Paid BoV vs. Free Estimates: Get the Price That Actually Closes.
Free tools use "Gross Revenue"—the worst metric in valuation. Our 18-page Broker's Opinion of Value (BoV) recasts 4 years of financials to identify the defensible market value required for an airtight California exit.
License & CredentialS
CA BRE# 01861204
M&AMI
Master Intermediary
LCBB
Lifetime Broker
CM&AP
M&A Professional
CABB
CA Assoc. Bus. Brokers
M&A Source
Global Association
Why a Free Valuation is Your Most Expensive Mistake
Free valuations are lead-gen marketing tactics. Our BoV is a forensic instrument designed to survive the scrutiny of bank underwriters and sophisticated buyers.
| Analysis Pillar | Free Web Estimate "The Marketing Trap" | Paid Broker Opinion (BoV) "The Transaction Engine" |
|---|---|---|
| Metric Focus (How they calculate price) | Gross Revenue Multiple. Lethal error. Ignores debt, expenses, and profitability. Valuing a business on gross revenue is like valuing a house by its square footage without checking for termites or debt. | Forensic Recasting (SDE/EBITDA). Deep dive into 4-year trends. Identifies add-backs for personal benefits, child allowances, and owner salaries to find true cash flow. |
| Add-Back Investigation (The "SDE" Difference) | None. Ignores owner benefits. | Human Insight: We ask the questions an algorithm can't. Does the owner pay health insurance or retirement through the business? These are critical value drivers. |
| Transactional Reliability (Will it close)? | High Rejection Rate. SBA lenders and savvy buyers will dismantle a "free" valuation in minutes during due diligence. | Bank-Grade Defense. Includes the "Buyer's Test" to prove the business can support debt service and a new owner's salary. |
Inside the 18-Page BoV Deep Dive
Unlike a one-page "estimate," our report provides a comprehensive forensic trail that buyers and lenders trust.
Executive Summary & Net Equity
Includes: Asset-sale value, A/R - A/P adjustments, and net owner equity calculations.
Page: 1-2
4-Year Recasting Analysis
Detailed identification of "Add-Backs"—from owner perks to normalized salaries based on CA benchmarks.
Page: 4-7
The "Buyer's Test" Method
Proving the business can cover debt service and owner salary while maintaining a high ROI.
Page: 13-17
Review the depth and precision of our strategic planning reports.
California Specific Warning
DRE Licensing Enforcement
To value and sell a business in CA, the firm must hold a California Department of Real Estate license. Unlicensed out-of-state "free" tools are illegal in CA.
Board Compliance (CSLB/BAR/ABC)
Free estimates ignore California's complex licensing clearances. Buying a construction or auto repair shop without CSLB/BAR clearance can trigger immediate legal failure.
Negotiate from Strength, Not Guesswork.
"If your business is in California, an out-of-state free business valuation is the fastest way to lose millions in structural errors. We live and breathe CA M&A."
Specialization Matters
Rogerson Business Services handles the Lower Middle Market (Gross Revenue $2M–$100M) with a track record of closing complex transactions across multiple CA sectors.
Request Your Defensible Analysis
For serious business owners ready to exit.
All reports are signed by a licensed principal.
