Blogs

What is a good profit margin and utilization rate for an engineering firm?
Why does an engineering firm with record-breaking revenue often leave its owner with less take-home profit than a senior project manager? It's a common frustration to see a team at full capacity while the bank balance remains stagnant. You have likely found yourself asking, "What is a good profit ma...
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Why is My Architecture Firm Always Busy But Never Seems to Make Money?
What if the primary obstacle to your firm’s profitability isn't a lack of talent or a shortage of projects, but the very way you've structured your leadership? It's a question many firm owners face when they look at a full calendar and a stagnant bottom line. You might find yourself asking, Why is m...
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How Many Years Before Selling Should I Start Preparing My Architecture, Engineering or Construction Firm?
For most owners of architecture, engineering, or construction (AEC) firms, the business is more than a balance sheet—it is a life’s work. Yet when the time comes to consider an exit, many discover they have built a high-paying job, not a high-value asset. The key to a successful sale is not a last-m...
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How Do I Sell a Construction Company When Everything Runs on My Relationships and My Bonding Capacity?
For many owners of construction firms in the $1M to $20M range, the business is a direct reflection of their personal reputation. Every major contract is won on a handshake, every project milestone is overseen by you, and the company’s ability to take on new work is tied directly to your personal gu...
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How Do I Figure Out What My Engineering Consulting Firm is Actually Worth?
As the owner of an engineering consulting firm, you have likely dedicated years, if not decades, to building a reputation for technical excellence. Your name is synonymous with quality, and your clients trust your judgment implicitly. Yet, when you begin to consider your exit, a disquieting question...
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How Much Should I Pay Myself as the Owner of an Architecture Firm?
Table of Contents The Strategic Shift: Why Your Salary is the Foundation of a Saleable Firm Calculating Your Pay: A 3-Part Framework for AEC Owners Optimizing for Exit: How Your Pay Impacts Future Firm Value The Strategic Shift: Why Your Salary is the Foundation of a Saleable Firm For many arch...
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