Business Acquisition Appraisal
Buying a business?
Understand the price and risks.
An independent written appraisal of one business your entity is considering buying. We review the financials and asking price you supply, assess realistic worth, the risks and what is actually included, and give a clear view on whether it stacks up and what you should pay.
What the appraisal covers
Four questions, answered in writing
Financials & asking price
We review the revenue, profit and supporting figures you supply against the price being asked, and state plainly what each number rests on.
Realistic worth
An assessment of what the business is realistically worth on the information provided, and how far that sits from the asking price.
Risks & what is included
What is actually being bought — assets, stock, goodwill, leases, staff, contracts — and the risks that could change the picture.
Does it stack up?
A direct view on whether the purchase stacks up and the price range we consider you should pay, with the assumptions that matter most called out.
Engage your own solicitor and accountant
We strongly recommend you engage your own solicitor and accountant to carry out independent due diligence before you commit to any purchase. Our appraisal is designed to sit alongside their work, not replace it.
Included
- One business — a single acquisition target per appraisal
- Written appraisal of worth, risks, inclusions and price
- 30-minute walkthrough of the findings with you
- Fixed analysis fee, earned whether or not you proceed with the purchase
- Turnaround confirmed in your written quote
Not included
- A registered business valuation for legal, tax or court purposes
- Legal, accounting or tax advice
- Formal due diligence
- Finding or marketing businesses, or introducing buyers and sellers
- Negotiating on your behalf, arranging transactions, or representing any party in the purchase
- Any guarantee of value, future performance or outcome
The appraisal is based on the information you supply. We do not audit or verify that information, and its conclusions are only as reliable as the figures provided.
New Zealand pricing
Priced by purchase price
Your exact scope and applicable band are confirmed in a written quote before anything is payable, including where the purchase price being considered sits near a band boundary.
| Purchase price being considered | Fee (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Under NZD $500,000 | $3,500 + GST |
| NZD $500,000 to $1,500,000 | $4,500 + GST |
| NZD $1,500,000 to $3,000,000 | $6,000 + GST |
| Above NZD $3,000,000 | Quoted on scope |
Australian and US clients
Australian appraisals are quoted in AUD on enquiry. US appraisals are quoted in USD on enquiry. Quotes are flat amounts with no GST added. Services cover New Zealand, Australia and the United States only.
How payment works
No payment at enquiry. We screen every enquiry free and reply personally within two business days — either an honest decline at no charge, or confirmed scope, a written quote and a manually issued payment link. The fee is payable upfront only once scope is agreed. Turnaround is confirmed in your quote.
New Zealand GST applies to New Zealand clients only. Services exported to non-resident clients outside New Zealand are zero-rated for NZ GST. No GST is added to Australian or US fees; the company is not registered for Australian GST.
Already had a Deal Review?
Your full paid Deal Review fee is credited once against this appraisal fee, as one subsequent engagement. The credit is not applied more than once, and no further credit is offered against later appraisals.
Your questions, answered
Business Acquisition Appraisal FAQs
What is a Business Acquisition Appraisal?
A Business Acquisition Appraisal is an independent written analysis of one business you are considering buying. We review the supplied financials and asking price, assess realistic worth, identify risks and what is included, and give our view on whether the deal stacks up and what you should pay.
What do I receive and how long does it take?
You receive a written appraisal of one business and a 30-minute walkthrough call, with turnaround confirmed in your written quote. The scope sets out the financial information, assumptions and questions to be assessed; there is no fixed five-business-day delivery promise.
What are the New Zealand fees?
New Zealand appraisal fees are NZD $3,500 + GST for a purchase price under NZD $500,000; NZD $4,500 + GST for NZD $500,000 to $1,500,000; and NZD $6,000 + GST for NZD $1,500,000 to $3,000,000. Above NZD $3,000,000 the fee is quoted on scope. The written quote confirms scope and the applicable band, including prices near a boundary.
What do Australian and US clients pay?
Australian appraisals are quoted in AUD and US appraisals are quoted in USD on enquiry, with no GST added. Services are available to commercial entities in New Zealand, Australia and the United States only; no fixed Australian or US appraisal fee is published.
Why is no GST added for Australian or US clients?
New Zealand GST applies to New Zealand clients only. Services exported to non-resident clients outside New Zealand are zero-rated for NZ GST. No GST is added to Australian or US fees; the company is not registered for Australian GST.
When do I pay, and what if you cannot help?
Screening is free and no payment is taken at enquiry. We personally reply within two business days with an honest decline at no charge or a confirmed scope and written quote; a payment link is issued manually after scope is agreed, with payment upfront before work begins.
Is the fee dependent on whether I buy the business?
The fixed fee pays for the analysis and is earned whether or not you proceed with the purchase. Our role is to provide an independent written assessment for your decision, not to bring about the purchase.
Can I use my paid Deal Review credit?
Your paid Deal Review fee credits in full once against this appraisal as one subsequent engagement. That credit can be used for a feasibility report, a Business Acquisition Appraisal or a property capital introduction fee, but only one of those engagements, never more than once; it does not apply to LIM preparation.
What is outside the appraisal scope?
The appraisal is not a registered business valuation for legal, tax or court purposes, not legal, accounting or tax advice, and not formal due diligence. It does not guarantee value, performance or outcome. It assesses the information and assumptions agreed in scope; it does not involve finding or advertising a business, connecting the parties or negotiating for you.
Why should I engage my own solicitor and accountant?
Your own solicitor and accountant should conduct independent due diligence before you commit to a purchase. Their checks complement our commercial analysis: you retain your own professional advice and make the final decision with a clearer understanding of what you are buying.
Request a quote
Tell us about the business
We’ll reply personally within two business days with a written quote or a frank answer if it isn’t a fit.
Received. We’ll read it personally.
Thank you — your enquiry has been received.
Nothing has been charged. Within two business days we will reply with either a short reason we can’t help (no charge), or confirmation that we can — with confirmed scope, a written quote and a payment link; payment is due only once scope is agreed.
Questions in the meantime: project_review@creativefinanceconsultants.com