One of the first questions owners ask is how long a sale will take. The honest answer is that it depends — but most well-run processes run from six to twelve months from the decision to sell through to completion, with preparation sometimes beginning much earlier.
Preparation: 1–3 months (or more)
Getting the business ready — financials, legal clean-up, the information memorandum and the buyer list — takes time and is where value is protected. Rushing this stage almost always costs more than it saves.
Marketing and offers: 2–4 months
Approaching buyers, holding management meetings and gathering indicative offers narrows the field to a shortlist of credible, motivated bidders.
Diligence and closing: 2–4 months
The selected buyer conducts due diligence and the parties negotiate the sale agreement through to signing and completion. Complex structures, regulatory approvals or financing conditions can extend this stage.
What speeds it up
The single biggest accelerator is preparation. A well-prepared business with a clean data room and a clear equity story moves faster, holds value better, and gives buyers fewer reasons to hesitate.