Business buyer's agent services

Benchmark’s buyer’s agency finds, assesses and negotiates the right business for you, at the right price and on the right terms. From a first purchase to a bolt-on or a multi-site roll-up, our specialist brokers search the market, including businesses that are never advertised, and act for you through to settlement.

Talk to a buyer's agent

Tell us what you want to buy and we will explain how our buyer’s agency works for your search. Confidential, with no obligation.

Why Benchmark

Why choose Benchmark as your business buyer's agent?

Benchmark brings 8 offices across Australia, 27+ years in business, 50+ specialist brokers, 5,000+ successful transactions and $3B+ in sale transaction value to every acquisition. That deal experience usually sits on the seller’s side of the table. With our buyer’s agency, it works for you.

Access to off-market businesses

Many owners prefer to sell quietly. Our brokers speak with business owners every day, so we can introduce you to businesses before they are advertised and approach suitable owners confidentially on your behalf.

Price guidance grounded in valuation

We value and sell businesses every week. We test the asking price against adjusted profit, industry multiples and comparable sales, so you know what a business is worth before you make an offer.

Due diligence that finds the risks

We work through the financials, lease, staff, suppliers and compliance with you and your advisers, and flag issues early so there are no surprises after settlement.

Experienced negotiators on your side

Having negotiated thousands of business sales, we know where there is room to move on price, stock, training periods and terms. We keep emotion out of the deal and tell you when it is time to walk away.

Specialist industry knowledge

Our specialist divisions cover sectors such as hospitality, medical and dental, service stations and hair and beauty, so you work with a broker who understands how businesses in your target industry trade.

National reach, local brokers

Brokers in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Darwin know local rents, trading conditions and buyer demand, and can search across states when your strategy calls for it.

How it works

How our buyer's agency process works

Every engagement starts with a confidential conversation about what you want to buy and why. From there, your buyer’s agent manages the search, assessment and negotiation, and works with your accountant, solicitor and lender through to settlement.

1. Your acquisition brief

We agree what you want to buy: the industries, locations, size of business and the role you plan to take, plus a realistic budget that allows for stock, stamp duty, fees and working capital.

2. Search, including off-market

We search our listings and national network, and confidentially approach suitable owners whose businesses are not advertised, to build a shortlist that matches your brief.

3. Assess and inspect

Each opportunity is screened against your criteria. We arrange confidential inspections and owner meetings, and assess the premises, lease and local trading conditions.

4. Value and negotiate

We test the price against adjusted profit and comparable sales, then negotiate price, stock, training, handover and conditions for you, and tell you plainly when it is time to walk away.

5. Due diligence

We work through the financials, tax returns, lease, staff, suppliers, licences and equipment with your accountant and solicitor, and flag risks early so there are no surprises.

6. Contracts to settlement

We liaise with your solicitor, lender and the vendor’s representatives on contracts, finance and the lease assignment, and help organise a smooth handover.

On your own vs with us

What a buyer's agent changes about your purchase

Buying on your own can work when you already know the industry and have found the right business. For everyone else, this is what changes when a buyer’s agent acts for you.

Compare	Buying on your own	With a Benchmark buyer’s agent
Finding businesses	Whatever is advertised on the portals	Listed businesses plus off-market owners approached confidentially on your behalf
Who represents you	The seller's broker, who acts for the seller	Your buyer's agent, who acts only for you
Price	The asking price and your own research	Tested against adjusted profit, industry multiples and comparable sales
Negotiation	Directly with the vendor or their broker	An experienced negotiator handles price, stock, training and terms
Due diligence	You coordinate advisers and chase documents	Coordinated with your accountant and solicitor, with the vendor followed up for you
Best for	Buyers who know the industry and have already found the business	Buyers who want more choice, sharper pricing and less risk

Before you start your search

Know the full cost of buying a business

Estimate the total cost of an acquisition, including the price, stock, stamp duty, professional fees and working capital, so you can set a realistic budget before you engage an agent or speak to a lender.

An estimate only. Confirm stamp duty, tax and fees with your accountant and solicitor.

Business resources

Valuing a small business on its adjusted net profit, step by step.

Read guide

Business buyer's agent FAQs

What does a business buyer's agent do?

A business buyer’s agent represents the buyer, not the seller. We search for suitable businesses, including ones that are not advertised, assess them against your brief, advise on value, negotiate the price and terms, and coordinate due diligence and settlement with your accountant, solicitor and lender.

How is a buyer's agent different from a business broker?

A business broker is usually engaged by the seller to market the business and achieve the best result for the vendor. A buyer’s agent is engaged by you and acts for you. Benchmark’s brokers sell businesses every day, so as your buyer’s agent we bring the same market knowledge to your side of the deal.

How much does a business buyer's agent cost?

Fees depend on the size and complexity of the acquisition and how much of the process you want us to manage. We agree the scope and fee structure with you in writing before the search begins, so you know the cost upfront. Contact us for a confidential, no-obligation discussion.

Can you find businesses that are not advertised for sale?

Yes. Some owners prefer to sell quietly, and others will consider an offer if the right buyer approaches them. Through our national network and specialist divisions we can introduce you to off-market opportunities and approach suitable owners confidentially on your behalf.

Can you help me buy several businesses as part of a roll-up?

Yes. Benchmark has acted on roll-up mandates in sectors including road transport, security, childcare and licensed post offices. We can search across states, assess targets on a consistent basis and manage several negotiations at once so your acquisition strategy keeps moving.

What should I check before buying a business?

Check the financial statements and tax returns, the lease and its remaining term, staff entitlements, key customer and supplier relationships, licences and permits, and the condition of equipment and stock. Confirm whether you are buying the business assets or the company’s shares, and whether stamp duty applies in your state.

How long does it take to buy a business with a buyer's agent?

It depends on your brief and the market. Finding and securing the right business can take a few weeks or several months. Once an offer is accepted, due diligence, finance approval, lease assignment and settlement add further time, and we manage each step so delays are kept to a minimum.

Get started

Ready to start your search?

Tell us what you want to buy and a buyer’s agent will be in touch, confidentially and with no obligation. We act ethically and will tell you plainly if a business is not right for you.

1300 366 521

Speak to a specialist broker directly

Completely confidential

Your details are never shared without your consent

Australia-wide

8 offices across Australia, searching in every state