Selling a Business in Elmira

Owners in the Elmira area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 1,647 employer businesses, and 82% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Elmira by the numbers

1,647

1,647

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

82%

82%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

4,408

4,408

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

27,912

27,912

EMPLOYMENT

$1.4 billion

$1.4 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

801

801

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 Elmira compares

  • The Elmira area ranks 13th of 13 New York metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 5.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Elmira, compared with 3% in New York.

  • 801 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Elmira area ranks 13th of 13 New York metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses fell 5.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Elmira, compared with 3% in New York.

  • 801 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 301 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 198 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 195 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 183 employer businesses

  • Construction: 145 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 301 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 198 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 195 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 183 employer businesses

  • Construction: 145 employer businesses

What buyers look for

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

INDUSTRIES

What sells in Elmira

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, accommodation and food service, health care and social assistance

Every kind of business we sell in Elmira

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Elmira. 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.

Restaurants & Food

167 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Construction & Engineering

155 related employer businesses in Elmira.

  • General Contracting: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Retail Stores

127 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Automotive & Boat

75 related employer businesses in Elmira.

  • Auto Repair: 25 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.

  • Collision Repair: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

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

Medical Practices

73 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Manufacturing

59 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Financial & Professional Services

55 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Gas Stations & Convenience

46 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Logistics & Transportation

39 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Wholesale & Distribution

39 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Entertainment & Recreation

33 related employer businesses in Elmira.

  • Bars & Pubs: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

29 related employer businesses in Elmira.

  • Nail Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

24 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Hospitality & Travel

24 related employer businesses in Elmira.

  • Hotels: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Health & Fitness

19 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

18 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Education & Childcare

16 related employer businesses in Elmira.

  • Daycare Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Pet Services

12 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Senior Care & Living

9 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Energy & Utilities

7 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Technology & Media

3 related employer businesses in Elmira.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Elmira. 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.

Restaurants & Food

167 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Construction & Engineering

155 related employer businesses in Elmira.

  • General Contracting: 53 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Interior Finishing: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Electrical: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Retail Stores

127 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Automotive & Boat

75 related employer businesses in Elmira.

  • Auto Repair: 25 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.

  • Collision Repair: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

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

Medical Practices

73 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Manufacturing

59 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Financial & Professional Services

55 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Gas Stations & Convenience

46 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Logistics & Transportation

39 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Wholesale & Distribution

39 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Entertainment & Recreation

33 related employer businesses in Elmira.

  • Bars & Pubs: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Beauty & Personal Care

29 related employer businesses in Elmira.

  • Nail Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Hair Salons: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

24 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Hospitality & Travel

24 related employer businesses in Elmira.

  • Hotels: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Health & Fitness

19 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

18 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Education & Childcare

16 related employer businesses in Elmira.

  • Daycare Centers: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Pet Services

12 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Senior Care & Living

9 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Energy & Utilities

7 related employer businesses in Elmira.

Technology & Media

3 related employer businesses in Elmira.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Elmira

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Elmira ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Elmira?

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 Elmira?

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 Elmira

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