Selling a Business in Mount Vernon

Owners in the Mount Vernon area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 3,670 employer businesses, and 88% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Mount Vernon by the numbers

3,670

3,670

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

88%

88%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

8,821

8,821

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

44,636

44,636

EMPLOYMENT

$2.7 billion

$2.7 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,523

1,523

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 Mount Vernon compares

  • The Mount Vernon area ranks 8th of 11 Washington metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Mount Vernon, compared with 3% in Washington.

  • 1,523 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Mount Vernon area ranks 8th of 11 Washington metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 2.4% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Manufacturing makes up 5% of employer businesses in Mount Vernon, compared with 3% in Washington.

  • 1,523 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 567 employer businesses

  • Retail: 496 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 376 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 375 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 361 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 567 employer businesses

  • Retail: 496 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 376 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 375 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 361 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 Mount Vernon

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Mount Vernon. 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

627 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

  • General Contracting: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 106 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

320 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Financial & Professional Services

221 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Medical Practices

201 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Retail Stores

170 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Automotive & Boat

139 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

  • Auto Repair: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

Manufacturing

120 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Logistics & Transportation

109 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Gas Stations & Convenience

61 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Wholesale & Distribution

61 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Home Services

58 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Beauty & Personal Care

55 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

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

  • Nail Salons: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

42 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

  • Hotels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

37 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

  • Daycare Centers: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

33 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

  • Bars & Pubs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 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

32 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Health & Fitness

29 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Pet Services

23 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

19 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Technology & Media

18 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Energy & Utilities

11 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Mount Vernon. 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

627 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

  • General Contracting: 205 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 106 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 88 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Restaurants & Food

320 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Financial & Professional Services

221 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Medical Practices

201 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Retail Stores

170 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Automotive & Boat

139 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

  • Auto Repair: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Dealerships: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Boat Dealerships: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

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

Manufacturing

120 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Logistics & Transportation

109 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Gas Stations & Convenience

61 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Wholesale & Distribution

61 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Home Services

58 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Beauty & Personal Care

55 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

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

  • Nail Salons: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

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

Hospitality & Travel

42 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

  • Hotels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 35 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

37 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

  • Daycare Centers: 37 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

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

Entertainment & Recreation

33 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

  • Bars & Pubs: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 4 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

32 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Health & Fitness

29 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Pet Services

23 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

19 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Technology & Media

18 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

Energy & Utilities

11 related employer businesses in Mount Vernon.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Mount Vernon

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Mount Vernon ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Mount Vernon?

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 Mount Vernon?

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 Mount Vernon

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