So You Got an Email From Private Equity?
September 12, 2025 By Claudio Vilas (Founder – The Roofing Biz Broker, M&A Advisor)
Don’t Be Flattered. Be Carefull.
Picture this: you’re in the middle of running your roofing business (calls coming in, crews out on jobs, invoices piling up) when an email lands in your inbox.
“We’re a private equity group interested in acquiring roofing businesses in your market. Would you be open to a conversation?”
Your chest puffs a little. Finally, someone sees the value you’ve built. Maybe this is your ticket out.
Hold on. Don’t pop the champagne just yet. That email isn’t the golden ticket it looks like.
The answer: they’re fishing. And you’re the bait.
These emails are often nothing more than mass mailers. Sometimes they’re from junior analysts told to hit quota. Other times they’re from buy-side brokers (people who don’t actually buy businesses but gather leads to resell to real buyers).
Yes, private equity groups are pros. But let’s be real: half the emails with the “PE” label aren’t even from PE. They’re posers. And their job is simple: get you talking, get you comfortable, then get you to sell… cheap.
Why DIY Sellers Fall for It
Owners fall into the trap for the same reasons every time:
- Flattery: “They found me! I must be special.”
- Fear of fees: “Why should I pay a broker when I can talk directly?”
- Simplicity illusion: “It’s just one buyer. Easy deal.”
The Buyer’s Playbook
- Teams of analysts who chew through numbers for breakfast.
- Lawyers who write contracts in their sleep.
- Negotiators who know exactly how to flatter you, stall you, and squeeze you.
Who’s Really Sitting Across the Table?
- Is this a legitimate buyer with capital?
- Or a buy-side broker chasing a finder’s fee?
- Or worse, someone scraping data off a list and hoping you’ll bite?
Why Going Solo Is Dangerous
Trying to sell your business directly to a buyer is like walking into a poker game in Vegas when you’ve only ever played with your buddies in the garage.
You might win a hand or two, but in the end, the house is going to clean you out.
Even if the deal “closes,” DIY sellers usually walk away with:
- Lower valuations — often 20–30% under market.
- Ugly terms — earnouts that never pay, endless personal guarantees.
- Regret — realizing too late they were the cheapest fish in the pond.
The Slingshot Against Goliath
- Broker — Brings multiple buyers to the table, creates real competition, protects you from fishing expeditions.
- CPA — Keeps the numbers tight and ready for scrutiny.
- Sales plan — Clear objectives, action steps, targets, and timelines.
Legacy Deserves Better Than Bait
Your roofing business isn’t just shingles and trucks. It’s years of sweat, long nights, and reputation in your community.
- Broker — Brings multiple buyers to the table, creates real competition, protects you from fishing expeditions.
- CPA — Keeps the numbers tight and ready for scrutiny.
- Sales plan — Clear objectives, action steps, targets, and timelines.
Final Word
So, you got an email from “PE”? Great. That means your business has potential.
But don’t get fooled. Don’t get flattered into becoming bait.
- Don’t confuse attention with interest.
- Don’t mistake a fishing expedition for a serious buyer.
- And don’t risk your legacy by going DIY against professionals whose only job is to beat you.