SDE multiples · valuation range

Plumbing Valuation Calculator

Estimate what your plumbing company is worth using SDE multiples and revenue benchmarks.

Plumbing business valuation drives buy-sell decisions, SBA loan applications, and partnership buyouts. This calculator applies industry-standard SDE multiples to estimate your company's market value.

  • Estimated Value = SDE × Industry Multiple (typically 2.2x–3.5x)
  • SDE = Net Profit + Owner Salary + Add-backs (interest, depreciation, one-time expenses)
  • Median plumbing company sells at ~2.8x SDE

Built for plumbing owners planning an exit, buyers evaluating acquisitions, and brokers pricing listings.

Source: BizMetricsHQ 380+ plumbing businesses (2025–2026). Methodology

Business Financials

Estimated Value

$896,000

Range: $704,000$1,120,000

At 2.8x SDE on $320,000 SDE

SDE-Based Value

$896,000

Revenue-Based Value

$1,120,000

Industry Multiples

  • Revenue Multiple

    0.5x – 0.9x

    Median 0.7x

  • SDE Multiple

    2.2x – 3.5x

    Median 2.8x

  • EBITDA Multiple

    3.5x – 5.5x

    Median 4.5x

Frequently Asked Questions

How are plumbing businesses valued?

Most owner-operated plumbing companies are valued using SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings) multiples, typically 2.2x–3.5x. A company with $320K SDE at 2.8x would be worth ~$896K. Revenue multiples (0.5x–0.9x) are used as a cross-check.

What is a good SDE multiple for a plumbing company?

The median SDE multiple for owner-operated plumbing businesses is 2.8x. Companies with commercial maintenance contracts, transferable management, and clean books command 3.2x–3.5x. Owner-dependent shops with thin margins may sell at 2.2x or below.

What is SDE for a plumbing business?

SDE equals net profit plus owner salary and discretionary add-backs (interest, depreciation, one-time expenses). For an owner-operator earning $125K salary with $176K net profit, SDE is approximately $301K before other add-backs.

How much is a plumbing company with $1.6M revenue worth?

A plumbing company with $1.6M revenue and $320K SDE typically sells for $704K–$1.12M (2.2x–3.5x SDE), with a median around $896K at 2.8x. Actual value depends on maintenance contract mix, plumber retention, and market territory.