Dealdoor FAQ

Buying a business

Searching, enquiring and closing a deal on Dealdoor.

Does it cost anything to browse or enquire?

Browsing listings, saving searches and shortlisting businesses is free. Some premium listings or broker-mandated deals may require verification before full financials are released, but there is no fee to register as a buyer.

What happens when I send an enquiry?

Your message goes to the seller or their broker through Dealdoor. They typically respond within one to three working days. Your contact details are only shared once both sides agree to progress. You can track replies in your account inbox.

How do I know the financials are accurate?

Listings show structured disclosure fields and a quality score based on completeness. Verified badges indicate documents have been checked at listing level. You should still run independent due diligence with an accountant and solicitor before exchanging contracts.

Why do some listings require an NDA?

Sellers of sensitive or owner-operated businesses often want confidentiality before sharing full accounts or customer detail. Signing the NDA unlocks the data room. It is a standard step in UK SME sales and does not commit you to buy.

Can Dealdoor help me finance a purchase?

We do not lend or arrange finance. Our acquisition finance guide explains typical deal structures so you know what to ask a broker, lender or accountant. Most sub-£2m UK deals combine buyer equity, vendor finance and bank lending. Plan your funding before you make a formal offer.

Selling a business

Listing, confidentiality and completing your sale.

How much does it cost to list on Dealdoor?

Self-serve listings start with a free valuation and tiered plans when you go live. There is no upfront success fee on standard packages: you pay for visibility and tools, not a percentage of the sale price. Broker-led mandates are priced separately.

Can I list anonymously?

Yes. Listings can show sector, region and headline financials without naming the business until a buyer signs an NDA. You control when your company name and full address appear.

How long does a sale usually take?

Most UK SME sales take four to nine months from listing to completion, depending on sector, buyer finance and due diligence complexity. Well-prepared sellers with clean accounts often move faster.

Should I use a broker or list myself?

Brokers add reach, negotiation experience and buyer screening. Self-listing suits owners who already have inbound interest or want lower cost. You can start on Dealdoor and match with a broker later if you need help.

How is the free valuation calculated?

The tool applies live UK sector EBITDA multiples to your net profit and returns a conservative, mid and optimistic range. It is a market indicator, not a formal RICS or accountancy valuation, but it sets a realistic asking price before you go live.

Listings & search

Finding businesses and understanding listing data.

Which filters should I use first?

Start with sector and region, then price and profit band. Turnover alone can mislead: a high-turnover, low-margin business is a different risk profile to a smaller, profitable one. Save your search to get alerts when new matches list.

What is the listing quality score?

It reflects how complete and consistent the disclosure is: financial fields filled, photos uploaded, description depth and agent verification. Higher scores help buyers compare like for like and rank better in search results.

What does under offer mean?

The seller has accepted an offer in principle and the deal is in due diligence or legal work. You can still enquire in case the sale falls through, but expect slower responses until the listing is updated or withdrawn.

Can I compare multiple businesses?

Yes. Use the compare tool from search or listing pages to put financials side by side. Comparisons are saved in your session and work best for businesses in the same sector and size band.

Account & privacy

Your data, ventures and notifications.

What are Ventures?

Ventures are shortlists you can name, share with partners and annotate with notes. Useful when you are evaluating several acquisitions with a co-buyer or adviser. Each venture tracks saved listings and enquiry history in one place.

Can I be both a buyer and a seller?

Yes. One account supports multiple roles. Switch between buyer and seller mode from the account menu. Broker access requires a separate application and approval.

Who can see my activity?

Sellers see your enquiry messages and profile name when you contact them. Other buyers cannot see your saved listings or searches. We do not sell your personal data to third-party marketers.

How do I delete my account?

Go to Account settings and request deletion, or contact support. Active listings and open enquiries must be closed or transferred first. Some transaction records are retained for legal and fraud-prevention purposes as required by UK law.

Brokers

Working with brokers on Dealdoor.

How does broker matching work?

Tell us your sector, region and deal size. We introduce vetted brokers who work that segment. Most broker fees are paid by the seller on success, not the buyer, but always confirm terms in writing before you engage.

How do I join as a broker?

Apply from the For Brokers page with your FCA or industry credentials and sectors covered. Applications are reviewed within a few working days. Approved brokers get a dashboard, free listing uploads and access to bid on inbound leads.

What does it cost brokers to use Dealdoor?

Listing uploads are free for approved brokers. When you want inbound seller enquiries, bid on leads in the marketplace using credits (12 credits per lead). Credit packs start from £150. There is no commission on completed sales.

Can a broker list on my behalf?

Yes. Brokers can create and manage listings linked to your seller account with your permission. You remain the legal owner of the business until completion.

Platform & support

General questions about Dealdoor.

Which businesses does Dealdoor cover?

We focus on UK SMEs, typically from £50k to £5m asking price, across hospitality, retail, e-commerce, professional services, healthcare and more. Very large corporate transactions may be referred to specialist advisers.

Where should I start if I am new to buying or selling?

Read our step-by-step guides for buyers and sellers, then browse sector-specific playbooks if you know your industry. The FAQ here covers platform questions; the guides cover deal process in depth.

How do I contact support?

Use our contact page or email support@dealdoor.com. For listing or account issues, include your registered email and listing reference so we can help faster. We aim to respond within one working day.