--- title: "Buying a Business: Legal Steps, Buyer Paths & Industry Guides" description: "Find your next legal step when buying a business: first acquisition, search fund, repeat acquisition, LOI, diligence or closing. Browse industry-specific guides." canonical: "https://acquisitionstars.com/buying-a-business" firm: "Acquisition Stars" practice: "M&A and securities law" office: "Novi, Michigan (serves clients nationwide)" contact: "consult@acquisitionstars.com | 248-266-2790" --- # Buying a Business Start with the decision in front of you: organizing the buyer, reviewing an LOI, investigating the target or preparing the purchase agreement. Then use your industry guide for licensing, transfer and other sector-specific questions. 54 industry guides - Nationwide M&A counsel - Senior counsel on every deal [Request Your Free Consultation](https://acquisitionstars.com/consultation) [Looking to sell a business? See our seller guides →](https://acquisitionstars.com/selling-a-business) ## Choose your acquisition path ### Buying your first business Understand the counsel, documents and decisions needed for a first acquisition. ### Search fund or self-funded search Connect investors, ownership, financing and the acquisition documents. ### Building an acquisition platform Plan the first buyer entity, future acquisitions and continuing governance. ### Buying with SBA financing Coordinate the purchase documents with lender requirements and closing. Need the sequence before choosing a service? Follow the [business acquisition process from search to closing](https://acquisitionstars.com/blog/business-acquisition-process), then return to the stage that matches your transaction. ## Most Common Acquisition Types ### Buying a Laundromat $200K - $1.5M - Asset Purchase Commercial lease assignment and landlord Equipment liens and UCC filings on washe Read guide → ### Buying a Franchise $100K - $5M+ - Franchise Agreement + Asset Purchase Franchise Disclosure Document Franchisor transfer approval and any con Read guide → ### Buying a Car Wash $500K - $5M - Asset Purchase (often includes real estate) Environmental compliance Real estate component Read guide → ### Buying a Commercial Cleaning Business $150K - $900K - Asset Purchase Customer contract transferability - anti Employee classification review - W-2 vs. Read guide → ### Buying a HVAC Business $300K - $2M - Asset Purchase State contractor license transferability Service agreement portfolio review - rec Read guide → ### Buying a Landscaping Business $200K - $3M - Asset Purchase Maintenance contract assignability - res Equipment and fleet transfers - mowers, Read guide → ### Buying a Plumbing Business $300K - $4M - Asset Purchase Master plumber license transfer - in mos Contractor license bonding requirements Read guide → ### Buying a Electrical Business $400K - $5M - Asset Purchase Master electrician license transfer - li Contractor license class structure - ele Read guide → ## High-Value Acquisitions ### Buying a Hotel $1M - $50M+ - Entity Purchase or Asset Purchase (often includes real estate) Hotel franchise Real estate title, survey, and any encum Read guide → ### Buying a Gas Station $500K - $5M - Asset Purchase (environmental liability is a primary concern) Environmental liability Fuel supply agreements Read guide → ### Buying a Dental Practice $300K - $3M - Asset Purchase HIPAA compliance for patient record tran Insurance credentialing timeline Read guide → ### Buying a Insurance Agency $200K - $10M+ - Asset Purchase (book of business) Carrier appointment transfers and consen Book of business ownership Read guide → ### Buying a SaaS Company $100K - $50M+ - Asset Purchase or Stock Purchase IP ownership Customer subscription agreements Read guide → ### Buying a Storage Facility $1M - $20M+ - Asset Purchase or Entity Purchase (with real estate) Real property title review and environme Tenant lease audit Read guide → ### Buying a Veterinary Practice $500K - $5M - Asset Purchase DEA registration State veterinary board licensing Read guide → ### Buying a Medical Practice $300K - $10M+ - Asset Purchase (or Management Company structure in CPOM states) Corporate Practice of Medicine DEA registration Read guide → ### Buying a Physical Therapy Practice $300K - $3M - Asset Purchase Medicare Part B enrollment CPOM considerations in states where phys Read guide → ### Buying a Urgent Care Clinic $500K - $5M - Asset Purchase (with CPOM-compliant structure in applicable states) Corporate Practice of Medicine Payer credentialing Read guide → ### Buying a Optometry Practice $300K - $2M - Asset Purchase State optometry licensing Managed care contract re-enrollment Read guide → ### Buying a Roofing Company $500K - $5M - Asset Purchase Contractor license transfer Warranty liability Read guide → ### Buying a Amazon FBA Business $100K - $5M - Asset Purchase Amazon account transfer prohibition Trademark and IP assignment Read guide → ### Buying a Funeral Home $500K - $5M - Asset Purchase (with real property component) State funeral director licensing FTC Funeral Rule compliance Read guide → ### Buying a Home Health Agency $300K - $5M - Asset Purchase (with specific Medicare certification transfer procedures) Medicare CHOW State home health agency licensure Read guide → ### Buying a Medical Spa $300K - $3M - Asset Purchase (with CPOM-compliant physician ownership structure) Physician ownership and CPOM DEA registration Read guide → ### Buying a eCommerce Business $100K - $10M - Asset Purchase Domain and trademark assignment Platform account transfer Read guide → ### Buying a Chiropractic Practice $150K - $800K - Asset Purchase Professional entity and ownership requir Insurance panel assignment Read guide → ### Buying a Mental Health Practice $200K - $1.5M - Asset Purchase Corporate practice of psychology and lic Individual therapist credentialing Read guide → ### Buying a Orthodontic Practice $400K - $3M - Asset Purchase State dental practice act requirements Active patient treatment obligations Read guide → ### Buying a Behavioral Health Practice $300K - $2M - Asset Purchase Medicaid enrollment after change of owne BCBA and RBT credentialing Read guide → ## More Industries ### Buying a Restaurant $100K - $3M - Asset Purchase Commercial lease assignment and landlord Liquor license transfer or new applicati Read guide → ### Buying a Pharmacy $300K - $5M - Asset Purchase DEA registration transfer for controlled State pharmacy board licensing and chang Read guide → ### Buying a Auto Dealership $1M - $50M+ - Asset Purchase or Entity Purchase Manufacturer Floor plan financing transfer or new flo Read guide → ### Buying a Manufacturing Business $500K - $20M+ - Asset Purchase or Stock Purchase Customer contract assignment and change- Equipment appraisals, liens, and mainten Read guide → ### Buying a E-commerce Business $50K - $10M+ - Asset Purchase Platform account transfers Intellectual property Read guide → ### Buying a Construction Company $500K - $20M+ - Asset Purchase or Stock Purchase Contractor license requirements and tran Surety bonding capacity and bonding comp Read guide → ### Buying a Accounting Firm $200K - $5M - Asset Purchase (client list) Client retention provisions Seller transition support Read guide → ### Buying a Home Services Business $200K - $5M - Asset Purchase Contractor license requirements and stat Recurring service agreement and maintena Read guide → ### Buying a Pest Control Business $300K - $5M - Asset Purchase EPA pesticide applicator licenses Chemical storage and disposal Read guide → ### Buying a Auto Repair Shop $150K - $2M - Asset Purchase Environmental liability State motor vehicle repair license Read guide → ### Buying a Liquor Store $200K - $2M - Asset Purchase Liquor license transfer License type and privileges Read guide → ### Buying a Bar Depends on verified earnings, license and lease - Asset Purchase Operating authority Interim operations Read guide → ### Buying a Motel $1M - $10M - Real Estate Purchase + Business Assets Franchise or flag agreement review PIP Read guide → ### Buying a Coffee Shop $50K - $500K - Asset Purchase Commercial lease assignment Franchise or licensed concept restrictio Read guide → ### Buying a Franchise Restaurant $200K - $3M - Asset Purchase + New Franchise Agreement Franchise Disclosure Document Franchisor transfer approval Read guide → ### Buying a Self-Storage Facility $1M - $15M - Real Estate Purchase with Business Assets State self-storage lien law Tenant lease form compliance Read guide → ### Buying a Mobile Home Park $1M - $20M+ - Real Estate Purchase with Operating Business State tenant protection laws Tenant right of first refusal Read guide → ### Buying a Daycare Center $200K - $2M - Asset Purchase State childcare licensing Staff-to-child ratios Read guide → ### Buying a Gym $100K - $2M - Asset Purchase State health club statute compliance Membership contract assignability Read guide → ### Buying a Brewery $300K - $5M - Asset Purchase TTB Brewer's Notice State manufacturer's license Read guide → ### Buying a Dry Cleaning Business $100K - $800K - Asset Purchase PCE environmental contamination Phase I and Phase II environmental asses Read guide → ### Buying a Convenience Store $150K - $3M - Asset Purchase (often includes fuel component and/or real property) Underground storage tank Fuel supply agreement Read guide → ### Buying a Staffing Agency $500K - $10M - Asset Purchase or Entity Purchase Co-employment liability Workers' compensation insurance tail Read guide → ### Buying a RV Park $500K - $10M - Real Estate Purchase with Operating Business Zoning Private water and sewer systems Read guide → ### Buying a Law Firm $200K - $5M - Book of Business Purchase / Practice Group Acquisition Rule 1.17 compliance Client consent Read guide → ## Who We Help Acquisition Stars represents buyers, sellers, and operators across a range of transaction types and industries. Explore the practice area closest to your deal. [M&A Attorney](https://acquisitionstars.com/ma-attorney)[Business Acquisition Lawyer](https://acquisitionstars.com/business-acquisition-lawyer)[Business Sale Attorney](https://acquisitionstars.com/business-sale-attorney)[Purchase Agreement Attorney](https://acquisitionstars.com/purchase-agreement-attorney)[LOI Attorney](https://acquisitionstars.com/letter-of-intent-review-attorney)[Due Diligence Attorney](https://acquisitionstars.com/due-diligence-attorney)[SBA Acquisition Attorney](https://acquisitionstars.com/sba-acquisition-attorney)[Search Fund and ETA Attorney](https://acquisitionstars.com/search-fund-eta-attorney)[Franchise Acquisition Lawyer](https://acquisitionstars.com/franchise-acquisition-lawyer)[Healthcare Acquisition Attorney](https://acquisitionstars.com/healthcare-acquisition-attorney)[Dental Practice Attorney](https://acquisitionstars.com/dental-practice-attorney)[Medical Practice Attorney](https://acquisitionstars.com/medical-practice-attorney)[Accounting Firm Acquisition Attorney](https://acquisitionstars.com/accounting-firm-acquisition-attorney) ## Don't See Your Industry? Our managing partner has M&A experience across dozens of industries. Submit your transaction details for a preliminary assessment. [Request Engagement Assessment](https://acquisitionstars.com/consultation) Selective M&A practice - Nationwide reach - Senior counsel on every deal --- Source: https://acquisitionstars.com/buying-a-business Markdown version generated for machine readers. Canonical HTML at the source URL.