Dallas–Fort Worth · Valuation
Where can I get professional business valuation services in Dallas before selling?
The three kinds of valuation a Dallas owner can get before selling, what each costs and delivers, and which one a sale actually needs.
By Michael D. Rubin, CEO & Founder · September 2026 · 806 words
In Dallas, MDR & Associates offers three levels of valuation before a sale: a free online valuation snapshot, a free confidential opinion of value after reviewing three years of financials, and a formal third-party valuation as a separate, paid service. Which one you need depends on why you want the number.
For most owners preparing to sell, the free opinion of value is the right place to start. A formal valuation is for specific situations, covered below.
The three levels compared
The snapshot and the opinion of value are built for owners thinking about a sale. The formal valuation serves a different purpose: it produces a document other people can rely on. Many owners use all three over time, starting with the snapshot to see the scale, moving to the opinion of value when a sale becomes real, and ordering a formal report only if a partner, lender or estate plan requires one.
| Valuation snapshot | Opinion of value | Formal third-party valuation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A quick online estimate from a few key figures | A low-to-high range from an M&A advisor after reviewing three years of financials | A written valuation report prepared independently |
| Cost | Free | Free, as part of a confidential discovery meeting | A separate service with its own price |
| Best for | A first sense of scale | Deciding whether and when to sell | Partner buyouts, estate or gift planning, lenders, disputes, or owners who want a formal report |
| Based on | Your summary inputs | Your statements, recast earnings and current buyer demand | Recognized valuation methods and documented assumptions |
Why a sale usually starts with an opinion of value
A sale price is set by buyers competing, not by a report. What you need before selling is a realistic range based on what buyers are paying for companies like yours, and an honest list of what will push your price up or down. An M&A advisor who negotiates offers regularly can tell you how buyers will read your numbers.
The opinion of value starts with a financial recast. The advisor restates your profit to remove owner perks, one-time costs and non-market salaries, arriving at adjusted EBITDA: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, after those adjustments. Value is most often three to seven times adjusted EBITDA for a business in the $3 million to $100 million revenue range, and the range you receive reflects where your company sits in that band.
A good opinion of value gives you more than a number. It should tell you which parts of your business buyers will like, which they will question, and what you could change to move toward the top of your range before going to market.
When a formal valuation is worth paying for
MDR & Associates offers formal third-party business valuation as an optional service with its own price, separate from its sale fee. Your CPA or attorney can tell you whether your situation calls for one.
- You are buying out a partner or shareholder, and both sides need an independent number.
- Your CPA or estate attorney needs a supported value for gift or estate planning.
- A lender, a court or an agreement requires a formal written valuation.
- You want an independent report to test the price before a sale to family or managers.
What to bring to any valuation meeting
If your statements and tax returns do not match, bring an explanation from your CPA. Differences are common and usually explainable, but they need to be understood before a buyer finds them.
- Profit and loss statements and balance sheets for the last three years, plus year to date.
- Federal tax returns for the same years.
- A list of owner expenses and one-time costs running through the company.
- Your top customers and their share of revenue.
- Key contracts, leases and any debt.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not treat an online estimate as a price. Do not rely on a rule of thumb a friend heard about a different industry. Do not assume a formal appraisal will set your sale price; buyers will run their own analysis and negotiate from it. Do not pay for a formal report just to feel certain; if its only use is a sale, the buyers' competing offers will be the real test. And do not wait to learn your value until a buyer calls with an offer, because by then you are reacting instead of deciding. Our long read on what your business is worth explains the value drivers in detail.
Getting a valuation from MDR & Associates
We serve owners across Dallas and Texas from Frisco. Start with the free valuation snapshot online, then book a confidential discovery meeting through our Dallas contact page. After reviewing three years of financials, we give you a low-to-high opinion of value and tell you what buyers will focus on. There is no charge and no obligation.
Where this fitsDallas business brokers and M&A advisors →