You’ve Built a Strong Trades Business. Now Let’s Maximize Its Value — Whether you want to Sell or Scale.
We help trades business owners increase their company’s value and reduce day-to-day owner dependency.
Whether you’re preparing for a sale or aiming to scale, as a business broker we provide the strategy and support to reach your next milestone with confidence.
What is Brentwood Growth?
Brentwood Growth helps trades and home service business owners increase business value and reduce day-to-day owner dependenc so you can confidently scale or sell.
We combine business advisory services focused on systems, profitability, and leadership with sale readiness and brokerage expertise, helping owners move forward with clarity whether they are exploring growth strategies or planning a future business exit.
But Now, You’re Asking What’s Next? — More Growth? Less Chaos? A Successful Exit?
That’s where we come in.
We help trades and service business owners like you answer the big questions — and build a business that works for you, not because of you.
We Work With
Fencing
Painting
Fire & Safety
How it works
Clean up your financials
We organize reporting and normalize expenses so your numbers are clean, consistent, and buyer ready.
Increase your real net profit to 20%+
We identify margin leaks, improve pricing, and increase efficiency so revenue turns into predictable profit that supports long-term scaling initiatives and higher valuations.
Reduce owner dependency
We install systems, roles, and accountability so you’re not the bottleneck in daily operations.Build a Business Buyers want and that you enjoy running
We help you create a company that appeals to professional buyers and investors while giving you back control of your time.
You’ve Already Done the Hardest Part.
You took the leap. You built something from scratch. You wore every hat, solved every problem, and built a business that supports your family and team.
But Now, You’re Asking What’s Next? — More Growth? Less Chaos? A Successful Exit?
That’s where we come in.
We help trades and service business owners like you answer the big questions — and build a business that works for you, not because of you.
Why Work With Us
Network of over 3,000 private equity, institutional and strategic buyers
Over $750 Million Transactional value completed
%
Compensation is 100% success based
Time to Scale Or Time To Sell?
Most owners feel stuck somewhere in between.
They’re Tired — But not done.
Successful — But not systemized.
Valuable — But not Sellable.
If that’s you, you’re not alone. The good news?
Both paths can lead to more freedom and more profit — if you take the right step.
The System That Makes Your Business More Valuable — Whether You Sell Or Stay
We’ve helped hundreds of trades business owners increase profits, remove chaos, and prepare for a future sale — even if they weren’t ready to sell yet.
- Clean up your financials
- Increase your real net profit to 20%+
- Reduce owner dependency
- Build a Business Buyers want — and that you enjoy running
Choose Your Track — We’ll walk with you
Scale:
You’re not ready to sell — but you are ready to get your business out of your head and running like a machine.
We help you install systems, track KPIs, and improve profitability.
Sell:
You want to explore sell options, either now or in a few years.
Through a business valuation, we’ll help you understand what your business is worth today, improve its value, and guide you through the sale process when the time is right.
A Message From Our Founder
I am John Bartlett. Over the past 30 years, I have led business transformations as a President, COO, and now as an advisor to owners in the trades. In my corporate life, I helped grow a company from $10 Million to $100 Million in revenue, expanding operations internationally. But what drives me today as a business growth consultant is helping business owners like you scale what you have built — or exit on your terms. And if you are proud of the work your hands have built and want to protect that legacy without growing for growth’s sake — I get that too.
I have seen too many owners sell too early, stay too long, or never build something they could truly step away from. This is your legacy — and we take that seriously.
We’re a broker for selling business, so let us help you build a business that rewards you — financially and personally — for everything you have put in.
What Owners Like You Are Saying
“After 42 plus years of being in the HVAC business, I knew it was time to get out and enjoy my retirement while still at an age that would allow me to pursue the activities I enjoy. The team at Brentwood did a timely and accurate valuation of my company. They brought us to market where I immediately received numerous offers which my agent Peyton helped me vet. Once all the offers were in, Peyton and I reviewed the merits of each. His experience and knowledge went a long way here as he advised me to consider buyers with the required resources and experience in acquiring businesses such as mine. From start to finish, I felt I had excellent expertise in my corner with Brentwood.”
Gerald Andeskie (Seller), Former Owner of Total Energy Service
“After a great run with my business, I was ready to retire. Brentwood made the process understandable and doable. They identified buyers by marketing our business to their network and then helped us through the negotiation process. They are very knowledgeable, and they work to get the best deal done for you! I would recommend Brentwood to anyone looking to sell their business.”
Warren Harlow (Seller), Former Owner of Family Air Heating & Cooling
“Brentwood Growth did an excellent job from our first meeting through the close of the deal and then through the end of the indemnity term. There wasn’t one time that I felt like Brentwood Growth was just doing a job. They put every effort and care into the process as if it was just as personal to them as it was to me. Brentwood Growth’s advice and diligence throughout the process was second to none and gave me the confidence that I was getting the best outcome for my situation. I have recommended and will continue to recommend Brentwood Growth to other business owners interested in seeing what the potential of their business holds. Brentwood Growth will work diligently to get the best possible outcome for the business owner.”
Chris Barrett (Seller)
“Steve was very thorough in explaining the process and what we could expect. He helped us through every step, explaining what was needed and why. His expertise and advice were invaluable to us, and we are grateful to Brentwood for helping us through this process”
Kenis Hamilton (Seller), Hamilton Roofing Inc.
“I can’t tell you how grateful we are for everything that you guys have done for us. I would recommend anyone who is thinking of selling their business to work with Brentwood Growth. Brentwood Growth was by our side the entire time, never once did they push us into a sub-par offer just to make a sale, in fact they recommended a step back to build more value. The value added by working with your team was unbelievable, well worth the cost. Thanks again for everything, you guys are truly awesome.”
Chad and Kellie Larson (Seller), Advanced Heating & Air, LLC.
“When I first met Brentwood, I had no idea what I really wanted to do, what I did know is I needed a change. The Brentwood team helped me not only understand what my business was worth but consider options that I had not thought of. They were responsive and very knowledgeable. They laid out the multiple pros and cons of each, never pushed and allowed me to move at my pace. When I decided which option I wanted to explore they immediately set up conversations and the process began. We talked to a variety of partners, and I got a real feel of what was possible and what was the right fit. There is no way I could have managed the due diligence and legal process on my own. They were excellent at managing that and guiding me through all the way to closing. This was a huge decision for my family and myself, and I cannot imagine a better advisor. I would highly recommend Brentwood for anyone wanting to begin to explore options. On top of everything else they are straight shooters and good guys.”
Brian Resnick (Seller), Ecosystems NJ
“The Brentwood team is great. They understand the market, what we are looking for, come prepared, and manage the seller and the process extremely professionally. These are tough deals due to the size of the business, limited financial and corporate records and the fact that these sellers have never been through a process before. They bring great value in managing the entire process. We always listen when Brentwood calls with an opportunity.”
Michael Hompesch (Buyer), Ecosystems, NJ
“I am extremely pleased with the Brentwood Growth team. They have earned every penny, probably more, and honestly, we wouldn’t have gotten to where we are today without them. On a daily basis they impressed me with their knowledge. They communicate well and I felt like I was Brentwood Growth’s only customer. I wish my team treated all of my customers this way in all their interactions. You should know (and I’m sure you already know) – these guys are rock stars. I’ll tell everyone I know who is looking to exit to reach out to Brentwood Growth. Hands down the best experience I could have hoped for!”
Nathan Senica, John’s Service and Sales, Inc.
“We really liked John. He came to our house and sat at the kitchen table. He was honest, kind and straight forward which we really appreciated. We had no idea what the process looked like to sell a business. Brentwood Growth broke it down into different stages that helped immensely. They were always available for a meeting when we had questions. They handled us with care. When they saw us struggling, they boosted us when we needed it. We truly enjoyed working with them. We always felt they had our best interest at heart. They listened to what kind of company we wanted to partner with, they found us the right partner and we got the highest price!”
Jan LePrevost, Seller, LePrevost Plumbing, Heating and Cooling
“I was given a timeline early on of what to expect. That timeline was hit every time. Our close actually happened sooner than the given timeline. My overall experience was excellent, and I would recommend Brentwood Growth to other sellers without hesitation.”
Jon Sells, Seller, Jon’s Plumbing & Heating Air
You’ve Built the Business.
Now Build the Life you want.
Don’t leave your future up to chance.
Whether you’re staying or selling, as a business sale advisor we’ll help you build a more profitable, self-sufficient, and valuable company — with clarity and confidence.
Videos
How to Build a Trades Business That Doesn’t Run You | Inside the Foundations Program
Common Bookkeeping Mistakes Costing Your Business Money | Sell or Scale
Family Office Buyer Reveals What Makes $1-3M Service Businesses Irresistible | Anuj Khandelwal Rooted Ventures
FAQs
Answered by Expert Business Advisors
What does a business broker for trades businesses do?
A business broker helps you sell your company by valuing it, preparing it for market, finding qualified buyers, managing negotiations, and guiding the deal through due diligence to closing. For trades businesses, that includes positioning the business around cash flow, systems, and transferable operations.
How does the process work?
The process typically starts with a discovery call and a financial review to understand value and readiness. Next comes valuation and a plan to improve profit, systems, and owner independence. From there, we choose a track scale or sell and execute with ongoing support through implementation and, if selling, buyer outreach and closing.
What increases valuation for a home service business the most?
Valuation improves most when true profitability is stronger and more consistent, financials are clean, and the business can run without the owner. Documented systems, dependable KPIs, strong leadership, and reduced customer or owner concentration all increase buyer confidence and value.
What determines the multiple a buyer will pay?
A buyer’s multiple is driven by risk and scalability especially the quality of earnings, revenue consistency, margins, and how dependent the business is on the owner. Buyers also look at team depth, systems, customer mix, competitive position, and how predictable future cash flow appears.
How long does it take to get a transaction completed and will I be required to stay on post sale?
Timelines vary by business readiness and buyer type, but a sale often takes several months from preparation to closing. Most deals include a transition period where the owner stays on to train the buyer and ensure continuity, with terms based on the complexity of operations and the final agreement.
Who are the buyers for companies like mine?
Buyers often include private equity-backed platforms, strategic operators looking to expand, and qualified individual buyers. The right buyer depends on your size, profitability, growth profile, and how systemized the company is some prioritize scale, others prioritize stable cash flow.
How does Brentwood Growth get paid?
For brokerage transactions, compensation is typically success-based, meaning the primary fee is earned when a deal closes. Advisory and program support may be structured separately depending on the track, scope, and level of hands-on implementation required.
Do I have to sell 100% or is a partial sale possible?
A full sale is common, but partial sale structures can be possible depending on the buyer and your goals. Some owners sell a majority stake and retain equity, while others structure earn-outs or phased transitions terms vary based on performance, risk, and deal structure.