not provide free valuations for curiosity, benchmarking, or general interest.

What we need from you

Three years of statutory accounts (filed at Companies House is fine). A short conversation about ownership, customer mix, and your reason for asking. Confidentiality is preserved throughout; we work to a strict NDA and never approach buyers or third parties without your sign-off.

What you receive

A 20-minute structured conversation, a written indicative range with the methodology summarised, and a short-term recommendation on next steps. The written summary lands within five working days of receiving the accounts. No obligation, no pressure, no marketing follow-up beyond the report itself.

What is excluded from the free service

Formal written reports for HMRC, court, trustee, or shareholder evidence. These require deeper analysis, comparable evidence, and signed declarations, and are quoted separately. The free indicative range often informs whether a formal report is the right next step.

Detailed transaction advisory work, buyer search, due diligence support, or sale process management. These are paid engagements with separate fee structures.

Common situations that qualify

Owner considering retirement in 2 to 5 years and wanting to know whether the business will fund the lifestyle. Owner considering MBO and wanting an objective range before opening management conversations. Owner approached by a trade buyer and wanting independent benchmark before responding. Shareholder considering buy-out by remaining shareholders. Owner exploring EOT and wanting an indicative range before committing to the full process.

Common situations that do not qualify

Pre-revenue or pre-profit startups: too early for a meaningful range. Asset-only valuations for property, vehicles, or stock: not our area. Insolvency or distressed asset disposal: requires insolvency-practitioner involvement. General curiosity or academic interest: we focus our free time on owners with a real transaction question.