JackQuisitions - Small Business Acquisitions in Home Service

In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack sits down with Patrick Lange of Business Modification Group to unpack what really drives (and drags down) HVAC and plumbing valuations. Patrick has sold 149+ trades companies and shares straight-talk on multiples, owner bottlenecks, service vs. construction mix, and how buyer profiles—and the June SBA SOP changes—are reshaping deals. If you’re eyeing an exit (or your next acquisition), this one’s a masterclass in reality over rumor.Patrick explains why many $1M-revenue shops get stuck (perfectionist owners doing everything), why “20× multiple” stories are almost always misleading, and what separates a $5–8M exit from a $2–3M fire sale. We dig into geographic effects (why the Southeast—and Tennessee—often trades hotter), price discipline, clean books, and building repeatable systems that survive the owner stepping back.📩 Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.🖊️ Sign up HERE💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLCHire trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost.🔥 $1,000 off your first placement HERE💼 Extra Special Thanks to Service Scalers!We’ve been partnering with Service Scalers to maximize our Local Service Ads (LSAs) and optimize our Google My Business profiles, and the results have been incredible. With hundreds of thousands in sales and 900+ calls in a single week, GMBs are now our top-performing organic lead channel.Want to learn how Service Scalers can do the same for you?🔗Check Them Out Here🎙 Host: Jack Carr 🎙 Guest: Patrick Lange  Send us a textJackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

In this part two, Jack sits back down with Chris Cisneros of Diamond Plumbing—this time diving deep into acquisitions, market entry strategy, and leading seasoned techs as a 23-year-old service manager. Live from the Miami Meetup, they unpack how to decide between greenfield vs. acquisition, what it really takes to keep teams post-close, and how to think about radius, logistics, and install crews when you’re expanding into Palm Beach County from Miami–Broward.They talk real risks (like “everyone quit in week one”), LOI-to-close learning, buying profit on day one vs. recruiting from scratch, and the sales-first approach Chris uses to win buy-in from techs in their 30s and 40s.💡 What You’ll LearnGreenfield vs. Acquisition: When buying a book of business beats starting from zero—and when it doesn’tTeam Retention Post-Close: Why size and maturity of the target matters for culture conversionMarket Mapping: Using a 2-hour radius, jump points, and install-crew logistics to enter adjacent countiesRecruiting Alternatives: When a dedicated recruiter outperforms an acquisition—for headcount onlyChange Management: A sales-led playbook for earning respect as a younger leaderFrom LOI to Day 1: What to learn before you write the check (and how to avoid six years of trial-and-error)💼 Shoutout to Appletree Business Services HVAC and plumbing pros—ditch tax surprises and unresponsive accountants. Appletree handles your books, taxes, payroll, and acquisitions, and they know tools like ServiceTitan cold.🎁 Get a free tax & financial review or 10% off a QOE report. 👉 Book a call HERE tell Patrick Jack sent you.💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC Hire trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost. 🔥 $1,000 off your first placement 💼 Extra Special Thanks to Service Scalers!We’ve been partnering with Service Scalers to maximize our Local Service Ads (LSAs) and optimize our Google My Business profiles, and the results have been incredible. With hundreds of thousands in sales and 900+ calls in a single week, GMBs are now our top-performing organic lead channel. Want to learn how Service Scalers can do the same for you? 🔗Check Them Out Here  🎙 Host & GuestHost: Jack Carr — https://x.com/thehvacjack Guest: Chris Cisneros — Diamond Plumbing (IG & LinkedIn: Chris A. Cisneros)Send us a textJackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack sits down with Chris Cisneros of Diamond Plumbing live at the Miami Meetup. Chris shares his incredible journey from selling marketing services door-to-door at just 13 years old to building a fast-growing plumbing business alongside his father. What started with one truck and a thrift store breakroom office has now expanded into a multi-truck operation with a warehouse, a growing team, and lessons learned the hard way.Chris opens up about the struggles of running a business without mentorship, the costly mistakes of ignoring office systems, and how mentorship, sales training, and overseas staffing transformed their business. From convincing his father to embrace modern sales practices to scaling with virtual CSRs, this conversation is packed with practical insights for operators navigating the messy middle of growth.💡 What You’ll Learn:Why mentorship can shorten years of painful trial-and-errorHow PPC and digital marketing fueled growth—even as a teenagerLessons from transitioning a one-man shop into a scalable businessThe importance of shifting focus from fieldwork to office systemsHow overseas CSRs and AI can create near 24/7 coverageWhy emotional selling and sales training are game-changers in home services💼 Business Modification Group — The go-to business brokers for trades companies. Whether you’re buying or selling HVAC, plumbing, or electrical businesses, we help you navigate valuations, find deals, and close successfully. Get a free valuation as a buyer or seller and join our exclusive distribution list for the best opportunities in the trades market. 👉 Get Your Free Valuation Here For Sellers: For Buyers:💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank! Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators. 👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification. Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here to get started 🎙 Host: Jack Carr 🎙 Guest: Chris CisnerosSend us a textJackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack sits down in Akron, Ohio with Matt, who just closed on his very first acquisition: a 75-year-old HVAC and refrigeration company outside Pittsburgh. Fresh off the Breaking $5 Million workshop, Matt walks through the whirlwind of his first six weeks as an owner—what it’s like to take on a $2M deal, why he valued stability over chasing top-line growth, and how he’s transitioning from a career in big tech and Amazon Web Services to running a boots-on-the-ground service business.From sourcing the deal through a broker, to navigating retrades when revenue dipped, to managing seller relationships and earnouts, Matt shares the hard realities behind closing his first SBA-backed acquisition. He explains how he de-risked the deal with real estate, why he insists on fixed legal pricing next time, and why building something steady for his family and community matters more than chasing 500% growth curves.💡 What You’ll Learn:How to source and negotiate your first small business acquisitionWhy stability and history can outweigh chasing the biggest revenue numberCreative ways to de-risk a deal through real estate and seller notesLessons in managing brokers, lawyers, and SBA lendersWhy leaving a W2 for business ownership is a bet on yourselfHow to build a company that supports your family, team, and community💼 Business Modification Group —The go-to business brokers for trades companies. Whether you’re buying or selling HVAC, plumbing, or electrical businesses, we help you navigate valuations, find deals, and close successfully. Get a free valuation as a buyer or seller and join our exclusive distribution list for the best opportunities in the trades market.👉 Get Your Free Valuation HereFor SellersFor Buyers📩 Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.🖊️ Sign up HERE💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank!Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators.👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification.Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here🎙 Host: Jack Carr 🎙 Guest: Matt Wynne  — Winning Services, Pittsburgh PASend us a textJackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

Chris Barr, a seasoned home service entrepreneur, returns to share a hard-earned lesson from a recent acquisition deal that fell through. He reveals the emotional weight of walking away when red flags arose during due diligence, emphasizing the importance of accurate financials and risk assessment. Chris discusses strategies to mitigate acquisition risks and the complexities of negotiating working capital. Listeners gain insights on knowing when to say no and the vital role of thorough evaluations in achieving long-term success in business acquisitions.

In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack sits down with Jeff Bates, a Michigan-based operator who went from running trucks in the heat to owning and growing multiple HVAC companies. After years at Lennox and a crash course in small business while working for his father-in-law’s trucking company, Jeff and his partner decided to jump into ownership themselves.Their first deal came in 2022 with RNL Heating & Cooling, a legacy business with real estate included. But the story didn’t stop there—just a year later, they acquired Hurside Heating & Cooling through a broker connection. Along the way, Jeff shares the reality of SBA financing, why branding and location matter more than you think, and how “Day One calls” convinced him to buy vs. build.From navigating tuck-ins to learning the power of the supply house counter as the ultimate networking hub, Jeff walks through what it really takes to expand through acquisition while keeping culture strong.💡 What You’ll Learn:Why Jeff chose buying over building—and the immediate payoff of legacy customersHow to use supply houses and parts counters as a secret due diligence toolThe tradeoffs of including real estate in an SBA-financed acquisitionBranding pitfalls: when a company name works against youThe importance of a no-asshole policy in preserving cultureWhy tuck-ins remain the best strategy for consistent HVAC growth💼 Business Modification Group — The go-to business brokers for trades companies. Whether you’re buying or selling HVAC, plumbing, or electrical businesses, we help you navigate valuations, find deals, and close successfully. Get a free valuation as a buyer or seller and join our exclusive distribution list for the best opportunities in the trades market.👉 Get Your Free Valuation Here For SellersFor BuyersJackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank! Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators.👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification.Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here to get started 🎙 Host: Jack Carr 🎙 Guest: Jeff Bates Send us a textJackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

Matthew Railla, a former wine industry operator, now runs Top Termite, a termite inspection company. He shares how he creatively acquired the business using SBA financing after realizing buyers were hesitant due to its unique model. Matt emphasizes the importance of trust, relationships, and having a solid team for first-time buyers. He discusses the shift from doing everything solo to leveraging experts and outlines strategies for expanding service areas while navigating the complexities of business acquisitions.

In this revealing episode of JackQuisitions, Jack sits down with his good friend Scott Horman, who attempted to build an HVAC business from the ground up. Just ten months later, the doors closed for good. Scott opens up about the hard truths—misaligned partners, poor service quality, and unpredictable lead flow—that ultimately sank the venture. If you’ve ever wondered whether to start a trades business from scratch or buy an existing one, this is a must-watch.💡 What You’ll Learn:Why choosing the wrong partners can doom your business from day oneThe hidden risks of relying on inconsistent lead generationHow poor service quality impacts growth and reputationKey differences between building a business from scratch vs. buying oneThe value of patience, industry networking, and knowing your strengthsWhat Scott would do differently if he started again today🖊️  Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.Sign up HERE for more insights 💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC Hire trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost. 🔥 $1,000 off your first placement🎙️ Host: Jack Carr   🎙️ Guest: Scott HormanSend us a textJackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

In this engaging conversation, Jameson Wildwood, the owner of Sweetwater Plumbing, shares his adventurous experience of purchasing a plumbing company for $1.9 million. He reveals the shocking truth about hidden costs and cultural clashes that can disrupt harmony in acquisitions. With impressive growth from $18,000 to a target of $100,000 in service revenue, Jameson discusses the importance of effective hiring strategies, CRM systems, and smart marketing, all while navigating the complexities of transitioning from tech to plumbing.

Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank, an expert in SBA lending for the skilled trades, reveals the secrets of navigating SBA loans for business acquisitions. He explains the differences between the 7(a), 504, and Express programs, emphasizing the importance of gut instincts and relationships in deal-making. Alan highlights the value of prequalification and how personal guarantees affect loans. He also discusses recent SBA changes, stressing thorough due diligence and the hidden values in unique business models. This discussion is a must-listen for aspiring business acquirers!