Most general contracting businesses 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.
General contractors are valued on the strength and predictability of their backlog, the margins they hold on projects, and whether the business can run without the owner estimating and managing every job. Thin margins, lumpy project revenue, and key-person risk are the usual discounts.
Pushes the number up
- A signed, profitable project backlog
- Project managers who run jobs without the owner
- Repeat clients and negotiated (not just bid) work
- Consistent margins across projects
Pulls the number down
- Owner personally estimates and runs every job
- Lumpy, one-off project revenue
- Thin or unpredictable project margins
- Reliance on a few large clients or developers
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 InsightsGeneral contractors are valued as a multiple of normalized EBITDA. Backlog quality, margins, and owner dependence move the multiple. Clariva shows the benchmark range for your size and province.
Higher for contractors with a profitable backlog and managers running jobs; lower for owner-run shops with lumpy, low-margin work. Enter your numbers to see your range.
Yes. A signed, profitable backlog gives a buyer visibility into future revenue and reduces their risk, which supports a stronger offer.
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.