ServicesMergers and Acquisitions
Mergers and Acquisitions in Liberty Hill
When another company wants to buy yours, or you want to absorb a competitor, the details decide the outcome. We value the business, find the right counterparty and negotiate the terms, showing you what we found and what we did at each step.
When a merger or acquisition is the right call
A merger or acquisition is different from a simple sale. The buyer is usually another operating company, often a competitor, supplier or larger firm looking to add customers, staff or territory. That buyer will ask harder questions, and the structure of the deal matters as much as the price.
We work with business owners on both sides. Some want to sell to a strategic buyer who will pay for what the combined company can do. Others want to grow by acquiring a firm in Georgetown, Round Rock or Cedar Park instead of building from scratch.
Every finding goes into a written record you can review: normalized financials, notes from buyer calls and photos of the facility and equipment we include in the confidential package. You see the same evidence a buyer sees, before they see it.
What our M&A work includes
- Valuation built for strategic buyers
- We value the business on its own earnings, then look at what it is worth to a buyer who can cut overlap or cross-sell. That second number is often where the negotiating room sits.
- A documented confidential package
- We prepare a package with adjusted financials, customer and staff summaries, and photos of the premises and key equipment. Nothing goes out until a buyer has signed a nondisclosure agreement.
- Finding and screening counterparties
- We identify companies with a real reason to combine and check that they can fund a deal. Tire-kickers and competitors fishing for information are filtered out early.
- Deal structure and negotiation
- Asset or stock sale, cash at closing, seller notes, earnouts and working capital targets all change what you actually take home. We lay out each option in plain terms and negotiate the letter of intent with you.
- Due diligence management
- We organize the document requests, track open items and keep the buyer's questions moving so diligence does not stall. Your attorney and CPA handle the legal and tax work; we keep everyone on the same schedule.
Signs it is time to talk about a merger or acquisition
A competitor made an offer
An unsolicited letter or phone call is a starting point, not a valuation. Before you answer, you should know what the business is worth and who else might pay more.
Growth has hit a ceiling
If you need more crews, more locations or a new service line, buying an existing company can be faster than hiring and building one.
Too much rides on one customer or one person
Heavy customer concentration or a business that depends on the owner lowers its value. Combining with a larger firm can spread that risk.
A supplier or partner is quietly for sale
Acquiring a vendor you already rely on can protect your margins. It also needs careful diligence, since you may know their reputation better than their books.
You want out, but your staff should stay
A strategic buyer often keeps the team and the name. That can matter more to you than a slightly higher price from a buyer who would fold everything in.
How a deal moves with us
- 1
Confidential first conversation
We talk by phone, video or at our office about your goals and your numbers. You leave with a free, confidential valuation and a clear view of likely buyers or targets.
- 2
Documentation and package
We normalize the financials, photograph the operation and assemble the confidential package. You review and approve every page before anyone outside sees it.
- 3
Outreach under NDA
We approach a short list of qualified companies, collect signed nondisclosure agreements and share the package. You get written notes on each conversation.
- 4
Letter of intent and negotiation
We compare offers side by side, including structure and terms, not just the headline number. Once you choose, we negotiate the letter of intent.
- 5
Diligence and closing
We coordinate document requests, financing and the closing schedule with your attorney and CPA. Our Acquisition Financing Guidance helps when lender approval is part of the deal.
What moves the fee on a merger or acquisition
Putting your company on the market with us costs nothing at the start. We charge no retainer and add no hidden charges along the way. Our fee is earned only when the seller is paid at closing, and we walk through exactly how it is figured on your first call.
- Size of the deal
- Larger transactions involve more parties, more diligence and a longer timeline. The fee structure reflects the value of what changes hands.
- Condition of the books
- Clean, reconciled financials move quickly. Mixed personal and business expenses or missing tax returns take more work to normalize before a buyer will trust them.
- Deal structure
- An asset sale with cash at closing is simpler than a stock sale with an earnout and a seller note. Each added term adds negotiation and paperwork.
- Real estate in the deal
- When the building or land is included, the sale touches leases, appraisals and title work. Our Business and Property Sales service covers those combined transactions.
Mergers and acquisitions questions
Something not covered here? (512) 881-7058
What is the difference between a merger and an acquisition for a small company?
In practice, most small and mid-sized deals are acquisitions: one company buys the other's assets or shares. A true merger, where two owners combine and both stay on, is less common and needs careful agreements on control and future buyouts. We help you decide which one fits your goals.
How do you keep the deal confidential from my staff and customers?
We describe the business without naming it until a buyer signs a nondisclosure agreement. Calls and meetings happen by phone, video or at our office, not at your business. Site visits are scheduled after hours or framed as routine when the time comes.
Should I sell assets or stock?
Buyers usually prefer an asset sale because they avoid the seller's past liabilities. Sellers often prefer a stock sale for tax reasons. We show you how each option changes your net proceeds, and your CPA and attorney confirm the tax and legal side.
Can you help me acquire a competitor instead of selling?
Yes. We help you identify targets, approach owners confidentially, value the business and structure an offer. If you are looking at listed businesses as well, our Buy a Business page explains how buyer registration works.
How long does a merger or acquisition take?
It depends on how ready the financials are, how many buyers are interested and how financing comes together. Diligence and lender approval are usually the longest stretches. We give you a realistic timeline once we have seen your numbers.
Know what your company is worth to the right buyer
If an offer is already on your desk, or you are weighing an acquisition near Liberty Hill, a short conversation will clarify your options. We start with the numbers and show you everything we find.