Watching the age limit
180 special buildings on a three-year cycle, a colleague recognized for two years. You wonder how to hand over without clients moving to TÜV.
Does this sound familiar?
Two situations we know
Recognition held only by you
Your firm runs well, but the recognition lies with you alone. You need a buyer who funds requalification.
Your day-to-day, as we know it
This is what happens in your business before anyone talks about succession
Integrated function test
Fire alarm system, smoke and heat exhaust ventilation, ventilation and door hold-open systems must trigger together. For that you need all trades on site at the same time.
Missing documents
The fire safety concept is outdated, and the as-built plans do not match the building. The inspection starts with paperwork.
Defects remain
The report lists defects with deadlines. The operator orders the repair late, and the re-inspection is postponed.
Few recognized experts
Every discipline needs a recognized certified inspection expert. If one drops out, special buildings are left without an inspector.
How we measure your company
The metrics we look at in the first call
We look at the numbers you use to run your business yourself. The right column shows our acquisition criterion.
| Metric | What it tells us | Our benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Recognized certified inspection experts per discipline | Whether your firm can sign off inspections with legal certainty without the owner. | We look for at least two recognized people. |
| Special buildings in the current inspection cycle | How predictable your recurring inspections under the state PrüfVO are. | Good from 100 special buildings in the cycle. |
| Share of recurring inspections versus initial inspections | How much your business depends on new construction. | We look for a high recurring share. |
| Disciplines in-house | Whether you inspect a special building from a single source. | Good with several disciplines, such as ventilation, smoke and heat exhaust ventilation and safety power. |
| Open re-inspections after the defect deadline | How much capacity is tied up in repeat appointments. | We look at the development over three years. |
What actually changes after the acquisition
Step by step
We automate the desk work. Professional decisions and customer contact stay with your people.
TodayWrite the inspection report to the building authority from checklist and photos
With GTPThe report is pre-drafted from the on-site capture. The certified inspection expert assesses and signs.
TodayReview system documents and the fire safety concept in advance
With GTPDocuments are checked for completeness and gaps are flagged. The professional assessment stays with the expert.
TodayTrack inspection deadlines per property and state ordinance
With GTPDue dates under PrüfVO NRW or SPrüfV Bavaria are reported automatically. Coordination with the operator stays personal.
TodayFollow up on defect deadlines and schedule re-inspections
With GTPReminders go to operators automatically. The expert carries out the re-inspection on site.
AI potential in the segment
How much desk work can really be automated here
This is GTP's assessment. We show it upfront so you can see what we will work with after the acquisition.
Checking documents against standards
A model checks the fire safety concept, ventilation plans and system log against the PrüfVO and relevant standards.
Report with a defect catalog
Site visit notes and photos become the inspection report with a sorted defect catalog and suggested deadlines.
Cycle and scheduling
The system manages the three-year cycle for each special building and coordinates dates with operators and installers.
What limits the technology here
Recognition is personal per federal state, and function tests require the person on site.
What this means for you
You gain time for site visits, because the document check and the report are prepared in advance.
Sources Rule R-17020 on the accreditation of inspection bodies under DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020:2012 (2024)
What we want to see
The documents we need
After the first call and the non-disclosure agreement, these five documents are enough for a solid offer.
- Recognition certificates of the certified inspection experts with discipline and age
- Property list of special buildings with inspection cycle and next due date
- Three anonymized inspection reports, including an integrated function test
- Overview of framework contracts with operators and municipalities
- Proof of professional liability insurance and claims history
What we buy
Our acquisition profile for this segment
Criteria
- At least two recognized certified inspection experts
- 100 or more special buildings in the cycle
- EBITDA €0.5m to €5m
- Digital inspection documentation
Value drivers
- Several recognitions in several states
- Properties in the current three-year cycle documented
- Next generation with 5 years of professional experience in-house
Value reducers
- Recognitions in only one federal state
- Age limit reached in less than 3 years
- High share of project reports
How you can tell we know your business
Three facts you can quote
- 01Special buildings are inspected every three years by certified inspection experts under the state inspection ordinances (e.g. Section 2 PrüfVO NRW).
- 02Recognition as a certified inspection expert requires an exam and five years of professional experience (MKBWK RLP 2024).
- 03The case of the Leisner expert firm shows that the transition works, but takes years without preparation (KERN 2020).
Market range, third-party source
What comparable companies trade at in the market
| Size class | EBITDA multiple |
|---|---|
| Micro-cap, revenue below €5m The relevant class for most succession cases in this segment | 3.5x to 5.5x |
| Small-cap, revenue €5m to €50m | 5.0x to 7.0x |
Category business services (B2B). Source: DUB KMU-Multiples Q2/2026. The DUB figures show asking prices and price expectations on a business marketplace. They do not include completed transactions. The range comes from an independent third party and is not an offer from GTP.
From multiple to cash
The multiple gives the enterprise value. What reaches your account depends on four items:
- Net financial debt
- Loans, leases and shareholder accounts are deducted, cash is added.
- Working capital
- We assume a normal level. An account emptied before the sale reduces the price.
- Investment backlog
- Vehicles, measuring equipment and software due in the next two years are deducted from the price.
- Payment structure
- Part of the price is paid only after signing, through a rollover or a performance-based component.
What lowers the value
If one of these points applies, the value drops:
- The owner personally holds the key customers
- Short remaining terms or contracts that can be terminated at any time
- If a large share of revenue depends on one customer, the price goes down.
- No second management level that runs the business without the owner
We calculate your value in the first call using your numbers. We go through the four items openly with you, even if the result is below your expectations.
All market data and the regulatory timeline for testing and experts
Frequently asked questions
What owners in this segment ask
Do I lose my recognition when I sell?
No. It is personal and stays with you. In a share deal, the company remains in place. What matters is who is recognized after you.
What if I am the only one recognized?
Then we only buy with a path to requalification. An employee with five years of experience takes the exam with our support. You stay until then.
What do you automate?
Inspection reports, defect lists, deadline tracking. The on-site inspection stays with the expert.
How fast?
Response usually within 72 h, recognition check in weeks 3 to 4, closing usually in 6 to 9 months.
Testing and experts
More segments in this area
Sell a structural inspection firm
Bridges, tunnels, retaining walls or noise barriers for the federal government, states, municipalities or Deutsche Bahn.
Sell an electrical testing companyTesting services for portable equipment, fixed installations and machines.
Sell a hazardous substance survey firmBuilding pollutants, asbestos surveys, contaminated sites and soil protection with recurring clients.
Additional testing servicesDrinking water and legionella testing, playground and sports facility inspection.
Why we buy this segment
Your clients trust inspectors with a name and recognition. That is why we only buy if the team stays and the next generation already works in the business.
We first look at who will sign in five years. If that is only the owner, we tell you before any price discussion.
For M&A advisors, tax advisors and succession advisors
Response on your client usually within 72 hours
Acquisition profile, teaser metrics and our commitments for all 24 segments are on a separate page. We only approach your client through you.
First step
Talk to a buyer who knows your segment
A 30-minute call is enough to know whether we fit. Afterwards you get a written assessment with reasons.
Request a confidential first call
Or call us: +49 40 89741812
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