Most business owners assume they need a broker to sell. For a $1.5M–$10M business, that assumption can cost six figures in commission — and put your confidentiality at risk through a public listing. There is a direct alternative.
Why owners are selling direct
A traditional business broker or transfer agent lists your business, markets it, and takes a success fee when it sells. That service has value — but it comes with three real costs:
- Commission of around 5–10%+ of the sale price (often higher on smaller deals), frequently on top of an upfront marketing or engagement fee.
- Public exposure. A listing on a marketplace signals to staff, customers, suppliers and competitors that you’re selling — before you’re ready.
- Tyre-kickers. Open listings attract unqualified enquiries that waste weeks of your time.
Selling directly to a vetted buyer removes all three. You stay in control of who sees your numbers, you keep the commission, and you talk to a genuine acquirer — not a queue of browsers.
How much does a broker actually cost?
Commission scales with your sale price, so the larger the business, the larger the cheque you hand over. A typical example on a $2,000,000 sale:
Broker vs. direct — on a $2M sale
Figures are indicative — broker rates vary by deal size and market — but the pattern holds: on a mid-market SME, commission is almost always a five- to six-figure number.
Is selling without a broker right for you?
Direct selling suits owners who want confidentiality and are open to dealing with a buyer directly. It works best when:
- Your business turns over roughly $1.5M–$10M.
- You’re in a service, B2B, professional services, trades, health, tech or distribution sector (we don’t currently acquire hotels, accommodation, bricks-and-mortar retail, cafes or restaurants).
- You’d rather have a confidential conversation than a public auction.
What a direct, confidential sale looks like
- A short, confidential enquiry. Around 60 seconds — no sensitive details upfront. We check industry, revenue, headcount and location to confirm we can genuinely help.
- Your private deal room. If it’s a fit, you get a secure, token-gated deal room — no login required — to share financials, an information memorandum or a teaser, or simply send a message.
- You talk to a buyer directly. We respond within 48 hours. If there’s a fit, we discuss structure, price and timeline directly — no broker, no commission, no public listing.
What about tax when I sell?
How much you keep also depends on tax — and the structure of the deal matters as much as the headline price.
- UK: qualifying sellers may claim Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) — a reduced Capital Gains Tax rate (18% from 6 April 2026, up from the old 10%) on qualifying gains up to a £1m lifetime limit. Loan notes and earn-outs have specific CGT timing rules. Read the full BADR guide →
- Australia: the small business CGT concessions (Division 152) — the 15-year exemption, 50% active-asset reduction, retirement exemption and rollover — can substantially reduce or eliminate CGT for eligible owners.
Ready to sell on your terms?
Start a confidential, no-obligation enquiry. It’s free for sellers, there’s no commission, and your details stay private.
Start your confidential enquiry →Frequently asked questions
Can I sell my business without a broker?
Yes. Many SME owners sell directly to a qualified buyer without a broker. You keep control of confidentiality and save the 5–10%+ commission — a direct platform like BuyBuildSell supports the vetting and the deal room so you’re not doing it alone.
How much do business brokers charge?
In Australia and the UK, brokers typically charge a success fee of around 5–10% of the sale price (higher on smaller deals), often plus an upfront fee. On a $2M sale that’s commonly $100,000–$200,000 or more.
Is selling without a broker confidential?
It can be more confidential than a public listing. Selling directly through a private, token-gated deal room means your details are shared only with a vetted buyer, and only with your consent.
What does it cost me to sell through BuyBuildSell?
Nothing. It’s free for sellers — no listing fee, no retainer, and no commission. We’re buyers; if a deal makes sense we buy or introduce to our network.
How do I start?
Complete the short confidential enquiry. If it’s a fit you’ll get a private deal room within 48 hours to share figures and talk directly.
Related: What’s your business worth? · UK CGT & BADR · AU CGT & small business concessions · Vendor finance & earn-outs.