Business Valuation

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What is Business Valuation?

Business valuation is the process of determining the financial value of a business. It’s a crucial exercise for both buyers and sellers, as it helps establish a fair price and provides insights into the true worth of the business.

At Mayfield, we believe in taking a detailed, comprehensive approach to valuation, ensuring we uncover not only the visible assets but also the hidden potential that can drive value. Our process goes beyond a simple calculation; it’s about creating a story around the business that resonates with potential buyers.

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Why is Accuracy Key?

An accurate valuation is key to a successful sale. While everyone wants the highest possible price for their business, the most important thing is ensuring the valuation is accurate. This foundation allows us to identify areas of potential improvement and to strategically work on increasing value.

Inaccurate valuations can lead to distrust from the buyer, price reductions, or even the buyer walking away. With our experience in both buying and selling businesses, we know what buyers look for, and we ensure the valuation is ready for the scrutiny of due diligence, reducing the risk of renegotiations or price chipping after the sale agreement.

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How would you benefit?

At Mayfield, we take a detailed, in-depth approach to valuation. We don’t just look at surface-level numbers; we dig into the business’s operations, financial health, and market position to uncover hidden opportunities. Through our experience working with buyers, we know exactly what they need to see. Our valuation process includes:

Scenario planning to assess how different factors (like staffing changes or buyer-specific plans) can impact the business’s value.
Real-time walkthroughs of our findings, showing you firsthand how changes could affect the valuation.
A range of valuation numbers, giving you a clear picture of the potential value and the steps to increase it.

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How We Work With You

Free Consultation- We start with a free consultation to understand your goals and the business you’re looking to value.
In-depth Valuation- We dive deep into your business’s financials, operations, and market position. Through scenario planning and real-time walkthroughs, we identify hidden opportunities and potential risks that could affect the final valuation.
Stategic Guidance and Value Optimisation- With a clear valuation in hand, we guide you on the next steps to increase value. Whether it’s addressing operational issues or preparing for due diligence, we provide ongoing support to help you maximise the final sale price.

service comparison

How do we compare?

Cost Effectiveness

Dedicated CFO

Financial Analysis

Financial Reporting

Growth Strategies

Industry Expertise

Profitability Analysis

Technology Integration

Time to Sale

Mayfield

Detailed, precise analysis with scenario planning

Tailored to buyer needs based on extensive experience

Tailored to specific business, operational, and financial details

Designed for smooth due diligence and minimal renegotiation

Uncovers hidden opportunities and risks through in-depth review

Real-time walkthroughs to assess impact of potential changes

Full support, actionable steps to increase value pre-sale

Efficient processes to minimise time to sale.

General Financial Advisors

Standardised approach, based on industry norms

General buyer perspective

One-size-fits-all approach, lacks deep customisation

May miss due diligence red flags, increasing risks

Limited insight into hidden potential or risks

Basic projections, lacks deep scenario testing

Limited ongoing support, focus on valuation alone

Variable timelines, dependent on broker efficiency.

DIY Approach

General estimates, lacking detailed analysis

No buyer insight, may overlook buyer priorities

No professional customisation, generic approach

High risk of overlooked issues during due diligence

Likely misses key areas of opportunity

No structured analysis, assumptions may be inaccurate

No professional support or guidance

Often longer time to sale due to limited resources.

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What our clients say

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Selling practices with integrity

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Matt is an invaluable contact for Today's Dental. He’s extremely well connected and knowledgeable about the dental sector, as well as being an incredibly authentic individual. He’s a pleasure to work with as a professional partner. Highly recommended for honest, realistic practice valuations, financial due diligence and for selling and buying practices with integrity

Rob Paxman

CEO of Today’s Dental

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Tailor the very best deal

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Matt has a refreshing approach and brings new ideas to the bigger picture. He has a clarity of thought when explaining the available options and always responds swiftly to any queries. Whilst ensuring a robust financial process, Matt is able to educate and guide his clients to ensure an honest, open and fair process when selling. At his core, Matt wants to tailor the very best deal to meet the requirements of each of his clients.

Professor Andrew Eder

Harley Street Dental and Implant Clinic

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Highest value for my business

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The team at Mayfield are fantastic, particularly the combined knowledge of Matt and Alex was instrumental in obtaining the highest value for my business. Matt and Alex took the time to understand our business vision and provide advice based on the holistic view of the dental sector. The objective and unbiased view helped us obtain our maximum potential. I would recommend Mayfield to anyone of my friends or colleagues, they really are in a league of their own.

Kunal Thakker

Tooth Club

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Knowledge is unsurpassed

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I’ve known and worked with the guys for a long time, their knowledge of corporate dental finance is unsurpassed. I’ve always appreciated their professional and diligent approach, a top notch service

Gary Chapman

Portman Health Care

Have any questions?

How much does it cost?

We offer two types of valuation:

Basic Valuation: This is a surface-level valuation and is free.
Premium Valuation: This is a more in-depth valuation, costing £500. This premium service provides a detailed assessment of your business and is absorbed into the sale fee if you decide to move forward with us.

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What is the difference between your basic valuation and premium valuation?

Our premium valuation goes beyond the surface. We look at your business through a near due diligence lens, uncovering any potential risks or hidden opportunities that could affect its value. We also highlight areas where value can be maximised. At the end, we walk you through the findings in real-time, showing you exactly what we’ve uncovered and how changes, like staffing changes or different buyer preferences, could impact the business.

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How long does it take?

The time required for a valuation depends on the readiness of the data provided. If the data is ready, here’s what you can expect:

Basic Valuation: Can take from 24 hours to 1 week.
Premium Valuation: If the data is prepared, it can take 1-2 weeks.

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What do you look at in a business valuation?

When we conduct a business valuation, we look at many factors, including stress-testing revenue drivers, identifying synergies, and analysing the cost of sales. We also evaluate financial performance, market conditions, growth potential, and any risks or hidden opportunities that may affect the business’s true value.

What impact does a valuation have?

A valuation is not just about knowing the value of your business. It impacts how the sale progresses, helps guide negotiations, and ensures you’re prepared for every stage of the process. An accurate valuation sets expectations for both you and the buyer, while also providing insight into areas you can focus on to enhance value before a sale.

What if my valuation figure is less than I expected?

If you’re disappointed with the valuation, we work with you to understand what led to that figure. We’ll look at areas for improvement and identify opportunities to increase the business’s value over time. It’s important to keep in mind that a valuation reflects the business's current state and provides a starting point for strategic decisions moving forward.

Am I obliged to sell if I have a valuation done?

Getting a valuation doesn’t mean you have to sell, it's simply a tool that helps you understand your business’s value and explore your options. You’re free to decide whether or not to move forward with a sale based on the insights you gain.

When should I get a business valuation?

It’s always good to know the value of your business, whether you’re looking to sell now, in five years, or if you're simply looking to expand and grow your business. A valuation helps you understand where your business stands and gives you the insights needed to plan for the future, whether you’re selling, acquiring, or optimising.

Why is it important to get an accurate valuation?

An accurate valuation is crucial to a successful sale. An inaccurate valuation is the reason many deals fall apart during due diligence. It can also give the buyer the upper hand to negotiate the price down. A correct valuation sets the right expectations and helps you avoid disappointment. When selling or expanding, it provides a starting point and highlights areas you can maximise. If you have an inflated figure in mind, and later discover the valuation is lower, it’s hard to adjust and move forward with confidence.

How do you value a dental practice?

When valuing a dental practice, we typically use, a profitability measure called EBITDA. This number is derived by analysing 3 key areas;
Revenue: We consider run-rate private, NHS, and membership plan income, reflecting any significant increases (e.g. from the addition of a new surgery).
Variable costs: These encompass expenses related to revenue delivery, such as materials, labs, implant costs and clinician fees. We construct clinician fees from scratch, ensuring the seller is remunerated as an associate and all recharge methodologies are applied.
Fixed costs: We factor in liabilities inherited by the buyer, including rent and staff costs. Personal and non-recurring costs are removed for accuracy.

Can I use the valuation my accountant provided?

While an accountant’s valuation can be useful, it often lacks the depth needed for a potential sale or acquisition. Our valuations go further, providing a comprehensive understanding of your business by uncovering hidden opportunities and risks that could affect the deal. With our experience working closely with buyers, we take their perspective into account throughout the process, ensuring you’re prepared for what they will value and scrutinise.

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