Buy a Construction / Trades & Planning – 4,817 current listings

Buy a Construction Company & Take Over a Trades Business

Deal One aggregates new construction and trades businesses for sale from across Germany and the DACH region every day: construction companies (building and civil engineering), HVAC and plumbing firms, electrical contractors, roofing companies, painting businesses, carpentry firms, drywall contractors, tiling businesses, as well as insolvencies in the construction sector. All listings in one place, updated daily.Deal One’s AI continuously scans all relevant sources and automatically notifies you by email as soon as a matching trades business meets your search criteria – by trade, revenue, number of employees or region. In the trades sector, the shortage of skilled workers and demographic change are creating massive succession demand: one in three trades businesses finds no successor within the family.Construction and trades businesses on Deal One are sought after by master craftsmen looking to expand their operations, strategic buyers from the construction industry, roll-up investors in the trades sector, and MBI candidates with a trades background. The range spans from small two-person operations to mid-sized construction companies.

Frequently Asked Questions: Buying a Construction Company & Trades Business

What does a trades business cost in Germany?

Trades businesses are typically valued based on adjusted earnings (SDE – Seller’s Discretionary Earnings). Common multiples range from 2–4x SDE, depending on business size, customer base and dependence on the owner. Key value drivers include: current order backlog, qualified permanent staff, master craftsman certificates (trade licences), machinery, and regional reputation. Insolvent trades businesses are often available for the value of their vehicle fleet and tools alone.

What special considerations apply when taking over a trades business?

The key question is trade licensing: many trades require a master craftsman certificate under German trade law (HwO). Without your own master certificate, taking over a business is only possible if an employed master craftsman is appointed as technical manager. Customer relationships in the trades are also often closely tied to the person of the owner, so careful handover planning is essential to the success of the takeover.

Does Deal One also list insolvent construction or trades businesses?

Yes – the construction sector has one of the highest insolvency rates in Germany. Deal One captures new insolvency notices in construction and trades every day. Buying out of insolvency can allow you to acquire machinery, vehicle fleets, staff and order backlogs on favourable terms. The AI alert notifies you immediately when an insolvent trades business appears in your region.