Selling a Business in Washington County
Washington County has 845 employer businesses, and 90% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here. The largest industries here are retail and construction.
Areas in Maine
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Washington County by the numbers
845
845
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
90%
90%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
3,806
3,806
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
7,475
7,475
EMPLOYMENT
$366 million
$366 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
302
302
BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES
U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.
How Washington County compares
Washington County ranks 15th of 16 Maine counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 2.3% between 2018 and 2023.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing makes up 8% of employer businesses in Washington County, compared with 2% in Maine.
302 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Washington County ranks 15th of 16 Maine counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 2.3% between 2018 and 2023.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing makes up 8% of employer businesses in Washington County, compared with 2% in Maine.
302 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 133 employer businesses
Construction: 109 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 103 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 78 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 71 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 133 employer businesses
Construction: 109 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 103 employer businesses
Accommodation and food service: 78 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 71 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Washington County
Retail, construction, health care and social assistance, accommodation and food service
Every kind of business we sell in Washington County
These are the industries in Washington County and the number of employer businesses in each. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Construction & Engineering
101 related employer businesses in Washington County.
General Contracting: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
68 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
34 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
32 related employer businesses in Washington County.
General Freight Trucking: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Medical Practices
31 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Primary & Family Care: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
29 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Auto Repair: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
26 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Gas Stations & Convenience
24 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Gas Stations: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Energy & Utilities
19 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Waste Management & Recycling: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Water & Wastewater Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
15 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Insurance Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
13 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Hotels: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Senior Care & Living
13 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Manufacturing
12 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Education & Childcare
10 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Daycare Centers: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Health & Fitness
10 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
7 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
4 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Services
4 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Residential Cleaning: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
These are the industries in Washington County and the number of employer businesses in each. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Construction & Engineering
101 related employer businesses in Washington County.
General Contracting: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Interior Finishing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Plumbing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Electrical: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Restaurants & Food
68 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
34 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
32 related employer businesses in Washington County.
General Freight Trucking: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Freight Brokerage & 3PL: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Medical Practices
31 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Primary & Family Care: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Mental & Behavioral Health: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Dental Practices: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
29 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Auto Repair: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Auto Parts: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Boat Dealerships: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Collision Repair: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
26 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Hobby, Toys & Gift Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE + Inventory.
Gas Stations & Convenience
24 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Gas Stations: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Energy & Utilities
19 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Waste Management & Recycling: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Water & Wastewater Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Financial & Professional Services
15 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Insurance Agencies: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Real Estate Brokerages: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Hospitality & Travel
13 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Hotels: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.
Motels: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.
Campgrounds & RV Parks: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Senior Care & Living
13 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Manufacturing
12 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Education & Childcare
10 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Daycare Centers: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Health & Fitness
10 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Wellness & Recovery Centers: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 5.5x - 9.7x EBITDA.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
7 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Compounding Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Home Infusion: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Entertainment & Recreation
4 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Home Services
4 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Residential Cleaning: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Pet Services
3 related employer businesses in Washington County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Working with owners in Washington County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Washington County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Washington County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Washington County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Washington County?
Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.
Is the sale confidential?
Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.
FROM OUR BLOG
Guides for owners in Washington County
October 3, 2025
Business Owners
Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On
Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.
Read article
October 3, 2025
Business Owners
Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On
Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.
Read article
March 5, 2026
Business Owners
Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close
Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.
Read article
March 5, 2026
Business Owners
Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close
Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.
Read article
February 9, 2026
Business Owners
The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why
The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.
Read article
February 9, 2026
Business Owners
The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why
The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.
Read article