Home

/

/

/

Washington County

Selling a Business in Washington County

Washington County has 2,118 employer businesses, and 88% 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 repair, personal care and other services.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Washington County by the numbers

2,118

2,118

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

88%

88%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

6,477

6,477

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

26,122

26,122

EMPLOYMENT

$1.4 billion

$1.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

870

870

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 2nd of 14 Vermont counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 3.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Washington County, compared with 10% in Vermont.

  • 870 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Washington County ranks 2nd of 14 Vermont counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 3.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Repair, personal care and other services makes up 12% of employer businesses in Washington County, compared with 10% in Vermont.

  • 870 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 322 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 264 employer businesses

  • Construction: 249 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 221 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 216 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 322 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 264 employer businesses

  • Construction: 249 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 221 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 216 employer businesses

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Washington County

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, construction, professional and technical services

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

309 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • General Contracting: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

134 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Medical Practices

108 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Retail Stores

108 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Manufacturing

91 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Automotive & Boat

90 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • Auto Repair: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Financial & Professional Services

82 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

55 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • Gas Stations: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Technology & Media

36 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Wholesale & Distribution

35 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Hospitality & Travel

34 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • Hotels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Health & Fitness

32 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Home Services

28 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Entertainment & Recreation

26 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

25 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • Daycare Centers: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

24 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Energy & Utilities

15 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Senior Care & Living

15 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

11 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Beauty & Personal Care

10 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Pet Services

10 related employer businesses 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

309 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • General Contracting: 82 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

134 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Medical Practices

108 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Retail Stores

108 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Manufacturing

91 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Automotive & Boat

90 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • Auto Repair: 40 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Financial & Professional Services

82 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

55 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • Gas Stations: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

  • Convenience Stores: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.

Technology & Media

36 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Wholesale & Distribution

35 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Hospitality & Travel

34 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • Hotels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Health & Fitness

32 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Home Services

28 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Entertainment & Recreation

26 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • Bars & Pubs: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

25 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • Daycare Centers: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

24 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Energy & Utilities

15 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Senior Care & Living

15 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

11 related employer businesses in Washington County.

Beauty & Personal Care

10 related employer businesses in Washington County.

  • Day Spas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

Pet Services

10 related employer businesses in Washington County.

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