What Is Your Surveillance & Access Control Business Worth?
EBITDA multiples for commercial security integrators range from 3.5x to 6x — and your recurring monthly revenue base is the single biggest driver of where you land.
Surveillance and access control integrators in the $1M–$5M revenue range typically trade at 3.5x–6x EBITDA. Buyers — from PE-backed consolidators to SBA-financed owner-operators — pay premium multiples for businesses with diversified RMR contracts, certified technician teams, and preferred dealer agreements with brands like Avigilon, Genetec, or HID. Project-heavy businesses with minimal service tails trade at the low end of the range.
Surveillance & Access Control EBITDA Multiple Ranges by Tier
| Business Tier | EBITDA Range | Multiple Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level / Project-Dependent | $300K–$500K | 3.5x–4.0x | Primarily installation revenue, limited RMR, owner-dependent customer relationships, and minimal documented SOPs. Higher execution risk for buyers. |
| Established Integrator | $500K–$800K | 4.0x–4.75x | Growing RMR base (10–20% of revenue), some service contracts, licensed technicians on staff, and moderate customer diversification across commercial verticals. |
| Strong RMR Platform | $800K–$1.2M | 4.75x–5.5x | RMR representing 20–35% of revenue, multi-year auto-renewing contracts, certified team, and preferred dealer status with top-tier brands. Minimal owner dependency. |
| Premium / Consolidation-Ready | $1.2M+ | 5.5x–6.0x | 40%+ RMR, diversified verticals including healthcare or multifamily, scalable infrastructure, clean financials, and documented processes — highly attractive to PE platforms. |
What Drives Surveillance & Access Control Multiples
Recurring Monthly Revenue (RMR)
High — up to +1.5x multiple impactRMR from monitoring and service contracts with auto-renewal clauses signals predictable cash flow. Buyers pay materially more when RMR exceeds 25–30% of total revenue.
Customer Concentration
High — up to -1.0x multiple impactAny single client exceeding 20–25% of revenue triggers buyer concern. Diversification across healthcare, retail, multifamily, and government verticals supports premium pricing.
Owner Dependency
High — up to -1.0x multiple impactFounders holding all key vendor and client relationships create transition risk. Documented SOPs and a second-in-command can significantly improve buyer confidence and valuation.
Technology Stack & Brand Partnerships
Medium — up to +0.75x multiple impactPreferred dealer status with Avigilon, Genetec, or HID and IP-based, cloud-managed platforms signal growth runway. Legacy analog or proprietary-only systems compress multiples.
Technician Licensing & Certifications
Medium — up to +0.5x multiple impactESA or NICET-certified technicians with current state licenses reduce post-close risk. Lapsed credentials or unlicensed operations are immediate deal complications in any jurisdiction.
Recent Market Trends
PE-backed consolidators are aggressively acquiring regional integrators as the market shifts to cloud-managed video and mobile access control. Businesses demonstrating SaaS-like RMR growth — particularly in healthcare and multifamily — are commanding 5.5x–6x. Rising technician wages and cybersecurity liability concerns are tempering multiples for project-only operators.
Sample Surveillance & Access Control Transactions
Southeast commercial integrator with Avigilon dealer status, 30% RMR base, diversified across healthcare and retail, 8-person certified team, minimal owner dependency
$750K
EBITDA
5.0x
Multiple
$3.75M
Price
Mid-Atlantic access control installer, primarily project revenue, two anchor clients representing 45% of billings, owner handles all client relationships, no formal service contracts
$420K
EBITDA
3.75x
Multiple
$1.575M
Price
Midwest cloud-managed video and access control platform, 38% RMR, auto-renewing contracts across multifamily and cannabis verticals, Genetec and HID partner, documented SOPs
$1.1M
EBITDA
5.75x
Multiple
$6.325M
Price
EBITDA Valuation Estimator
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Industry: Surveillance & Access Control · Multiples based on 4.0x–4.75x (Established Integrator)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What EBITDA multiple should I expect for my surveillance business?
Most commercial security integrators sell at 3.5x–6x EBITDA. Your RMR percentage, customer diversification, and owner dependency are the primary variables that determine where in that range you land.
How does recurring monthly revenue affect my business valuation?
RMR is the single most valued metric in security integrator acquisitions. Every dollar of monthly recurring revenue can command a separate valuation premium — buyers often apply a standalone RMR multiple on top of an EBITDA-based price.
Can I finance the purchase of a surveillance business with an SBA loan?
Yes. SBA 7(a) loans are widely used for security integrator acquisitions. Buyers typically inject 10–15% equity, with a seller note of 5–10% bridging the gap. Clean financials and verified RMR are essential for lender approval.
What kills value when selling a security integration company?
The biggest value killers are heavy owner dependency, low or declining RMR, customer concentration above 25%, outdated analog technology stacks, and any unlicensed operations or lapsed technician certifications surfacing in due diligence.
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