Discover What Your Business Is Really Worth

Knowing your business’s value is essential for planning an exit, attracting investors, understanding your market position, supporting financial events like loans or estate planning, and tracking growth to guide strategy.

Why choose First Midwest Advisors?

  • Transparent Pricing: No hidden fees.
  • Expert Guidance: Personalized support from experienced advisors.
  • Strategic Value: Insights that support planning, growth, or transition decisions.

Our 6-Step Valuation Process

1. INITIAL MEETING

Our team of experts will assist you in determining your valuation needs and create a customized valuation plan that best fits your needs.

2. ENGAGEMENT LETTER SIGNED

A formal agreement outlining the scope of services, pricing, responsibilities, and expectations for the valuation engagement.

3. DUE DILIGENCE & DATA GATHERING

We collect key information and documentation to support an accurate valuation, including:

  • Completed business questionnaire
  • Financial statements, tax returns, and internal reports
  • Articles of incorporation (if applicable)
  • Additional materials such as business plans, marketing strategies, & operational data

4. INITIAL REVIEW & CLARIFICATIONS

Our team analyzes the submitted data and, when needed, consults with key contacts (e.g., owner or accountant) to resolve questions and highlight critical issues.

5. REVIEW OF VALUATION DRAFT

We present a preliminary valuation and walk you through the key factors behind it, gathering your input, and addressing any questions before finalizing.

6. VALUATION CONCLUSION

We provide the finalized valuation report and review the results with you, addressing any remaining questions. This marks the completion of the engagement.

Valuation Tiers to Fit Your Needs

We offer multiple valuation packages so you can choose the level of insight and support that fits your goals.

Tier 1: Valuation Consulting Analysis (Non-Certified)

A Valuation Consulting Analysis is perfect for business owners who need a reliable estimate of value without the complexity or cost of a full appraisal. It offers a practical, streamlined solution for internal planning, strategic decision-making, or preparing for future transitions. This service bridges the gap between basic online tools and formal certified reports, giving you professional insights in a condensed format, quickly and affordably.

Starting at: $3,000

What You’ll Get:

  • Concise, professionally prepared valuation report (10–20 pages)
  • Company overview and financial analysis
  • Valuation analysis and range of value conclusion
  • One-on-one call to review the results and answer your questions
  • Practical insights for strategic planning, succession, or financing
  • Fast turnaround (typically 5–10 business days)
  • Affordable alternative to full appraisal reports
  • Ideal for internal use — not intended for IRS, legal, or partner dispute settings

Ideal For:

  • Privately held businesses under $50M in revenue
  • Founders seeking a benchmark valuation without the cost of a full appraisal
  • Owners planning for internal use or strategic decision-making
  • Businesses exploring growth, financing, or early-stage transition planning

Tier 2: Summary Appraisal Report / Calculation of Value (Certified)

A Summary Appraisal Report provides a deeper, more structured valuation than a basic consulting analysis, without the full cost or complexity of a certified appraisal. It offers a formal, method-driven assessment of your business’s value, including industry benchmarks and applied valuation methods. This report is ideal when you need credible insights that can support strategic decisions or stakeholder discussions, but you’re not facing legal or IRS scrutiny.

Starting at: $8,000

What You’ll Get:

  • A formal, professionally prepared valuation report (typically 50–100 pages)
  • Company overview, industry analysis, and financial review
  • Applied valuation methods and cost of capital analysis
  • Clear explanation of assumptions and valuation process
  • One-on-one call to review findings and answer questions
  • Credible, well-documented value range for strategic use
  • Turnaround time of approximately 2–3 weeks
  • Strong foundation for internal planning, partner discussions, or financing

Ideal For:

  • Privately held businesses seeking a formal, supportable valuation
  • Owners preparing for financing, internal buyouts, or partner planning
  • Founders needing a clear, documented value without full legal defensibility
  • Businesses undergoing strategic planning, ESOP exploration, or investor discussions

Tier 3: Full Appraisal Report (Certified)

When accuracy, credibility, and defensibility are critical, the Full Appraisal Report delivers. Designed for situations involving IRS scrutiny or legal disputes, this comprehensive report offers a deeply documented and transparent valuation process. It serves as the most cost-effective safeguard against risk, providing clarity, support, and expert analysis that holds up in any setting, including courtrooms and regulatory reviews.

Starting at: $12,000

What You’ll Get:

  • Extensive valuation report (200–300 pages)
  • In-depth company, industry, and macroeconomic analysis
  • Application of multiple valuation and cost of capital methods
  • Valuation of pass-through entities (if applicable)
  • Final conclusion of value with full methodological transparency
  • One-on-one delivery call with valuation education and support
  • Defensible in legal, tax, or regulatory environments
  • Turnaround time: 3–6 weeks (depending on timely info from client

Ideal For:

  • Businesses facing IRS audits, legal disputes, or partner litigation
  • Companies seeking third-party certified valuations
  • Founders preparing for complex exits, estate planning, or ESOPs
  • Situations where a poorly executed report could have material consequences

Start Your Valuation Today

Ready to uncover your business’s true value?