Joe Lewin·Founder & M&A Adviser, DealFlowAgent·Updated
Plan your electronic security business's next chapter. Exit on your own terms.
Quick answer
UK electronic security businesses typically sell for 3.5x to 6x EBITDA below £1M of earnings, 5x to 8.5x between £1M and £5M, and 7.5x to 12x above that. The single biggest factor moving a business within its band is recurring monitoring and maintenance revenue: a contracted, transferable RMR book priced separately from install work is worth more than a turn of EBITDA.
Electronic security business EBITDA multiples in 2026
Banded by defended EBITDA. The lower bound describes an unprepared business sold without competition; the upper bound a prepared business taken to market properly.
| Defended EBITDA | Indicative revenue | Realistic range | Who buys at this size |
|---|---|---|---|
| £250K-£500K | ~£1.5M-£4M | 3.5x-5.0x; strong monitored books reach 5.5x | Trade buyers, first consolidator bolt-ons |
| £500K-£1M | ~£3M-£7M | 4.5x-6.0x; 40%+ recurring books reach 7x | The core bolt-on range: consolidators bought here repeatedly through 2025-2026 |
| £1M-£2M | ~£5M-£13M | 5.0x-7.0x | PE bolt-ons, platform seed deals, strategics |
| £2M-£3M | ~£10M-£20M | 5.5x-7.5x | Platform bolt-ons, PE platform entries |
| £3M-£5M | ~£15M-£30M | 6.5x-8.5x | PE platforms, strategics, US and European buyers |
| £5M-£10M | ~£25M-£60M | 7.5x-10.0x | Large PE, listed groups, infrastructure-style capital for monitored books |
| £10M+ | £50M+ | 9x-12x+, structure-dependent | Institutional buyers, listed groups |
Owner-operated businesses below £250K of earnings are priced on SDE, typically 2.0x-3.5x. Ranges are the DealFlowAgent tier view, calibrated against verified 2025-2026 transactions.
Read the full UK security systems valuation multiples guide
You've built a respected electronic security business, securing properties and providing peace of mind to your clients. Now, as you consider your own future, you deserve to understand the true value of your recurring revenue and the strategic options available to you in a consolidating market.
A leading specialist in niche building services, with dedicated M&A advisory and brokerage coverage for electronic security businesses. Our trusted advisors leverage industry knowledge, buyer relationships and proprietary technology to help business owners secure multiple acquisition offers at higher valuations. Confidential. Trusted exit process.
Some of the Serial Acquirers in the Electronic Security Systems Space
These are a handful of the PE-backed platforms, national groups, and corporate acquirers currently buying in this sector across the UK and US.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
ASSA ABLOY
Securitas
APi Group
Kerv (LDC)
WCCTV (Arcus Infrastructure Partners)🇺🇸 United States
Allied Universal (Warburg Pincus)Pye-Barker Fire & Safety (Altas)
Security 101 (Morgan Stanley)
Cook & Boardman Group (Littlejohn)ADT Commercial+ 13,000 more registered acquirers with defined search criteria
What Every Owner Needs to Know
You have probably been approached. PE-backed platforms, national groups, trade buyers looking to add your contracts. But most owners have no idea who is genuinely buying, who has the capital to close, and who will waste months of your time.
Without competing offers, there is no leverage. The buyer sets the pace, anchors low, and waits.
"How will a buyer value my recurring revenue from maintenance and monitoring contracts?"
Your recurring monthly revenue (RMR) from maintenance and monitoring contracts is the most valuable asset. Acquirers will typically apply a multiple of 30-40x to your RMR, so ensuring your contracts are well-documented and transferable is critical.
"What will happen to my loyal team of security engineers and installation technicians after the sale?"
Acquirers are keen to retain skilled technical staff. Your experienced security engineers are a key asset, and buyers will typically offer them competitive employment packages.
"How does the industry's shift towards cloud-based systems and AI analytics affect my company's valuation?"
The transition to cloud-based access control and AI-powered video analytics is a major market shift. Buyers are actively seeking companies that have embraced these new technologies.
Exits Advised by DealFlowAgent and Our Partner Advisors
Integrated Fire & Security
£28M integrated fire and security group (alarms, CCTV, access control, monitoring) acquired by a listed UK facilities and compliance group.
Integrated Security Systems
$42M integrated security systems platform sold to a major US strategic acquirer.
Intruder & Fire Systems
Installer of intruder and fire alarm systems with a strong residential and commercial customer base acquired by a larger regional player.
What Our Clients Say
Saim, Founder of a Lancashire, UK-based online pharmacy. Together with the USA-based strategic acquirer, revenue has grown >10x since the acquisition. 4 competing offers. 9 weeks to close.
"8 buyers got in touch with the help of their tech. We ended up completing the sale in 32 days to a serial acquirer."
"I could not have asked for better support. They found the perfect buyer and secured terms that exceeded my expectations."
"The team guided me through every step. I felt completely supported from first call to completion. I then referred my friend Jennifer, who also sold her company with them."
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