Selling a Business in Kingston

Owners in the Kingston area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 5,065 employer businesses, and 91% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Kingston by the numbers

5,065

5,065

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

91%

91%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

19,960

19,960

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

44,452

44,452

EMPLOYMENT

$2.1 billion

$2.1 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,772

1,772

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 Kingston compares

  • The Kingston area ranks 8th of 13 New York metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 13% of employer businesses in Kingston, compared with 9% in New York.

  • 1,772 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Kingston area ranks 8th of 13 New York metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 3.9% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 13% of employer businesses in Kingston, compared with 9% in New York.

  • 1,772 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 674 employer businesses

  • Construction: 651 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 630 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 542 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 512 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Retail: 674 employer businesses

  • Construction: 651 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 630 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 542 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 512 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 Kingston

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

753 related employer businesses in Kingston.

  • General Contracting: 233 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 83 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: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

Restaurants & Food

569 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Medical Practices

257 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Retail Stores

209 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Financial & Professional Services

205 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Automotive & Boat

181 related employer businesses in Kingston.

  • Auto Repair: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Car Washes: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

157 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Technology & Media

126 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Gas Stations & Convenience

109 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Logistics & Transportation

96 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Hospitality & Travel

93 related employer businesses in Kingston.

  • Hotels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

86 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Wholesale & Distribution

81 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Beauty & Personal Care

73 related employer businesses in Kingston.

  • Hair Salons: 40 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: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

61 related employer businesses in Kingston.

  • Bars & Pubs: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Education & Childcare

60 related employer businesses in Kingston.

  • Daycare Centers: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

56 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Health & Fitness

43 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

39 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Pet Services

27 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Senior Care & Living

26 related employer businesses in Kingston.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

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

753 related employer businesses in Kingston.

  • General Contracting: 233 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 83 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 83 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: 69 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Masonry: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Roofing & Siding: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

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

Restaurants & Food

569 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Medical Practices

257 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Retail Stores

209 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Financial & Professional Services

205 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Automotive & Boat

181 related employer businesses in Kingston.

  • Auto Repair: 86 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 24 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

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

  • Car Washes: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Marinas: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Manufacturing

157 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Technology & Media

126 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Gas Stations & Convenience

109 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Logistics & Transportation

96 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Hospitality & Travel

93 related employer businesses in Kingston.

  • Hotels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 29 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Home Services

86 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Wholesale & Distribution

81 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Beauty & Personal Care

73 related employer businesses in Kingston.

  • Hair Salons: 40 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: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

61 related employer businesses in Kingston.

  • Bars & Pubs: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x 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.

Education & Childcare

60 related employer businesses in Kingston.

  • Daycare Centers: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Energy & Utilities

56 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Health & Fitness

43 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

39 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Pet Services

27 related employer businesses in Kingston.

Senior Care & Living

26 related employer businesses in Kingston.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Kingston

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Kingston ask

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

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 Kingston?

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 Kingston

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