Case Study
How Verdeluz Jardinería S.L. completed a smooth ownership transition after 26 years
When José Verdeluz started Verdeluz Jardinería S.L. in 1998, he nurtured it like the gardens his team designs, steadily and with care. The firm flourished, but as retirement approached, his children were busy forging their own paths. Rather than forcing them into the family business, José chose to find the right buyer. Here’s how a valuation from Faqtum gave him the platform to negotiate with the right investor, preserve his legacy, reassure employees, and enjoy his well-earned next chapter.
In Their Own Words
“After so many years building this company, it felt like part of my family. I always hoped one of my children would want to take it over, so deciding to sell was not easy. I didn’t really know what it was worth, or how to make sure it would stay in good hands.
Faqtum made it feel simple. They looked at my books, the market, and the competition, and then gave me a clear number I could trust — which turned out to be higher than I had guessed myself. I even had an hour with an expert who explained everything and answered all my questions.
In the end, I felt sure I wasn’t leaving money on the table or selling for less than it deserved, and that my employees would be looked after. That peace of mind is priceless.”
Company at a Glance
- Founded 1998
- Landscape design and maintenance
- 4 full-time employees
- Based in Aragón, Spain
- 2024 revenue €740 000
Their Big Worries
- Never valued a company before
- Afraid of selling too cheap
- Wanted staff and clients protected
- Strong emotional tie to family legacy
Why They Chose Us
- Proven record with similar small- and mid-size companies
- Access to a 1-hour explanation with expert for questions
- Transparent, collaborative process
- Very friendly and helpful
The Valuation Process
Upload
José sent five years of accounts and a short client list
Analysis
Analysts ran DCF and market-multiple analyses side by side
Review
Analyst reviewed outputs, set discount rate and key assumptions
Valuation PDF
Faqtum Valuation delivered to José’s inbox
Expert Call
60-minute live session where the José could ask any question
Valuation
Verdeluz Jardinería S.L.
€1.550.000
Low–high range: €1.40 m to €1.70 m
Methods used: DCF cross-checked with EBITDA multiples. Report length: 22 pages
Key Things José Learned
- 80 per cent of the price came from long-term maintenance contracts
- Margins were three points above the sector median
- A small rise in working-capital efficiency could add €120.000 to value
Revenue growth vs your peers
José’s net revenue is forecast to tick up 2% annually, outpacing the sector’s –0.8% average.
Profitability edge
For the past decade, José’s margins ran 3 pts above the sector median – one reason his valuation topped his own estimate.
José’s Final Big Wins
- Sold the business for 12% above the first offer
- All four employees kept their jobs
- José paid off his mortgage and now consults part-time