How long does it take to sell an electrical business?

The typical timeline from initial conversation to completion is six to nine months. Most of that time goes on meetings, offers, due diligence, and legal completion. Every sale is different, and we never rush the process.

Will my staff find out I am considering a sale?

Not unless you choose to tell them. Confidentiality is the foundation of our process. We use anonymised teasers when approaching buyers, and no information about your business is shared until you have reviewed and approved each step. Your electricians, office staff, and clients will not know you are considering a sale.

What happens to my engineers when the business is sold?

If the buyer buys your company's shares, your electricians' employer does not change, so TUPE does not apply; if it buys the business's assets, TUPE normally moves them across on their existing terms. Their own qualifications and ECS cards go with them. NICEIC certification belongs to the business, not the electrician, and does not pass automatically to a buyer's company on an asset sale. Buyers generally want to keep qualified electricians, as they are one of the most valuable assets in the business.

Does an initial conversation commit me to anything?

No. The initial conversation is free and completely confidential, and you decide whether to go any further.

Do I need to prepare my business before speaking to you?

No preparation is needed for the first conversation. We want to understand your situation, your business, and your timeline. If you decide to proceed, we will guide you through what buyers typically want to see, including three years of accounts, contract lists, NICEIC and NAPIT certifications, and employee records.

How selling your electrical business works.

A structured, confidential process designed to protect your business and maximise your outcome.

From first conversation to completion.

Every sale follows the same structured process. No surprises, no ambiguity, and complete confidentiality at every stage.

First Conversation

Everything starts with a free first conversation. We want to understand your situation: why you are considering a sale, your timeline, any concerns.

Electrical testing and inspection equipment on a steel workbench

Understanding Your Business

We take a detailed look at your operation: your register of qualified electricians, engineer qualifications, maintenance contract book, EV charging capability, fleet condition, and financial performance. This helps us understand what makes your business valuable and how to position it to buyers.

Electrical engineer inspecting a commercial switchboard and distribution board

Your Valuation

Based on our analysis, we provide a realistic valuation range. We explain the methodology and the factors driving the number. You then decide whether to proceed.

Finding the Right Buyers

We approach our register of pre-qualified buyers: groups backed by private equity (investment firms that buy companies to grow and sell on) building electrical contracting portfolios, national Electrical groups expanding geographically, and firms in the trade looking for capability. We put your business in front of several suitable buyers at once, so they compete and you have more than one offer to weigh.

Completion and Beyond

We manage negotiations, due diligence (the buyer's detailed check of your business), and legal coordination through to completion. Owners commonly stay on for a handover period of three to twelve months. Your electricians are protected either way: if the buyer buys your company's shares their employer does not change, and if it buys the business's assets TUPE, the rules that move staff across on their existing terms, applies. Your clients experience minimal disruption.

Typical Timeline

Week 1-2: Initial conversation and information gathering

Week 3-4: Valuation and positioning

Month 2-3: Buyer approaches and interest

Month 3-5: Meetings and offers

Month 5-9: Due diligence and completion

This is how the sale itself runs. If you are a few years away, there is work to do before it, and the Reads Pre-Sale Programme takes it stage by stage.

Your privacy is protected at every stage.

Throughout the entire process, confidentiality is absolute. We approach buyers with an anonymised teaser, a short summary that does not name you. No information about your business is shared until you have reviewed and approved each step. Your staff, clients, and competitors will not know you are considering a sale unless you choose to tell them.

A clear, structured process.

Free First Conversation

Every conversation starts with understanding your business. We assess your turnover, contract book, team qualifications, and growth trajectory to establish a realistic valuation range. No cost, completely confidential.

Qualified Buyer Matching

Our buyer register is open to PE-backed platforms, national electrical contracting groups, and other contractors in the trade specifically looking to buy electrical businesses. We match your business to the right buyers and put it in front of several of them at once, so they compete.

Managed Sale Process

From initial valuation through to completion, we manage every stage. NDAs, buyer meetings, negotiations, due diligence (the buyer's detailed check of your business), and legal coordination. You focus on running your business while we handle the sale.

Start with a free first conversation.

Tell us about your business and we will be in touch within two working days.

Thank you for getting in touch.

Simon Read will be in contact within two working days. Everything you have shared is treated in the strictest confidence.