What affects round value
There is no single number that fits every round. Two rounds with the same yearly income can be worth quite different amounts once you look at how they actually run. Here is a plain breakdown of the things we weigh up, so you know what we are looking at and why.
You may have heard rounds change hands at a set multiple of the cleaning price. It is a rough rule of thumb, but it is only a starting point. We do not apply a single multiplier and call it a valuation. We look at the round as a whole, because the detail is what decides whether customers stay and the work keeps running smoothly. Everything below feeds into the indication we give you.
What we look at
- 01
Round value and customer count
The size of the round matters: how many regular customers you have and what the round brings in across a typical cycle. A larger, settled base of repeat customers generally carries more value than a small or patchy one, but size alone is never the whole story.
- 02
Route density
How tightly the work sits together is one of the biggest factors. A compact round where many customers are close to one another is efficient to run and far more attractive than the same number of customers spread thinly across a wide area with a lot of driving between them.
- 03
Average price per clean
The typical price you charge per clean affects both income and margin. Rounds priced sensibly for the work tend to be healthier than rounds where prices have not moved in years. We look at the average, not just the headline figure.
- 04
Residential, commercial or mixed
Residential rounds, commercial contracts and mixed rounds each behave differently. Residential work is often steady and predictable. Commercial work can be higher value but may depend on contracts and longer payment terms. A mixed round can offer a useful balance. We consider the make-up rather than treating them all the same.
- 05
Payment methods and reliability
How customers pay, and how reliably, makes a real difference. Customers on regular direct payment or a tidy collection system who settle promptly are worth more than a round with a long tail of slow or missed payments. Good payment habits show a healthy, well-run round.
- 06
Customer tenure and stability
Customers who have been with you for years and rarely cancel point to a stable round. A high turnover of customers, or lots of recent sign-ups that have not settled in, carries more uncertainty. Long, loyal relationships add value.
- 07
How much depends on the owner
A round that runs largely on a clear routine is easier to take on than one held together by the owner's personal relationships or memory. The less the round depends on you specifically, the smoother the handover and the more comfortable the valuation.
- 08
Equipment and method
Whether the round is run on a water-fed pole system, traditional methods or a mix can affect how easily it transfers and how it fits with how we work. Method is not a deal-breaker either way, but it is part of the picture.
- 09
Area and local demand
Location is one factor among many. Demand in the area, how built-up it is and how the round sits within it all play a part. A strong round in a quieter area can still be very attractive, so we never judge on postcode alone.
What tends to lift or lower value
None of these are absolute. They are simply the patterns we see most often. A round can be strong in some areas and weaker in others, and we take it all into account.
Things that can lift value
- Tight, compact routes with customers close together.
- Reliable payments on a regular system, settled promptly.
- Long-standing customers with low turnover.
- Sensible pricing kept up to date.
- Clear records and a round that runs to a routine.
Things that can lower value
- Widely scattered customers with a lot of driving.
- Slow or missed payments and a large debt tail.
- High customer turnover or lots of recent cancellations.
- Prices left unchanged for many years.
- Heavy reliance on the owner and few records.
A valuation is an indication, not a fixed price
The figure we give you is an honest indication based on the information you provide. It is not a single formula applied blindly, and it is not a guaranteed offer. If you decide to proceed, we confirm the detail together and any offer reflects the round as it actually is. The clearer and more accurate the picture you give us, the more reliable the indication will be.
Find out what your round could be worth
Tell us the basics and we will give you an honest, confidential indication. No customer list needed to start, and no obligation.