Independent local business broker
Help owners of small local firms sell up, find buyers and earn a commission when the sale completes.
- £1.5k-6k
- Part-time
- From home
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
You act as the go-between when an owner wants to sell a small business such as a shop, cafe, salon or trades firm. You value it with the owner, prepare the sales pack, market it confidentially, screen buyers and guide both sides through to completion alongside their solicitors and accountants.
Your first three steps
- Choose a sector or area you know, then study recent sales and asking prices on the main business-for-sale websites
- Draft your terms of engagement, a confidentiality agreement and a simple valuation template, and have a solicitor check them
- Contact local accountants, solicitors and commercial agents to ask for introductions to owners thinking of selling
Who pays
The business owner who is selling, usually through a success fee when the sale completes. Some brokers also charge a small upfront fee to cover marketing.
How it makes money
A percentage commission on the sale price, often with a minimum fee for smaller deals. Income is lumpy, because a sale can take many months to complete and some listings never sell.
Skills that help
- Building trust with owners quickly
- Understanding business accounts and valuations
- Negotiating and keeping deals moving
- Discretion with confidential information
Watch out for
- Check whether you need to register for anti-money laundering supervision with HMRC, which can apply to some brokers, especially where property is involved
- Professional indemnity insurance, as a poor valuation or bad advice could lead to a claim
- Data protection: check whether you need to pay the ICO fee, and handle sellers' financial data carefully
- Do not give legal or tax advice unless qualified; refer clients to a solicitor or accountant
- Income can be slow to arrive, so keep savings to cover several months without a completed sale
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: independent local business broker
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a business brokerage?
Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on your marketing, insurance and the tools you use. These are estimates, so get quotes before you commit.
How much can a local business broker earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how many sales complete. Income can be slow to arrive, so keep savings to cover several months without a completed sale.
What rules should I check before becoming a business broker?
Check whether you need to register for anti-money laundering supervision with HMRC, and whether you need to pay the ICO fee. Also check professional indemnity insurance, and avoid giving legal or tax advice unless qualified.
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