Selling a Business in Harrisonburg

Owners in the Harrisonburg area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,343 employer businesses, and 85% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Harrisonburg by the numbers

3,343

3,343

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

85%

85%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

11,187

11,187

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

55,895

55,895

EMPLOYMENT

$2.8 billion

$2.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,496

1,496

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 Harrisonburg compares

  • The Harrisonburg area ranks 8th of 9 Virginia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 7.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Harrisonburg, compared with 3% in Virginia.

  • 1,496 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Harrisonburg area ranks 8th of 9 Virginia metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 7.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Transportation and warehousing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Harrisonburg, compared with 3% in Virginia.

  • 1,496 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 531 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 447 employer businesses

  • Construction: 422 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 344 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 323 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 531 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 447 employer businesses

  • Construction: 422 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 344 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 323 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 Harrisonburg

Retail, repair, personal care and other services, construction, health care and social assistance

Every kind of business we sell in Harrisonburg

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

423 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

  • General Contracting: 139 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

304 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Medical Practices

219 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Automotive & Boat

186 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

  • Auto Repair: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

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

  • Car Washes: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Retail Stores

186 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Financial & Professional Services

174 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Logistics & Transportation

154 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Manufacturing

109 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Gas Stations & Convenience

80 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Beauty & Personal Care

67 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

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

  • Day Spas: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Home Services

65 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Wholesale & Distribution

59 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Hospitality & Travel

40 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

  • Hotels: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

33 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Education & Childcare

23 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

  • Daycare Centers: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

22 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Technology & Media

17 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Pet Services

14 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Energy & Utilities

12 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Entertainment & Recreation

12 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 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.

Senior Care & Living

10 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

423 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

  • General Contracting: 139 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 50 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 48 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 34 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Restaurants & Food

304 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Medical Practices

219 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Automotive & Boat

186 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

  • Auto Repair: 74 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

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

  • Car Washes: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Retail Stores

186 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Financial & Professional Services

174 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Logistics & Transportation

154 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Manufacturing

109 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Gas Stations & Convenience

80 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Beauty & Personal Care

67 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

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

  • Day Spas: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Home Services

65 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Wholesale & Distribution

59 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Hospitality & Travel

40 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

  • Hotels: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 5 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.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

33 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Education & Childcare

23 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

  • Daycare Centers: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Health & Fitness

22 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Technology & Media

17 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Pet Services

14 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Energy & Utilities

12 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

Entertainment & Recreation

12 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 9 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.

Senior Care & Living

10 related employer businesses in Harrisonburg.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Harrisonburg

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Harrisonburg ask

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

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 Harrisonburg?

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 Harrisonburg

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