Inside a Miami Contractor Sale: Hidden Accounting Traps & Big Backlog

In this episode the hosts dissect a $23 million asking‑price acquisition of a Miami‑based specialty contractor with $41 M revenue, $4.7 M EBITDA, a $52 M backlog—and dig into its contract structure, accounting risks and deal suitability.Business Listing Link – https://businessesforsale.nuwireinvestor.com/business-opportunity/specialty-contractor-with-long-term-contracts-and-62mm-backlog/2395873/?J=ANWelcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.💰 Sponsored by:Tonnesen Accounting Services - Tonnesen provides full quality of earnings reports trusted by buyers, lenders, and brokers on over $500 million in deals each year. Fast, detailed, and affordable. Visit tonnesenaccountingservices.com or connect with Josh Tonnesen on LinkedIn for a free consult.Acquisition Lab – Your fast-track to business ownership. Get hands-on support, world-class resources, and join a top-tier community of acquisition entrepreneurs. Schedule your free consultation at https://www.acquisitionlab.com and mention Acquisitions Anonymous!In this episode, the team reviews a specialty contractor serving healthcare and aviation clients in Miami‑Dade County, founded in 2007, with ~$41 M in revenue, ~$4.7 M in EBITDA, and a contracted backlog of ~$52 M. The asking price of ~$23 M implies about a 4.9× EBITDA multiple. The business claims that 80‑85% of revenue comes from renewable 3‑5 year institutional contracts with government and institutional clients, and emphasizes a capital‑light model with only ~$100k in equipment and ~53 employees.Key Highlights:- Revenue ~$41‑45 M, EBITDA ~$4.7 M (~10% margin) with backlog ~$52 M.- Asking price ~$23 M → ~4.9× EBITDA, which is reasonable compared to many contractor deals.- Contract structure: 80‑85% from 3‑5 year renewable institutional contracts (government, healthcare, aviation) which reduce reliance on open bidding.- Accounting/diligence risks: low equipment/FF&E (~$100k) suggests perhaps subcontract model or specialized niche; retainage, WIP, deferred revenue and billing practices must be scrutinized.- Buyer fit & financing: likely better for an industry‑experienced buyer; banks/lenders will want low leverage and proven transition plan given the contract complexity and possible change‑of‑control risk.Subscribe to weekly our Newsletter and get curated deals in your inboxAdvertise with us by clicking here Do you love Acquanon and want to see our smiling faces? Subscribe to our Youtube channel. Do you enjoy our content? Rate our show! Follow us on Twitter @acquanon Learnings about small business acquisitions and operations. For inquiries or suggestions, email us at [email protected]

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