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Planning

How Long Does It Take
to Sell a Security Company?

Most security company sales run 6 to 12 months from first call to close — faster when you're prepared, slower when diligence turns up surprises. Here's the realistic path.

1

Discovery & Readiness

WEEKS 1–4

Confidential discovery call, compliance and readiness review, and an honest read on timeline and goals.

2

Valuation & Prep

MONTHS 1–3

Valuation from real comparables, fixing compliance gaps, and building the confidential information memorandum.

3

Go-to-Market

MONTHS 3–6

Confidential outreach to qualified buyers, management meetings, and first indications of interest.

4

Negotiation & Diligence

MONTHS 6–9

Letter of intent, exclusivity, and buyer due diligence across financials, contracts, and licensing.

5

Close & Transition

MONTHS 9–12

Final negotiation, definitive agreements, closing, and a transition that protects your team and clients.

★

Start Early

The single biggest lever on both timeline and price is how prepared you are on day one. Compliance cleanup and value-driver work should begin 12–24 months out.

What makes it faster — or slower

  • Clean licensing across every state speeds diligence dramatically. See compliance.
  • Organized financials — reviewed statements and clean contract files cut weeks off diligence.
  • Low client concentration reduces buyer risk questions and back-and-forth.
  • A real management layer reassures buyers the business runs without you in the room.

An exit readiness assessment done early is the cheapest way to compress this entire timeline.

Plan Your Path

Start the clock on your terms.

A confidential call maps your specific timeline against your goals — with no obligation to proceed.

Schedule a Confidential Call →