Two owners, two exit dates
25 years together, one wants to stop in 2027, the other in 2030. A buyer has to handle both.
Does this sound familiar?
Two situations we know
Framework contracts with housing companies
Hazardous substance registers for 20,000 apartments. Recurring, but your sampling team is small.
Your day-to-day, as we know it
This is what happens in your business before anyone talks about succession
Waiting for the lab
The samples are taken, the demolition is waiting. Every day of lab turnaround ends up as pressure on you.
Hidden substances
Asbestos hides in fillers and adhesives, PAH in parquet adhesive. Without opening components, the register stays incomplete.
Expertise under TRGS 519
Only those with the expertise may supervise the work. If a colleague is missing, an order is missing.
Short-notice requests
Framework clients call when the demolition is already planned. The survey should then start immediately.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue share of framework clients | How predictable your orders are over the year. | We look for fixed framework clients. |
| Employees with TRGS 519 expertise | How resilient your capacity to deploy is. | Good with at least three people. |
| Time from sampling to report | Where in the process you wait for the lab or the report. | We look for stability over the year. |
| Lab connection | Whether sampling and analysis work together smoothly. | We expect a fixed lab connection. |
| Share of follow-up orders per property | Whether you also provide renovation support and clearance measurements after the survey. | Good with regular follow-up orders. |
What actually changes after the acquisition
Step by step
We automate the desk work. Professional decisions and customer contact stay with your people.
TodayRecord sampling logs with room, component and photo
With GTPSample, location and photo are linked digitally. The surveyor decides on the sampling points.
TodayTransfer lab results into the hazardous substance register
With GTPResults are assigned to the samples automatically. The surveyor assesses limit values and the need for action.
TodayWrite reports under the GefStoffV and TRGS 519/524
With GTPThe draft text is built from the register and the results. The surveyor writes the assessment and recommendation.
TodayCalculate quotes for surveys
With GTPComparable properties provide a suggested calculation. The owner checks effort and price.
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.
Building age and material research
The system reads building files and plans and flags components suspected of containing asbestos before sampling.
Lab results into the register
Lab reports are read automatically and entered into the hazardous substance register per apartment or component.
Report and renovation proposal
Results and TRGS requirements produce the draft report with urgency and a renovation recommendation.
What limits the technology here
Sampling and assessment depend on TRGS 519 expertise, and wrong results trigger liability.
What this means for you
Your small sampling team handles more properties because research and reports are prepared in advance.
Sources Amended Hazardous Substances Ordinance, in force since December 5, 2024, with asbestos survey obligations under Section 5a (2025)
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.
- List of framework clients with revenue for the last three years
- TRGS 519 expertise certificates and training
- Agreement with the partner lab and the lab's accreditation
- Three anonymized hazardous substance reports with register
- Overview of measuring devices and sampling equipment
What we buy
Our acquisition profile for this segment
Criteria
- Framework clients from the housing sector, industry and the public sector
- TRGS 519 expertise held by at least three people
- EBITDA €0.5m to €5m
- Lab connection secured by contract
Value drivers
- Hazardous substance registers with repeat inspections
- Own sampling team
- Soil protection (BBodSchG) experts in-house
Value reducers
- High share of project reports
- Sampling depends on a few qualified people
- Only one partner lab under contract
How you can tell we know your business
Three facts you can quote
- 01Since 2024, Section 5a GefStoffV has required an asbestos survey before work on buildings constructed before 1993.
- 02TRGS 519 expertise is a prerequisite for asbestos work and surveys.
- 03Kiwa, SGS and Eurofins are consolidating the lab and testing market. Survey firms below them are fragmented.
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 you also buy geotechnical firms?
No. Geotechnics is pure project work. Building pollutants and contaminated sites with framework clients, yes.
What about the lab?
The lab can be external, but it must be secured by contract. An own lab is not a must.
What do you automate?
Report writing from findings and photos, register maintenance, deadline tracking.
How fast?
Response usually within 72 h, indicative offer in 2 to 4 weeks.
Testing and experts
More segments in this area
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Sell an electrical testing companyTesting services for portable equipment, fixed installations and machines.
Sell a certified inspection expert firmFire protection, ventilation, smoke extraction, safety power supply or fire extinguishing systems.
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
ConfidentialOnly the three partners see your enquiry. An NDA is possible in advance on request. We share nothing with third parties.