Whether you plan to sell your construction business in five years or never, here’s a hard truth:
The most valuable businesses are the ones that don’t rely on their owner.
Michael E. Gerber, author of The E-Myth, puts it plainly: “Work on your business, not in it.” Most construction business owners start out wearing every hat – estimator, site manager, buyer, bookkeeper. But the businesses that grow sustainably are the ones where the owner eventually fires themselves from those roles.
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Run It Like You’re Selling It
Running your business as if you’re preparing to sell forces you to make better decisions:
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You put systems in place.
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You delegate the low-value tasks.
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You track the right numbers.
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You stop being the bottleneck.
Even if you never sell, you end up with a stronger, more profitable, more enjoyable business.
Systems Are the Foundation
Gerber talks a lot about systemisation – creating documented, repeatable ways of doing things. It’s not about turning your team into robots. It’s about making sure quality is consistent, projects stay on track, and you’re not re-inventing the wheel every time you win a job.
Think of systems like foundations: they hold the whole structure up, even when you’re not on-site.
Set Goals. Track Progress. Stay Accountable.
A business without goals is like a build without a blueprint.
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Set clear goals – monthly margins, overhead recovery, pipeline targets.
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Track progress – not just turnover, but gross profit, cash flow, labour efficiency.
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Use a coach (or external finance expert) – someone who will call you out when you drift and celebrate progress when you stay the course.
Even elite athletes need a coach. Why should business be any different?
Sack Yourself (Before Burnout Does)
It’s time to stop being the person everyone needs to talk to in order to get something done.
Start by asking:
“What would need to happen for this part of the business to run without me?”
Then build the system. Train the person. Step away.
This is what leadership really looks like – not doing everything, but making sure everything gets done.
Bottom Line:
The businesses that can be sold are the ones that are worth owning.
Systemised. Goal-driven. Accountable. Not dependent on the owner.
So, whether your exit is five years away or never, ask yourself:
Are you building a business you could sell – even if you don’t plan to?
P.S. Want help putting structure, strategy, and financial clarity into your construction business? That’s exactly what we do. Book a call here and let’s chat.
