What multiple do plumbing businesses sell for?
Band for owner-operated plumbing businesses under $1,000,000 of SDE. Source: sold-transaction comps (BizBuySell sold data and IBBA Market Pulse closed deals), never asking prices. Dataset v2026.07.0, refreshed 2026-07-06. Larger earnings move to higher bands: see the full multiples by industry reference.
Worked example: $350,000 of SDE at the typical 2.47x multiple prices around $864,500, inside a band of roughly $588,000 to $1,039,500.
What moves your multiple
Service and repair revenue earns a stronger multiple than new-construction rough-in work, which buyers discount for builder dependence.
If the only master plumber is the departing owner, the deal has a licensing problem before it has a price. A licensed employee de-risks it.
Recurring commercial accounts and property-management relationships read as durable revenue.
The less the business needs you in a truck, the closer you price to the top of the band.
The calculator asks about these drivers directly, so your range reflects where your plumbing business actually sits in the band, not just the industry average.
Frequently asked questions
What multiple do plumbing businesses sell for?
Sold-transaction data puts plumbing businesses at roughly 1.68 to 2.97 times SDE (seller's discretionary earnings), with 2.47x 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 plumbing business is worth?
Multiply your SDE by the market multiple for your size and quality band. Example: a plumbing business with $350,000 of SDE at the typical 2.47x multiple prices around $864,500, inside a sold-comp band of roughly $588,000 to $1,039,500. The calculator does this with your numbers and shows which drivers push you up or down the band.
My plumbing company is mostly new-construction work. Does that hurt the price?
It usually prices lower than an equivalent service-and-repair shop because the revenue depends on builder relationships and the construction cycle. Diversifying toward service work before a sale is one of the highest-return preparation moves a plumbing owner can make.
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 plumbing business is really worth
Free estimate, free PDF report, no obligation. If you decide to sell, you pay nothing unless your business sells.