Blog - Core Growth Group

Quality of Earnings vs Normalized EBITDA: Differences, Process & Valuation Use

September 7, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Compare quality of earnings vs normalized EBITDA to understand which one sets your valuation, how the QoE process works, and...

How to Get More HVAC Reviews: Strategies & Platforms

September 2, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Learn how to get more HVAC reviews with same-day requests, platform-specific rules, and response habits that boost ratings and protect...

Plumbing Maintenance Agreement Template: Pricing, Terms & Examples

August 31, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Learn how a plumbing maintenance agreement template sets pricing tiers and renewal terms, plus how recurring revenue lifts your business...

HVAC Maintenance Agreement Template: Pricing, Terms & Examples

August 28, 2026 | by Clint Evans

See what belongs in an HVAC maintenance agreement template, how to price your plans, and which terms make your agreement...

Business Sale Transition Plan: Key Steps, Timeline & Seller Responsibilities

August 27, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Business sale transition plan explained: the four key steps, a realistic two-year timeline, and the seller responsibilities that follow closing.

Letter of Intent When Selling a Business: Meaning, Terms & Risks

August 19, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Understand what a letter of intent means when selling a business, which terms bind you at signing, and the risks...

What Is an Earnout When Selling a Business? Examples, Pros & Cons

August 17, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Learn what an earnout is when selling a business, how the payments are triggered, and the pros and cons sellers...

Business Sale Closing Costs: Legal Fees, Taxes & Seller Net Proceeds

August 12, 2026 | by Clint Evans

See what business sale closing costs include, from legal fees and taxes to debt payoffs, and learn how to calculate...

EBITDA Add-Backs Explained: Meaning, Examples & Valuation Impact

August 10, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Learn what EBITDA add-backs are, which expenses qualify as one, and how each documented adjustment multiplies into the price a...

Adjusted EBITDA vs EBITDA: Differences, Formula & Use Cases

August 7, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Compare Adjusted EBITDA vs EBITDA, from the formula for each to which add-backs buyers accept and when to use each...

SDE vs EBITDA vs Cash Flow: Differences, Formulas & Business Valuation Use

August 5, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Compare SDE vs EBITDA vs cash flow: how each metric is calculated, which one buyers use to value your service...

Adjusted EBITDA vs SDE: Differences, Calculator & Use Cases

August 3, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Compare Adjusted EBITDA vs SDE to see how each is calculated, which one buyers apply to your business, and what...

How to Prepare a Business for Sale: Stages, Timeline & Best Options

July 24, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Learn how to prepare a business for sale, from financials to valuation, and discover the stages, timeline, and best options...

How to Create a Business Exit Strategy: Key Steps & Timing

July 13, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Key Takeaways A real exit strategy is built in five steps: define your personal and financial goals, get a defensible...

Plumbing Business Valuation for Sale: EBITDA Multiples & Calculator

July 1, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Key Takeaways Plumbing businesses are valued using three core multiples: SDE (1.68x–2.97x) for owner-operated shops under $1M in earnings, EBITDA...

How to Grow a Plumbing Business: 5 Scaling Strategies for 2026

June 29, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Key Takeaways Most plumbing businesses stall between $3M and $6M, not because of weak demand, but because the systems that...

Strategic Buyer vs Private Equity For Business Sale: Key Differences, Pros & Cons

June 25, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Key Takeaways A strategic buyer acquires to operate and hold long-term, while private equity buys to scale and resell within...

EBITDA vs Revenue Valuation: Key Differences, Calculator & Use Case

June 22, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Key Takeaways EBITDA valuation measures what a business actually earns in operating cash flow, while revenue valuation measures top-line sales...

How to Scale a HVAC Business: Process, Timeline & Tips

June 18, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Key Takeaways Scaling an HVAC business is a four-step process: systematize operations, tighten financial visibility, build field leadership, and layer...

How to Sell a HVAC Company: Key Steps, Average Duration & Top Options

May 29, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Key Takeaways Selling an HVAC company is a 6 to 12 month transaction, with another 6 to 12 months of...

How Long Does It Take to Sell a Business: Stages & Average Timeline

May 27, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Key Takeaways Selling a privately held HVAC or plumbing service business typically runs 12 to 18 months end-to-end, with 6...

How to Sell a Plumbing Company: Process, Timelines & Best Options

May 20, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Key Takeaways Selling a plumbing company is a 9 to 12-month process that runs through valuation, financial cleanup, buyer outreach,...

How to Value an HVAC Business for Sale: EBITDA Valuation & Calculator

May 19, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Key Takeaways HVAC owners with annual revenue under $5M usually expect a sale price tied to revenue, but buyers value...

Which AI Technologies Are Most Relevant for Plumbing Companies?

April 13, 2026 | by Clint Evans

While larger plumbing companies dominate with dedicated staff and resources, smaller operations are discovering AI tools that level the playing...

What Are the Top 5 AI Processes to Implement for a Plumbing Company?

April 11, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Most plumbing companies lose thousands in revenue simply because they respond too slowly to leads. Research shows the difference between...

Is It Better to Close a Plumbing or HVAC Business or Sell It?

April 1, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Got Profits? Thinking about selling your struggling business? You might actually walk away with less money than if you closed...

Who Pays Closing Costs When Selling a Plumbing, Electric or HVAC Business?

March 25, 2026 | by Clint Evans

Closing costs can consume 10-20% of your business sale proceeds, yet most sellers don't realize who's responsible for what until...

Plumber 65+ Succession Planning: Getting Top Value + Protecting Your Business Legacy

February 1, 2026 | by Clint Evans

If you're a plumbing business owner over 65, the value of your life's work could shrink dramatically—or disappear entirely—without proper...

Reviewly.ai vs Localo.com – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

November 7, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Choosing the right local SEO platform could make or break your business's online visibility, but most companies don't realize that...

Reviewly.ai vs WiserReview.com – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

November 3, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Choosing the wrong review management platform could cost your business thousands in lost revenue. One focuses exclusively on Google with...

Reviewly.ai vs RightResponseAI.com – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

November 2, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Choosing the right review management platform could save your business thousands annually, but the $375 monthly price difference between these...

Reviewly.ai vs Liftify.com – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

October 30, 2025 | by Clint Evans

The $99 vs $1,000 monthly price gap between Reviewly.ai and Liftify reveals two completely different philosophies about reputation management—but which...

Reviewly.ai vs TrueReview.co – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

October 29, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Choosing between reputation management platforms can make or break your online presence, but one critical pricing difference could save your...

Reviewly.ai vs ReviewInc.com – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

October 28, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Choosing between Reviewly.ai and ReviewInc.com for your business? The $39/month price difference tells only part of the story—one platform's AI-powered...

Reviewly.ai vs PowerReviews.com – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

October 27, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Small businesses spending $99/month on Google review automation versus enterprise companies investing $500+ monthly in multi-platform management – but which...

Reviewly.ai vs GatherUp.com – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

October 25, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Choosing between Reviewly.ai and GatherUp for reputation management isn't just about features—it's about whether you're building an agency or scaling...

What Is the Most Common Mistake People Make When Selling Their Plumbing Business?

October 24, 2025 | by Clint Evans

You might think selling your plumbing business is straightforward, but one critical mistake costs owners 10-30% of their potential value—and...

Reviewly.ai vs ReviewTrackers.com – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

October 24, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Choosing review management software for your business under $10M in revenue? One platform boasts 96-98% open rates through SMS automation,...

Reviewly.ai vs NiceJob.com – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

October 23, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Small businesses waste thousands choosing the wrong review management platform, but one crucial factor determines whether you'll actually get more...

How Can Your Plumbing Company Be Recommended by Apple Siri Voice Assistant?

October 22, 2025 | by Clint Evans

With millions using voice search for plumbing needs, getting Siri to recommend your business could be a game-changer—but there's one...

How Can Your Plumbing Company Be Recommended by Amazon Alexa Voice Assistant?

October 22, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Most plumbing companies don't realize that Amazon Alexa pulls business recommendations from third-party directories like Google and Yelp, not direct...

How Your Plumbing Company Can Be Recommended by Google Voice Assistant?

October 21, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Picture this: It's 6 PM, water is gushing everywhere, and a panicked homeowner yells "Hey Google, find me an emergency...

Can Plumbing Company Valuation Be Manipulated?

October 21, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Plumbing business valuations are surprisingly easy to manipulate through inflated EBITDA numbers, overvalued equipment, and hidden financial tricks that cost...

What Is the 80/20 Rule in Private Equity?

October 20, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Approximately 80% of private equity returns come from just 20% of investments—but what separates these elite performers from the rest?...

How many times EBITDA is a Plumbing company worth?

October 19, 2025 | by Clint Evans

If you're planning to sell your plumbing business, you might be surprised by what it's actually worth. While most companies...

What Is the Failure Rate of Private Equity?

October 18, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Private equity-backed companies are 10 times more likely to go bankrupt than regular businesses, with a record 110 PE failures...

Reviewly.ai vs DigitalMass.com – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

October 17, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Choosing between review management platforms seems straightforward until you discover that SMS campaigns achieve 96-98% open rates while emails barely...

Reviewly.ai vs Swellcx.com – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

October 17, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Choosing between $99/month Reviewly.ai and $199/month Swell CX isn't just about price – it's about whether your business needs simple...

Reviewly.ai vs SocialPilot.co – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

October 16, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Choosing between specialized AI review tools and comprehensive reputation management platforms could make or break your business growth. SocialPilot's $30/month...

Reviewly.ai vs Yext.com – Which Gets More Google Reviews Easier and Faster?

October 16, 2025 | by Clint Evans

Choosing between Reviewly.ai's $99/month Google-focused automation and Yext's $199/year multi-platform approach isn't just about price—it's about whether your business model...