Business Sale Due Diligence Checklist

The problem

Most small-business sales that fall apart do so during due diligence, and usually over paperwork: a tax return that doesn't match the books, a lease nobody checked, or a lien from a loan paid off years ago.

Every week a buyer waits for a document is a week for them to rethink the price. Sellers who have everything ready keep the deal moving and keep the buyer's trust.

What you get

A 12-page PDF you can print or fill in on screen:

The 96-document checklist

Financials, taxes, legal, contracts, real estate, equipment, employees, customers, operations, insurance, debt, and intellectual property. Each line tells you what the buyer is checking for, so you know why it matters.

Red flags to fix first

Ten problems that lower offers or end deals, each with what to do about it before you list.

A preparation timeline

What to gather six months out, three months out, and before you accept an offer.

A data room folder plan

Folder names, file naming, and what to black out before you share anything.

A document request log

A printable tracker for what the buyer asked for and when you delivered it.

Who it's for

Owners with no plans to sell who want to be ready if an offer comes
Owners planning to sell in the next 6 to 24 months
Owners who already have a buyer and need to get organized fast
Owners selling without a broker, or who want to be prepared before hiring one

Who it's not for

This is not a substitute for an attorney or an accountant, and it won't value your business. It gets your documents in order so that their time, and your money, goes to the deal instead of to finding paperwork.

About the author

I've owned and run an equipment rental store in New Orleans since 2008. As a business owner, you're running the business every day, and we all know the grind it takes to sustain it and grow.

After many years in business, I knew that selling successfully was going to be a process. So I started keeping track of all the information a buyer would need for due diligence.

I created this checklist to help you prepare to sell for the best price.

Ricardo Edrington

Questions

How do I get it?

It's a PDF download, available immediately after purchase.

Will every line apply to my business?

No. Each line has an N/A option. A service business with no inventory will skip several.

Is this legal advice?

No. It is general information. Have a licensed attorney and a CPA review your sale.

Can I get a refund?

Because this is a digital download delivered immediately, all sales are final. If you have a problem with your file, email us at support@bizsellassistant.com and we'll make it right.

How is this different from the free app?

The free app includes a 36-item starter checklist you fill in online. This PDF is the full 96-document version, with the red flags, timeline, data room plan, and request log.

A buyer will ask for these documents either way.

Have them ready before they ask.

Get the checklist: $49

One-time purchase. PDF download, available immediately after payment.
Because this is a digital download delivered immediately, all sales are final.

Be ready for every document a buyer will ask for.