Most engineering consulting firms in Canada change hands at a multiple of their normalized earnings, typically EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), adjusted for owner add-backs. The multiple itself depends on your size, location, growth trajectory, and how much the business depends on you, the owner.
Engineering consulting firms are valued on their backlog, repeat client relationships, and whether professional staff and their credentials stay after a sale. A contracted project backlog, repeat institutional clients, and licensed engineers who remain lift value; stamps and relationships tied to the owner, lumpy project revenue, and key-person risk weigh it down.
Pushes the number up
- A contracted project backlog
- Repeat institutional and government clients
- Licensed engineers and PMs who stay on
- A diversified mix of project types
Pulls the number down
- Stamps and relationships tied to the owner
- Lumpy, project-driven revenue
- Concentration in a few clients
- Key-person risk on the principal
You put in your numbers. We show you two things.
Market data: Sector-specific transaction multiples based on aggregated business transaction reports. Updated quarterly.
Peer benchmarks: Estimates from verified owners in your sector and size range. See what similar businesses are worth, and compare your own expectations against market data and transaction multiples.
Takes about three minutes.
No pitch. No account required. Just your numbers in, and market context out.
Get My InsightsEngineering consulting firms are valued as a multiple of normalized EBITDA. Backlog, repeat clients, staff retention, and key-person risk all move the number. Clariva shows the benchmark range for your size and province.
Higher for firms with a contracted backlog, repeat clients, and licensed staff who stay; lower for owner-dependent practices. Enter your numbers to see your range.
Yes. When the stamps, relationships, and business development sit with the owner, a buyer sees more risk, which reduces the offer. Staff who carry that load support value.
No. The estimate is for benchmarking and context only, and does not replace a formal business valuation. For a transaction, work with an M&A advisor or a Chartered Business Valuator (CBV).
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Not financial advice. Clariva is a data aggregation and compilation tool. All ranges shown on this platform are derived from publicly available transaction data and anonymized user submissions, and are provided for informational and benchmarking purposes only. Nothing on this platform constitutes a formal business valuation, financial advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell. Consult a qualified M&A advisor, Chartered Business Valuator (CBV), or legal counsel before making any financial or transactional decisions. Individual data is never shared or sold. Anonymized, aggregated insights may be used for industry research. You can request deletion of your data at any time by emailing tanner@clariva.ca.