HVAC, home health & home services M&A activity sits at record highs heading into 2026.

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Kentucky Active PE Market

What's Your Kentucky Plumbing Business Worth?

Kentucky has 819 plumbing businesses generating an estimated $2.0B in annual revenue. Here is what buyers are actually paying, what drives multiples up or down, and how to find out what your specific business is worth.

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Kentucky Plumbing Market · BLS QCEW 2024
Plumbing businesses (est.)
819
Industry employment
8,438
Est. annual market size
$2.0B
Avg. business revenue
$2.5M
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual, NAICS 23822 (Plumbing and HVAC Contractors, Private Sector), plumbing share apportioned by BLS OEWS May 2024 occupational mix (SOC 47-2152 vs 49-9021). Revenue estimated at ~$240K per employee (PHCC industry benchmark). Data & methodology

Housing Stock & Demand Signal

Balanced demand across repair, replacement, and new construction. A diversified revenue mix appeals to buyers looking for stable year-round cash flow.

Active PE Market

Buyer Landscape in Kentucky

Kentucky sees regular PE and strategic acquisition activity in plumbing. Regional platforms backed by Redwood, Wrench Group, and Ace Hardware Home Services are adding tuck-in acquisitions in the state. Owners with $1M+ EBITDA typically get 2-4 buyer inquiries per year.

Plumbing Valuation Multiples by Business Size · Kentucky

The larger your plumbing business, the higher the multiple buyers will pay. Below is where Kentucky shops typically fall in the 2026 market, based on comparable transactions and current PE platform activity.

Business Size Valuation Basis Typical Multiple
Under $500K revenue SDE 1.8× – 2.8×
$500K – $2M revenue SDE 2.2× – 3.4×
$2M – $5M revenue SDE / EBITDA 3× – 4.5×
$5M – $15M revenue EBITDA 4.5× – 7×
$15M – $50M revenue EBITDA 6× – 8.5×
$50M+ revenue EBITDA 7.5× – 11×

Multiples are directional. Actual sale prices depend on recurring revenue, owner dependency, customer concentration, financial hygiene, and buyer type. Take the Exit Score to see where your specific business lands.

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What's your Kentucky plumbing business actually worth?

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What Actually Drives Your Kentucky Plumbing Multiple

Membership & drain revenue

Recurring revenue is the biggest lever in plumbing. Buyers pay 1-2 extra turns of EBITDA for shops where membership programs and recurring drain, sewer, and jetting contracts make up 25%+ of revenue. In Kentucky, PE-backed platforms model recurring revenue percentage as a first-page deal metric.

Owner dependency

If the business runs when you take two weeks off, it is worth more. If you hold the master license, answer every call, and price every job, buyers will discount aggressively or require you to stay for 3+ years post-close.

Licensed plumber retention

Kentucky has an estimated 8,438 plumbing industry workers across 819 shops. Licensed journeymen and masters are the scarce resource. Buyers pay premium multiples for shops that keep licensed plumbers 5+ years and have licenses held beyond the owner.

Clean financials

Accrual-basis books, reviewed or audited financials, and a clean chart of accounts add real dollars to your exit price. Cash-basis QuickBooks cost owners 10-15% at the table.

Frequently Asked · Kentucky Plumbing Valuation

What is the average plumbing business worth in Kentucky? +
A typical plumbing business in Kentucky does about $2.5M in annual revenue with roughly 10.3 employees. For an owner-operated shop, that usually translates to $200K to $600K in seller's discretionary earnings (SDE), which at Kentucky's current market of 1.75x to 4x SDE means the business is likely worth $350K to $2.4M in a normal sale. Larger operators above $1M EBITDA get valued at 3.5x to 8x EBITDA.
Are private equity buyers active in Kentucky? +
Kentucky sees regular PE and strategic acquisition activity in plumbing. Regional platforms backed by Redwood, Wrench Group, and Ace Hardware Home Services are adding tuck-in acquisitions in the state. Owners with $1M+ EBITDA typically get 2-4 buyer inquiries per year.
How does Kentucky's housing stock affect plumbing business valuations? +
Balanced demand across repair, replacement, and new construction. A diversified revenue mix appeals to buyers looking for stable year-round cash flow.
How many plumbing businesses are for sale in Kentucky? +
Kentucky has approximately 819 plumbing establishments (BLS QCEW 2024, NAICS 23822, plumbing share estimated via BLS OEWS May 2024 occupational mix). In any given year, roughly 4 to 6% change hands through owner retirement, private equity acquisitions, and estate transitions. That means 41 businesses per year, on average, are candidates for sale. Most transactions happen quietly and never hit a public listing site.
What is the fastest way to know what my Kentucky plumbing business is worth? +
Take the free Exit Score assessment. It takes about 5 minutes, asks the same questions a buyer or investment banker would ask, and returns your estimated valuation range plus the specific factors moving your multiple up or down. No sales call, no obligation, just the number.

Find out what your Kentucky plumbing business is worth

Free 5-minute assessment. Get your estimated valuation range plus the specific levers moving your multiple. No sales call, no obligation.

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