Selling a Plumbing or Electrical Company Near Atlanta
If you own a plumbing or electrical company in Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Gwinnett, Forsyth or anywhere in North Fulton, you've probably had a few unsolicited calls or letters from people wanting to buy it. It can be hard to tell who's serious, who's local and who just wants a quick look at your numbers.
I'm Madison Clarke, and I live near Johns Creek. Trellis Equities is a small, family-backed search fund. We're looking for one business to buy and keep for the long run. This would be our first acquisition. Here's what I'd want to know if I were in your position, written as plainly as I can.
Local roots are worth more than you might think
Your reputation with builders, property managers, homeowners and inspectors in your part of metro Atlanta took years to earn. A buyer who lives nearby and plans to run the company day-to-day can keep those relationships alive in a way that's harder from far away. When someone reaches out, it's fair to ask:
- Where do you live, and will you be working in the business yourself?
- Are you buying this company to run it, or to fold it into another one?
- Have you bought a business before? (It's fine if the answer is no. I'll be honest that mine is.)
Know how your license fits into the company
Georgia licenses plumbers and electrical contractors through divisions of the State Construction Industry Licensing Board, and the licensing law for these trades was rewritten effective July 1, 2026. Under the current statute:
- Plumbing: a company set up as a partnership, LLC or corporation can only do plumbing if a person with a valid Master Plumber Class I or Class II license is regularly connected with it and actively working there full-time.
- Electrical: a company set up as a partnership, LLC or corporation needs a person with a valid license regularly connected with it and actively working there full-time.
- Both: if the person the company's qualification rests on leaves, the company has to notify the division within seven days.
Because licenses are issued to individuals rather than to the company, it's worth asking early how the license side will work in a sale. One of the first practical questions in any sale is who will be the licensed person after closing. If it's you and you want to retire, the plan might involve a licensed manager already on your team or another arrangement. Your attorney and the board are the right sources for the specifics. I'd only say it's worth raising early rather than late.
Gather the basics before anyone asks
A serious buyer, and any lender working with them, will usually want to see a few years of tax returns and financial statements, plus an understanding of how the business makes its money. For plumbing and electrical companies it also helps to have:
- A simple breakdown of service and repair work versus new construction
- Your largest customers or builders, and how long you've worked with them
- A list of vehicles, equipment and any property or leases
- Who on the team holds which licenses
Your CPA can help you decide what to share and when. You don't need everything polished to have a first conversation.
Local groups can be a good sounding board
If you'd like to hear how other owners have handled succession, Georgia's trade associations are a natural place to ask. PHCC of Georgia (based in Cumming) serves plumbing and mechanical contractors, and the Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association and IEC's Atlanta and Georgia chapters serve electrical contractors. Your CPA, banker or insurance agent has probably seen other local owners go through a sale and can tell you what they learned.
Protect your confidentiality
Keep early conversations quiet, ask for a confidentiality agreement before sharing details, and be cautious with anyone who wants your full financials before they've told you who they are and what they plan to do with the company.
Talk to your advisors before you sign anything
Deal structure, taxes and your obligations after the sale are questions for your CPA and attorney. A good buyer will expect you to involve them and won't rush you.
If you own a plumbing or electrical company north of Atlanta and you're starting to wonder what's next, I'd be glad to talk whenever it suits you. Here's more about me and what I'm looking for.