Free private planning range
Answer a short set of questions and see a range with the main assumptions shown. Use it to plan, not as a formal valuation.
Private owner guide
DIY business valuation: start with a private planning range
You can estimate what your business might sell for without hiring a broker first. DealPilot gives a free private planning range, shows the assumptions, and lets you stop there — or add a documented report, seller kit, or Deal Room only if you need them.
Free to start. No credit card. Not a broker. Nothing is published without your explicit choice.
Honest DIY path
Optional documented report — $245
Adds normalized profit assumptions and written methodology for owner review. Still not an appraisal.
Optional seller kit — $995 · Deal Room — $145/mo
Organize sale materials, then share privately if you decide to talk to a buyer. You stay in control.
How a DIY business valuation actually works
Most owner-led valuations follow the same path: clean up profit, apply a planning multiple, then decide whether the number is good enough to keep preparing — or to wait. DealPilot is built for that first private step.
Step 1
Collect the numbers you already have
Revenue, owner pay, and a plain-English profit figure are enough to start. Tax returns help later, but you do not need a full data room for a first range.
Step 2
Turn profit into seller discretionary earnings
Buyers look at yearly take-home profit after adding back owner salary and one-time costs. That figure is usually called SDE.
Step 3
Apply a planning multiple, then stress-test it
Industry, customer concentration, growth, and owner dependence move the range. A DIY valuation should show those assumptions, not hide them.
Step 4
Keep the result private until you choose otherwise
A planning range is for your decision. Nothing is listed or shared unless you later open a Deal Room or publish on purpose.
What you can buy — and what you can skip
Free
Private planning range
Start on the estimate form. See a range, readiness notes, and the assumptions behind them. No credit card.
Start free estimateOptional · $245 one-time
Documented planning report
Written assumptions, normalized profit context, and a PDF path where available — for your review, not third-party reliance.
Compare the reportOptional · $995 kit · $145/mo Deal Room
Seller kit and Deal Room
Organize CIM-style materials, then share privately if and when you choose. Still owner-controlled. Still not a broker listing.
See current pricingWhat a DIY valuation is not
Owners search “DIY business valuation” when they want a number without handing the company to an outsider. That is fair. It is also where overclaims start. Use DealPilot as a planning tool, then bring in a professional if a sale, loan, or tax event needs one.
- It is a software-generated planning range, not a certified appraisal or fairness opinion.
- It is not brokerage, legal, tax, accounting, or investment advice.
- A buyer, lender, or CPA may still ask for their own review before relying on any number.
- DealPilot is a DIY toolkit for owners. We are not a business broker and do not source buyers for a commission.
Related owner guides
How to value a small business
Owner method: SDE vs profit, add-backs, planning multiples, and what moves the range.
Value my business
Product page for the free planning range and optional upgrades.
Business valuation guides by industry
HVAC, restaurants, SaaS, and other industry planning notes.
Sell my business without a broker
Whether to sell yourself, hire help, or get prepared first.
Sell an HVAC business
Industry example of a private planning path before sharing sale intent.
Also see the HVAC value-planning guide if you want industry-specific inputs.
Frequently Asked Questions
DIY valuation basics: private planning ranges, SDE, and what comes after the free estimate.
How do I value a small business without hiring a broker first?
Start with a private planning range based on revenue, owner take-home profit (often called SDE — Seller's Discretionary Earnings), industry context, and owner involvement. DealPilot walks you through those inputs so you can see a planning range and the assumptions behind it before you share sensitive details or hire outside help.
Is a free business value estimate the same as a certified appraisal?
No. A DealPilot planning range is an informational owner tool — not a certified appraisal, formal valuation opinion, or guarantee of sale price. Use it to organize numbers and readiness notes. Bring in a qualified appraiser, CPA, or attorney when you need formal opinions for financing, tax, or legal decisions.
Can I sell my business without a broker using DealPilot?
Many owners prepare privately first, then decide whether to sell themselves, hire a broker later, or pause. DealPilot is owner-led software for planning ranges, readiness work, and review-ready materials. It does not replace brokerage, legal, or tax advice, and it does not promise buyer pools or marketplace inventory.
What information do I need to start a private planning range?
Rough annual sales and yearly take-home profit are enough to start. Tax returns, add-backs, customer mix, and how much the business depends on you make the range more useful later. You can refine inputs over time without publishing anything.
Will my business stay private while I use DealPilot?
Yes. Your planning work stays in a private workspace by default. Nothing about your company name, financials, or sale intent goes public unless you choose a specific share or publish step.
How is DealPilot different from listing my business on a public marketplace?
Public listing sites focus on exposure. DealPilot focuses on preparation first: a private planning range, readiness gaps, and organized seller materials. You decide if and when to share with anyone. DealPilot does not invent buyer demand or promise listing liquidity.
What does Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) mean?
SDE is a common small-business profit measure: roughly the yearly cash benefit to one full-time owner-operator after adding back owner salary, personal expenses run through the business, and one-time costs. Buyers often apply an industry multiple to SDE when forming an offer range.
How long does it take to prepare a small business for sale?
Timelines vary by industry, bookkeeping quality, and how owner-dependent the business is. Many owners spend weeks to months cleaning financials, documenting processes, and reducing key-person risk before a serious process. A private planning range helps you see which prep steps matter most for your situation.
Do I need perfect financials before I start?
No. Start with the best numbers you have, then tighten them. Cleaner P&Ls, tax returns, and documented add-backs usually improve buyer confidence later. DealPilot helps you see readiness gaps early so you are not learning them under diligence pressure.
What does DealPilot cost after the free planning range?
The initial planning range is free to start. Optional paid tools include a documented planning report, a seller launch kit, and a monthly deal room when you are actively managing a process. Pricing is flat and listed on the pricing page — not a percentage of sale price. If you have a promo code such as TRACTION129, you can enter it at checkout when offered.
Start the DIY valuation privately
Get the free planning range first. Add the $245 report, $995 seller kit, or $145/mo Deal Room only if those tools help your next step.
Start my free planning range