Most dock and marine services 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.
Dock and marine services businesses are valued on recurring seasonal contracts, owned equipment and waterfront access, and a crew that returns each year. Recurring maintenance and moorage contracts, owned barges and equipment, and secured site access lift value; single-season revenue, owner-led operations, and permitting uncertainty weigh it down.
Pushes the number up
- Recurring maintenance, moorage, or service contracts
- Owned equipment, barges, and waterfront access
- A returning seasonal crew and manager
- Secured permits and site leases
Pulls the number down
- Single-season, weather-dependent revenue
- Owner runs operations personally
- Aging equipment due for replacement
- Permitting or site-access uncertainty
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 InsightsDock and marine services businesses are valued as a multiple of normalized EBITDA, alongside owned equipment and site access. Recurring contracts, seasonality, and permits all move the number. Clariva shows the benchmark range for your size and province.
Higher for companies with recurring contracts, owned equipment, and secured site access; lower for single-season, owner-run operations. Enter your numbers to see your range.
Yes. Secured waterfront access and permits are difficult to replicate, which buyers value when they transfer with the business.
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.