JackQuisitions - Small Business Acquisitions in Home Service

Jack Carr
  • 5.0 (8)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Welcome to Jackquisitions — your inside look at acquiring a home service business Hosted by Jack Carr, co-host of the Owned and Operated podcast, this channel breaks down real acquisition strategies—LOIs, SBA loans, due diligence, and post-close integration—all through the lens of home service entrepreneurship. If you're looking to grow through acquisition, you're in the right place.

  1. 23H AGO

    Watch This BEFORE Your Buy/Start An Electrical Business

    Electrical is one of the best home service businesses to own in 2026 — but it’s also one of the easiest to mess up if you enter it the wrong way. In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack breaks down the real acquisition opportunity in residential electrical, and why licensing, labor, and business model clarity matter more than trucks, branding, or marketing. Jack walks through the two paths buyers consider: building from scratch or acquiring an existing electrical company. He explains why both routes often require the same upfront capital, but come with very different risks — especially if you don’t control the qualifying license. You’ll learn the biggest traps first-time buyers fall into, what a typical $2M electrical acquisition looks like, and where electrical companies actually make their money (panel upgrades, EV chargers, rewires, and service upgrades — not small service calls). If you’re thinking about buying a home service business in 2026, this is a must-listen breakdown of one of the highest-upside trades in the industry. What You’ll Learn Why electrical is essential, protected, and scalableThe biggest risk in the trade: license dependencyBuild vs buy: the true cost of entering electricalWhat a strong electrical acquisition looks like financiallyWhy “projects vs service” revenue mix changes everything💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC Need trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost? Quick Staffers LLC specializes in placing top-tier global talent with the best SOPs and scripts. 🔥 Get $1,000 off your first placement here 💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank! Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators. 👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification. Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank HERE 🔗 Connect Jack Carr – https://www.x.com/thehvacjack Send a text Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus. 🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

    19 min

  2. FEB 13 · BONUS

    Why We Quit Buying Service Vans — And You Probably Should Too

    Should Home Service Companies Stop Buying Vans? In this episode bonus feed dropped episode Owned and Operated, John Wilson is joined by Nashville operator Jack Carr to break down one of the most overlooked expenses in home services: Fleet decisions. With service vans now costing $60,000+ and fuel and repair costs climbing, John and Jack make the case for a radical shift: Ford Mavericks for service… and trailers for installs. They unpack why the Maverick may be the most capital-efficient vehicle for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical businesses, how truck stock changes operational discipline, and whether modular install trailers could replace box trucks altogether. If you’re scaling a trades business and trying to protect cash flow, this episode offers a practical framework for building a leaner, smarter fleet. Key Topics Covered: Why service vans have become a drag on the balance sheetThe real economics of Maverick vs high-roof Transit vansFuel savings, lower capital costs, and fleet scalabilityTruck stock limits in HVAC compared to plumbing and electricalThe “install trailer” system: modular packouts for equipment installs 💼 Extra Special Thanks to Service Scalers! We’ve been partnering with Service Scalers to maximize our Local Service Ads (LSAs) and optimize our Google My Business profiles, and the results have been incredible. With hundreds of thousands in sales and 900+ calls in a single week, GMBs are now our top-performing organic lead channel. Want to learn how Service Scalers can do the same for you? 🔗Check Them Out Here 💼Shoutout to Avoca AI! Looking to train your call center and improve technician performance? Avoca AI helps teams identify issues, improve call quality, and drive results from start to finish. 🔗 Schedule a demo Shout Out to FieldPulse 🚀 FieldPulse is an incredible Field Service Management platform that helps you save hours each week while keeping your operations running smoothly. If you're looking to streamline your processes, stay competitive, and focus on what truly matters, FieldPulse is a game-changer! 📅 Book your demo  Connect: John Wilson - https://x.com/WilsonCompanies Jack Carr - https://x.com/thehvacjack Send a text Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus. 🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

    28 min

  3. FEB 6

    The Best & Worst Businesses to Buy in 2026

    In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack breaks down one of the most important acquisition questions heading into 2026: What industries should you avoid… and which ones have the biggest tailwinds? Jack walks through his framework for evaluating businesses through an acquisition lens — not as a lifestyle operator, but as a buyer looking for scalable enterprise value and an eventual exit. He explains why some industries that look “hot” on paper can become absolute landmines once you layer in debt, external dependency, labor constraints, and demand volatility. From construction downturn risk… to solar’s subsidy collapse… to storm-chasing roofers getting squeezed by regulation — Jack lays out the 3 worst businesses to buy in 2026. Then, he flips the script and shares the 3 best acquisition targets heading into the new year — including recurring-service models, fear-based moats, and the most underserved trade opportunity in home services today. If you’re buying a business in 2026, this episode is a must-watch. 🔍 What You’ll Learn The acquisition lens that matters most: lifestyle vs scalable enterprise valueWhy urgency of demand is everything in home servicesThe hidden danger of external dependency when you’re carrying SBA debtWhy construction businesses can wipe buyers out during downturnsThe biggest headwinds crushing solar in 2026 (subsidies, rates, bankruptcies) 💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank! Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators. 👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification. Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here  💼 Big Reputation — Stop chasing reviews and watching competitors outrank you. Big Reputation is the AI-powered review + SEO platform built for home service pros. Automate review generation, respond with AI, track local SEO, and integrate with your CRM. Setup is free, and your first month’s on the house. 👉 Book your demo 💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC Need trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost? Quick Staffers LLC specializes in placing top-tier global talent with the best SOPs and scripts. 🔥 Get $1,000 off your first placement here  🔗 Connect Jack Carr – https://www.x.com/thehvacjack Send a text Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus. 🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

    27 min

  4. JAN 30

    The Real Way to Find Off-Market Deals (And Why Your First Deal Takes Longer)

    Most first-time buyers take more than a year to close their first acquisition—and rushing the process is how people wash out. In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack welcomes back Chris Barr for a 1-year search update and a realistic breakdown of what it takes to buy a business the right way. They discuss why “perfect deals” don’t exist, how to choose the problems you’re willing to own, and why community-based sourcing can beat cold outreach. Chris shares his hyper-local strategy in Palm Beach County through the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, and nonprofit board work, plus what he’s seeing across tree service, fencing, landscaping, and other on-market opportunities. You’ll learn: Why most deals take 12–18+ monthsHow Chris is sourcing locally (and killing deals faster)What categories are heating up in 2026Why search communities matter more than ever💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC  Need trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost? Quick Staffers LLC specializes in placing top-tier global talent with the best SOPs and scripts.  🔥 Get $1,000 off your first placement here 💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank! Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators. 👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification. Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here 💼 Extra Special Thanks to Service Scalers! We’ve been partnering with Service Scalers to maximize our Local Service Ads (LSAs) and optimize our Google My Business profiles, and the results have been incredible. With hundreds of thousands in sales and 900+ calls in a single week, GMBs are now our top-performing organic lead channel. Want to learn how Service Scalers can do the same for you? 🔗Check Them Out Here    Connect Jack Carr Send us a text Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus. 🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

    42 min

  5. JAN 23

    How SBA Rule Changes Are Reshaping Home Service Acquisitions

    In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack welcomes back Alan Peterson (First Internet Bank) to break down the SBA SOP changes that are reshaping home service acquisitions in 2026—especially for buyers navigating licensing, seller equity, and deal structure. Alan explains why the once-common “seller keeps 1–5%” strategy is fading, what’s replacing it, and why banks are forcing buyers to get serious about licensing before they ever sign an LOI. They also dig into why the buyer pool is smaller but higher-quality, what SOP updates are coming (and which ones just hit), and why electrical may be the next big home service category to scale. What You’ll Learn The biggest SBA SOP changes buyers need to understand in 2026Why “seller retains 1–5% equity” deals are becoming harder to structureHow licensing is changing deal flow in HVAC, plumbing, and electricalThe best alternative structure: key employee on the buy-side💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC  Need trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost? Quick Staffers LLC specializes in placing top-tier global talent with the best SOPs and scripts.  🔥 Get $1,000 off your first placement here 💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank! Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators. 👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification. Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here   Connect Jack Carr  Alan Peterson Send us a text Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus. 🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

    38 min

  6. JAN 16

    How Peer Groups Help Operators Survive (and Scale) After Their First Acquisition

    In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack sits down with Rand Larson, owner of Scale Path, to talk about the real reason so many operators struggle after closing their first deal: they’re doing it alone. Rand shares the origin story of Scale Path—starting as an informal peer group called Trench Therapy—and how one conversation with an overwhelmed HVAC owner (who was staring down a brutal first year post-acquisition) revealed the biggest missing piece for new leaders: a room of other owners who actually get it. They dig into what peer groups do best (practical, P&L-impacting advice) and what they’re secretly built for (that final 10%: the mental load, the isolation, and the pressure that comes with personal guarantees and leadership). Rand also breaks down the behind-the-scenes realities of building a community business: why some groups fail, why “industry fit” matters more than people think, and how trust becomes the true bottleneck as you scale. The conversation goes deep on Scale Path’s acquisition (Rand “tucking” his community into a stronger brand), what makes community businesses hard to buy and sell, and the key safeguards to avoid member churn when the face of a network changes. Plus: why the second, third, and fourth acquisition often come easier than the first—and how to position yourself so brokers take you seriously faster. If you’re navigating your first acquisition, running a home service business, or building a leadership network you can lean on—this episode will hit home. 🔍 What You’ll Learn Why new operators feel stuck after closing—and what actually fixes itThe “90/10” rule of peer groups: P&L execution vs. therapy and pressure reliefWhy most peer groups fail when they mix business models (and how to structure them correctly)What makes community businesses risky acquisitions—and how to protect retention💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank! Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators. 👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification. Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank HERE 🔗 Connect Jack Carr – https://www.x.com/thehvacjack Rand Larson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rand-larsen/  Send us a text Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus. 🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

    36 min

  7. JAN 9

    The Best $5K/Month Passive Business You Can Buy Today (Nightlife Vending)

    In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack sits down with Micah Stanley, founder of a rapidly scaling nightlife vending business that went from one college-bar machine to 100+ machines across multiple states in under two years. What started as a failed brick-and-mortar vape shop turned into a highly profitable, asset-light business model built around placing high-margin vending machines in bars, nightclubs, and casinos. Micah breaks down how he spotted the opportunity almost by accident, why nightlife vending works when traditional vending doesn’t, and how he navigated regulation, compliance, and logistics across three states. You’ll hear how Micah scaled from refilling machines himself to running partner-operated routes, why trust is the real bottleneck in this business, and how location quality matters more than almost anything else. They also dive deep into ID scanners, state laws, excise taxes, hardware mistakes, sourcing machines, and why most people overcomplicate getting started. If you’re interested in unconventional cash-flow businesses, location-based models, or scaling without employees, this episode is a must-listen. 🔍 What You’ll Learn Why nightlife vending is far more passive than traditional snack vendingHow Micah scaled from 1 machine to 100+ across 3 statesThe real reason most people don’t start vape vending (and why it’s usually wrong)How to legally sell age-restricted products using ID scannersWhy location > machine > product in vending economicsThe biggest hardware mistakes first-time operators make💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC  Need trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost? Quick Staffers LLC specializes in placing top-tier global talent with the best SOPs and scripts.  🔥 Get $1,000 off your first placement HERE 💼 Big Reputation — Stop chasing reviews and watching competitors outrank you. Big Reputation is the AI-powered review + SEO platform built for home service pros. Automate review generation, respond with AI, track local SEO, and integrate with your CRM. Setup is free, and your first month’s on the house. 👉 Book your demo 🔗 Connect Jack Carr - https://www.x.com/thehvacjack Micah Stanley -  IG: Micah.stanley youtube.com/@micahstanleyvending  Send us a text Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus. 🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

    35 min

  8. JAN 2

    From $2.5M to $7M in 12 Months: Landscaping Roll-Up + Irrigation Acquisition Lessons

    In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack sits down with Ian Smith, partner at South River Capital, to break down what it actually looks like to scale through acquisitions in home services—when the “platform” you thought you bought turns out to be pen, paper, and magnets on a board. Ian shares how his partners bought Terraform Landscaping in 2021 (~$2M revenue), then turned around and acquired an equal-sized landscaping company (Robins Landscaping)—only to learn the hard way that the owner was doing far more than anyone realized. You’ll hear what they expected going into the deal, what surprised them immediately, and how they discovered they didn’t buy the platform… they had to build it. They walk through how they approached branding and integration (why Robins became Terraform), how modernizing tools and systems can be way harder than it looks, and why “smashing companies together” breaks culture, comp, contracts, and operations faster than most buyers expect. Then the story escalates: two acquisitions in six months, going from roughly $2.5M to ~$7M in about a year—plus a third deal, Miller Irrigation, that introduced a totally different business model (high-volume, low-ticket service work). Ian explains why irrigation acquisitions may be the real growth lever going into 2026, how they kept Miller as a separate outward-facing brand, and the painful lessons they learned around AR, invoicing lag, overhead, and operational complexity. This episode is a must-listen for anyone buying in home services—especially if you’re considering partnerships, roll-ups, or “platform” strategies that look clean on paper but get messy fast. 🔍 What You’ll Learn Why the owner always does more than you think (and how that changes integration plans)What “building the platform” really means when systems aren’t actually scalableHow they handled branding + consolidation (why Robins became Terraform)Why the second deal wasn’t a tuck-in—it was an equal-sized acquisition💼 Big Reputation — Stop chasing reviews and watching competitors outrank you. Big Reputation is the AI-powered review + SEO platform built for home service pros. Automate review generation, respond with AI, track local SEO, and integrate with your CRM. Setup is free, and your first month’s on the house. 👉 Book your demo 💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC  Need trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost? Quick Staffers LLC specializes in placing top-tier global talent with the best SOPs and scripts.  🔥 Get $1,000 off your first placement here 🔗 Connect Jack Carr — https://www.x.com/thehvacjack Send us a text Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus. 🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights 📢 Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies! 📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

    46 min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to Jackquisitions — your inside look at acquiring a home service business Hosted by Jack Carr, co-host of the Owned and Operated podcast, this channel breaks down real acquisition strategies—LOIs, SBA loans, due diligence, and post-close integration—all through the lens of home service entrepreneurship. If you're looking to grow through acquisition, you're in the right place.

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