Selling a Business in Hilton Head Island

Owners in the Hilton Head Island area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 6,925 employer businesses, and 89% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Hilton Head Island by the numbers

6,925

6,925

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

89%

89%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

25,833

25,833

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

68,808

68,808

EMPLOYMENT

$3.3 billion

$3.3 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,589

2,589

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 Hilton Head Island compares

  • The Hilton Head Island area ranks 6th of 8 South Carolina metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 13.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Real estate and rental makes up 10% of employer businesses in Hilton Head Island, compared with 6% in South Carolina.

  • 2,589 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Hilton Head Island area ranks 6th of 8 South Carolina metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 13.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Real estate and rental makes up 10% of employer businesses in Hilton Head Island, compared with 6% in South Carolina.

  • 2,589 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 945 employer businesses

  • Construction: 934 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 765 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 698 employer businesses

  • Real estate and rental: 675 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 945 employer businesses

  • Construction: 934 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 765 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 698 employer businesses

  • Real estate and rental: 675 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

Every kind of business we sell in Hilton Head Island

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Hilton Head Island. 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

962 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

  • General Contracting: 272 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 181 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 173 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Financial & Professional Services

666 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Restaurants & Food

631 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Retail Stores

451 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Medical Practices

446 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Home Services

225 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Automotive & Boat

183 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

  • Auto Repair: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Beauty & Personal Care

147 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

  • Hair Salons: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

105 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

  • Hotels: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 8 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.

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

Manufacturing

97 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Gas Stations & Convenience

95 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Wholesale & Distribution

95 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Logistics & Transportation

94 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Technology & Media

90 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Entertainment & Recreation

81 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bars & Pubs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

67 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Health & Fitness

40 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Energy & Utilities

35 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Pet Services

32 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Education & Childcare

26 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

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

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Hilton Head Island. 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

962 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

  • General Contracting: 272 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 181 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 173 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 103 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 33 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Financial & Professional Services

666 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Restaurants & Food

631 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Retail Stores

451 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Medical Practices

446 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Home Services

225 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Automotive & Boat

183 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

  • Auto Repair: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Beauty & Personal Care

147 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

  • Hair Salons: 87 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

105 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

  • Hotels: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 8 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.

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

Manufacturing

97 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Gas Stations & Convenience

95 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Wholesale & Distribution

95 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Logistics & Transportation

94 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Technology & Media

90 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Entertainment & Recreation

81 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bars & Pubs: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x 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.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

67 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Health & Fitness

40 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Energy & Utilities

35 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Pet Services

32 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Senior Care & Living

31 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

Education & Childcare

26 related employer businesses in Hilton Head Island.

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

  • Tutoring Centers: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Hilton Head Island

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Hilton Head Island ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Hilton Head Island?

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 Hilton Head Island?

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 Hilton Head Island

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