Question 1

Does it cost anything to browse or enquire?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

What happens when I send an enquiry?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

How do I know the financials are accurate?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

Why do some listings require an NDA?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

Can Dealdoor help me finance a purchase?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

How much does it cost to list on Dealdoor?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

Can I list anonymously?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

How long does a sale usually take?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

Should I use a broker or list myself?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

How is the free valuation calculated?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Which filters should I use first?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

What is the listing quality score?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

What does under offer mean?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

Can I compare multiple businesses?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

What are Ventures?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 16

Can I be both a buyer and a seller?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Who can see my activity?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 18

How do I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 19

How does broker matching work?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 20

How do I join as a broker?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 21

What does it cost brokers to use Dealdoor?

Accepted Answer

Listing uploads are free for approved brokers. When you want inbound buyer 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.

Question 22

Can a broker list on my behalf?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 23

Which businesses does Dealdoor cover?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 24

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 25

How do I contact support?

Accepted Answer

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.

Common questions.Straight answers.

Buying a business

Selling a business

Listings & search

Account & privacy

Brokers

Platform & support

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