Business Valuation New Orleans, LA
The short answer
At Duran Advisors, a calculation of value is $1,000 and most valuations run $1,000 to $7,500.
Our limited-scope calculations of value start at $1,000, valuations for a sale or M&A preparation run $1,000 to $7,500, and full conclusions of value for litigation, divorce, or estate purposes are typically $7,500 or more depending on expenses and court appearance services. That compares well with the wider market, where published fee guides from credentialed practices put standard small-business valuations between $2,000 and $10,000. Duran Advisors performs valuations under NACVA Professional Standards methodology from our Metairie office, serving business owners across the New Orleans metro and the Gulf South.
What does a business valuation cost in New Orleans?
The price is driven by three things: the purpose of the report, the scope of the engagement, and the complexity of the business. Here is how our pricing compares with typical ranges from other vendors:
| Engagement purpose | Other vendors (typical) | Duran Advisors |
|---|---|---|
| Calculation of value (planning, early price expectations) | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,000 |
| SBA loan valuation (lender-ordered) | $2,000 to $3,000 | - |
| Valuation for a sale or M&A preparation | $2,000 to $10,000 | $1,000 to $7,500 |
| Conclusion of value (litigation, divorce, estate, IRS) | $7,500 to $15,000 or more | $4,500 to $7,500, plus expenses and court appearance services |
Vendor ranges reflect published 2025 to 2026 fee guides from credentialed valuation practices and typical market pricing. SBA loan valuations are ordered by the lender, so we do not perform them. Your quote depends on scope and complexity; we confirm both on the intake call before any engagement.
Which report do you need: Calculation or Conclusion of Value?
Limited scope, agreed-upon procedures, a defensible range instead of one number. Right for sale-prep pricing, partner buy-outs, annual benchmarking, and exit planning math. Typical turnaround 2 to 3 days from documents in, with a 24-hour rush available.
Calculation of Value detailsFull scope, every procedure the methodology requires, a report built to withstand scrutiny. Required for litigation, IRS gift and estate filings, ESOPs, and major transactions. Litigation engagements add expenses and court appearance services. Typical turnaround 1 to 2 weeks, with a 72-hour rush available.
Conclusion of Value detailsNot sure which applies? Tell us what the number is for and we will tell you which product fits. We do not sell the bigger report when the purpose does not require it.
Why a local New Orleans valuation matters
A valuation is only as good as the market evidence behind it. We sell businesses across the Gulf South, so our valuations are grounded in what buyers actually pay here: the multiples on closed Louisiana transactions, the lender appetite at regional banks and SBA shops, and the buyer pool that shows up for New Orleans companies in construction, services, hospitality, healthcare, and distribution.
- Market-tested, not theoretical. The same firm that values your business takes businesses to market and watches buyers underwrite them.
- Recast first. Every valuation starts with normalized financials, owner compensation, one-time items, and non-operating adjustments documented line by line.
- Local coverage. Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, and the river parishes from our Metairie office; New Orleans metro, Baton Rouge, Houma-Thibodaux, and South Mississippi by engagement.
- Credentialed work. Performed under NACVA Professional Standards methodology with 15+ years in Gulf South dealmaking.
Valuations at Duran Advisors are performed by Joel F. Duran, who holds the CM&AA, M&AMI, CEPA, and CM&AP designations and has spent 15+ years valuing and selling businesses across the Gulf South. The full menu of engagement types is on our Value A Business page.
How the valuation process works
New Orleans business valuation FAQ
How much does a business valuation typically cost?
At Duran Advisors, a calculation of value is a flat $1,000, valuations for a sale or M&A preparation run $1,000 to $7,500, and conclusions of value run $4,500 to $7,500 plus expenses and court appearance services for litigation. Published fee guides put comparable industry work between $2,000 and $10,000, so our engagements typically price under market.
How much is a business worth with $1,000,000 in sales?
It depends on earnings, not revenue. A business with $1,000,000 in sales and $250,000 of seller's discretionary earnings is typically worth a multiple of that $250,000, not of the revenue. BizBuySell's 2025 Year-in-Review reports sold Main Street businesses averaging about 2.6 times SDE. Our $1,000 calculation of value pins your exact multiple.
How much is a business worth with $500,000 in sales?
The same earnings logic applies. Two companies with $500,000 in revenue can be worth very different amounts: one netting $150,000 of discretionary earnings with documented books commands a real multiple, while one at break-even may be worth little more than its assets. For $1,000, a Duran calculation of value settles the question.
How much is a business worth that makes $300,000 a year?
If the $300,000 is true seller's discretionary earnings after recasting, the business is typically worth a multiple of that figure, with the multiple set by industry, growth, transferability, and risk. IBBA and M&A Source Market Pulse data shows Main Street multiples clustering between 2 and 3 times SDE. Our valuations start at $1,000 and pin your business inside that range.
Who performs business valuations in New Orleans?
Credentialed valuation professionals: CPA-affiliated valuation practices, appraisal firms, and M&A advisory firms like Duran Advisors. We perform valuations under NACVA Professional Standards methodology from Metairie with posted pricing starting at $1,000, and because we also sell businesses across the Gulf South, our numbers reflect what local buyers actually pay rather than textbook formulas.
How long does a business valuation take?
At Duran Advisors, a calculation of value typically takes 2 to 3 days from the day your documents are complete, and a full conclusion of value takes 1 to 2 weeks. Industry norms run closer to 2 to 3 weeks. Rush delivery, 24 hours for calculations and 72 hours for conclusions, is available when the deadline is fixed.
Find out what your New Orleans business is worth
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