Selling a Business in Summit County

Summit County has 2,306 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.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Summit County by the numbers

2,306

2,306

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

90%

90%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

4,996

4,996

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

22,915

22,915

EMPLOYMENT

$975 million

$975 million

ANNUAL PAYROLL

724

724

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 Summit County compares

  • Summit County ranks 16th of 64 Colorado counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Real estate and rental makes up 16% of employer businesses in Summit County, compared with 8% in Colorado.

  • 724 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • Summit County ranks 16th of 64 Colorado counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 1.6% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Real estate and rental makes up 16% of employer businesses in Summit County, compared with 8% in Colorado.

  • 724 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Real estate and rental: 365 employer businesses

  • Construction: 347 employer businesses

  • Retail: 311 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 297 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 269 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Real estate and rental: 365 employer businesses

  • Construction: 347 employer businesses

  • Retail: 311 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 297 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 269 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in Summit County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Summit County. 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

357 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • General Contracting: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Financial & Professional Services

289 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Restaurants & Food

251 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Retail Stores

185 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Home Services

140 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Medical Practices

81 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Hospitality & Travel

52 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Hotels: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

44 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Hair Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Technology & Media

41 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Entertainment & Recreation

31 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • 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.

Automotive & Boat

27 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Auto Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Auto Parts: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

23 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Wholesale & Distribution

19 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Education & Childcare

14 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Daycare Centers: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

13 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

13 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Gas Stations: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Manufacturing

11 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Health & Fitness

6 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

4 related employer businesses in Summit County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Summit County. 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

357 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • General Contracting: 98 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Financial & Professional Services

289 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Restaurants & Food

251 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Retail Stores

185 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Home Services

140 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Medical Practices

81 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Hospitality & Travel

52 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Hotels: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

44 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Hair Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

Technology & Media

41 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Entertainment & Recreation

31 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 20 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • 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.

Automotive & Boat

27 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Auto Repair: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Towing & Repo: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Auto Parts: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

Logistics & Transportation

23 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Wholesale & Distribution

19 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Education & Childcare

14 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Daycare Centers: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

13 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Gas Stations & Convenience

13 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Gas Stations: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Manufacturing

11 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Pet Services

9 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Health & Fitness

6 related employer businesses in Summit County.

  • Gyms & Health Clubs: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 2.93x SDE.

  • Yoga Studios: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.07x - 2.50x SDE.

  • Pilates Studios: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.10x - 3.00x SDE.

  • Personal Training Studios: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.00x - 2.80x SDE.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

4 related employer businesses in Summit County.

Working with owners in Summit County

Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Summit County. Contact us to talk about a sale.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Summit County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Summit County?

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers. Many sales take six months or longer from the start of the process to closing.

How is a business valued in Summit 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 Summit 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