Bozeman, Montana  ·  Confidential Business Inquiry

A local operator looking to acquire and personally run one established plumbing, HVAC, or electrical business in Bozeman.

Montana State. Ranching background. Built and runs a trades business on the Central Coast of California. Looking for a retiring owner with a great business and no succession plan — not a first-time buyer trying to figure it out.

Start a Confidential Conversation See Acquisition Criteria
MSU B.S. Agricultural Business
6+ Years Founded, Owned & Operated — Solo
0 → 10 Built from Zero to Multiple Crews
Bozeman Coming Home — Not a Relocation
Self-Funded No PE. No Angels. My Capital.
Sam Wood
About Sam

Lived here.
Built something there.
Coming back.

I grew up in California in a ranching family but Montana became home — I went to Montana State, got a degree in agricultural business, and stayed. After college I made the fateful decision to move to the Central Coast of California and built a trades business from the ground up. It's now a ten-person operation with solid systems and recurring work. I am looking for a business in Bozeman to rectify that decision and move back to what feels like home.

"I know what it takes to find good people in a small market, price work correctly, and keep customers for years. That's not something you learn from a spreadsheet."

If you've built something worth owning in plumbing, HVAC, or electrical — and you're thinking about what comes next, I'd like to have a private conversation.

Why Acquisition

Why buy instead of start from scratch?

I've done the startup thing. I know what it costs in time, money, and stress to build a customer base and crew from zero. Buying an established business means inheriting relationships, reputation, and systems that took someone years — sometimes decades — to build.

More importantly, it means a faster transition back to Bozeman without the risk of a cold start in a new market. For the right seller, it also means a real exit — not just closing the doors.

01
Established Customer Base Years of trust and repeat business don't transfer with a startup. They come with an acquisition.
02
Existing Crew & Systems Good technicians are the hardest thing to find. I want to inherit a team, not compete for one.
03
Brand Equity in the Market A known name in Bozeman is worth real money. I plan to invest in it, not replace it.
04
A Real Exit for the Seller Working with a hands-on operator means a real transition — not a private equity roll-up.
Acquisition Criteria

What I'm looking for

I'm looking for a single, established service-based contractor in the Bozeman / Gallatin Valley area — primarily plumbing, HVAC, or electrical. The business should be at least ten years old, generating $650K+ in SDE or EBITDA, with a team of seven or more including office staff. I'm specifically interested in retiring owners who haven't figured out what comes next.

I move quickly, communicate clearly, and don't waste anyone's time. If it's not a fit, I'll tell you that upfront.

"I'm one buyer looking for one business. This isn't a fund with a mandate to deploy capital — it's a person looking for the right thing."

  • Earnings $650K+ SDE or EBITDA. The business should be demonstrably profitable on its own merits.
  • Geography Bozeman, Belgrade, Four Corners, Manhattan, and surrounding Gallatin Valley.
  • Industry Service-based plumbing, HVAC, or electrical contractors.
  • Tenure 10+ years in operation. Longevity means real customer relationships and a proven business model.
  • Team 7+ Techs and existing office staff.
  • Seller Retiring owner with no succession plan in place. If you've built something great and don't have a clear next step, that's exactly the conversation I want to have.
Why Work With Me

What a seller can expect

I've been on the other side of this. I know what it means to build something and hand it to someone else. Here's what I commit to in every conversation.

Full Confidentiality Nothing leaves our conversation. Happy to sign an NDA before you share anything.
No Games, No Tire Kickers I have financing lined up and a clear decision process. If I say I'm interested, I mean it. If it's not a fit, I'll say so.
Your Legacy Stays Intact Your company name, logo, brand, employees, and management stay. I'm not rebranding or restructuring — I'm carrying forward what you built.
A Fair Deal — Not a Steal I'm not here to low-ball a great company. I want to pay fairly for something worth owning and run it for years. A good exit for you is part of the deal.
Flexible on Structure Seller financing welcome. I also have my own capital to deploy and access to traditional financing
Fast, Clear Communication You'll always know where things stand. No ghosting, no vague timelines, no surprises.
Personally Present I will be in the business every day. Not a distant investor. Not a management company. Me, on site.
"I want a fair deal for a great company — not a great deal for a good one. The goal is to carry forward something worth carrying."
How It Works

A straightforward process from first conversation to close

1
Initial Conversation

A private, no-obligation call or meeting. You share what you're considering; I share my background and goals. No paperwork, no commitment. This is just two people getting to know each other.

2
NDA & Preliminary Review

If there's mutual interest, we sign a simple NDA and I take a first look at the high-level financials and operations. This usually takes one to two weeks at most.

3
Letter of Intent

If the preliminary look confirms fit, I'll put a written LOI on the table with price range, structure, and key terms. No wasted time — if I'm in, you'll know it on paper.

4
Due Diligence

A thorough but respectful process. I've been through this before. I know what I need to see and I'll be efficient about getting there. Typically four to eight weeks.

5
Close & Transition

We close and immediately begin a transition period together. I want to learn everything you know — your customers, your people, your systems. This is the most important part.

Common Questions

Things sellers often ask

Do I have to tell my employees or customers anything?
+
Absolutely not — at least not right away. Most transactions stay completely confidential until after close. We can work out a communication plan together that makes sense for your business and your people.
What if my financials aren't perfectly organized?
+
That's more common than you'd think. I've been through this and I know how to look at owner-operated financials. We can work through it together. Don't let imperfect books stop you from starting a conversation.
What does "owner-operator" actually mean for my team?
+
It means I show up. I learn the routes, I know the customers' names, I'm in the shop. Your crew won't be reporting to a distant investor or a management company — they'll be working directly with me. My goal is to keep good people and earn their trust over time.
How do you determine what my business is worth?
+
Primarily on a multiple of seller's discretionary earnings (SDE) or EBITDA. I'm looking for businesses at $650K+ in SDE or EBITDA, so valuation conversations are grounded in real numbers. I'm transparent about my methodology and happy to walk through it.
Are you open to staying on after the sale?
+
Yes — in fact, I prefer it. A 3–12 month transition where you're actively involved makes for a much smoother handoff. We can structure your continued involvement and compensation in a way that works for both of us.
What if I'm not sure I'm ready to sell yet?
+
That's fine. A lot of the best conversations I've had started with "I'm just thinking about it." There's no pressure or timeline on my end. Starting a conversation costs you nothing and might help you think through what you actually want.
Do you use a broker?
+
I'm happy to work with your broker if you have one. I'm also happy to work directly with you — direct deals are often faster, simpler, and lower cost for both sides. Either way works for me.
One Business. One Buyer.

If you've built something in Bozeman worth keeping, let's talk.

Private · Confidential · No Obligation

Start a Conversation sammwood185@gmail.com
Get in Touch

Sam Wood

Bozeman Business Acquisition — Personal & Confidential

sammwood185@gmail.com
(406) 451-2530

All inquiries are treated with complete discretion. Nothing you share will leave this conversation without your explicit permission. I respond to every message personally.

Thank you — I'll be in touch within one business day. Everything you've shared stays completely private.
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