What multiple do construction and contracting companies sell for?
Band for owner-operated construction and contracting companies under $1,000,000 of SDE. This band is set conservatively from the nearest sold-comp analog and flagged for calibration; we would rather start honest and adjust up with evidence than quote a number that stalls your deal. Dataset v2026.07.0, refreshed 2026-07-06. Larger earnings move to higher bands: see the full multiples by industry reference.
Worked example: $500,000 of SDE at the typical 2.20x multiple prices around $1,100,000, inside a band of roughly $875,000 to $1,470,000.
What moves your multiple
Signed contracts that convey with the sale are the first thing a buyer underwrites. A thin backlog caps the price regardless of last year.
One developer or GC relationship above roughly a third of revenue moves you down the band; buyers price the risk of losing it.
If bidding and project management live only in the owner’s head, the buyer is buying a job, not a company.
Transferable bonding and a clean safety record (EMR) directly widen the buyer pool.
The calculator asks about these drivers directly, so your range reflects where your construction company actually sits in the band, not just the industry average.
Frequently asked questions
What multiple do construction and contracting companies sell for?
Our conservative, sold-data-anchored band puts construction and contracting companies at roughly 1.75 to 2.94 times SDE (seller's discretionary earnings), with 2.20x as the typical mark for an owner-operated business under $1,000,000 of SDE. Where a specific business lands depends on the value drivers buyers actually price: recurring revenue, owner dependence, customer concentration, and team depth.
How do I calculate what my construction company is worth?
Multiply your SDE by the market multiple for your size and quality band. Example: a construction company with $500,000 of SDE at the typical 2.20x multiple prices around $1,100,000, inside a sold-comp band of roughly $875,000 to $1,470,000. The calculator does this with your numbers and shows which drivers push you up or down the band.
Why is your construction range more conservative than what other sites quote?
Sold-transaction coverage for construction is aggregated across sub-trades, so we anchor the band conservatively low instead of borrowing flattering numbers. When your backlog, crew depth, and customer mix support more, a professional valuation built from current comparable sales documents it. We would rather start honest and adjust up with evidence.
Is the calculator free?
Yes. The estimate and the PDF valuation report are free, and there is no obligation. BridgeBook only earns anything if we later represent your sale and it closes.
Know what your construction company is really worth
Free estimate, free PDF report, no obligation. If you decide to sell, you pay nothing unless your business sells.