How much does a Mobile Hydraulic Hose Repair cost to buy?

A typical Mobile Hydraulic Hose Repair sells for 2.5x to 5x seller's discretionary earnings. With estimated SDE of $90K, expect to pay roughly $225K to $450K before adjustments for assets, debt, growth, and local market quality.

How much does it cost to start a Mobile Hydraulic Hose Repair?

Startup costs range from $35K to $120K depending on location, equipment, and scale.

Service

Mobile Hydraulic Hose Repair

Q: What are the profit margins for a Mobile Hydraulic Hose Repair?

The average profit margin for a Mobile Hydraulic Hose Repair is around 30%. Primary costs: service van purchase and outfitting ($40K–$80K one-time), bulk hose and fitting inventory ($15K–$30K initial stocking), hose crimper and cutting tools ($5K–$15K), fuel, insurance (commercial vehicle + general liability), and ongoing inventory replenishment. Net margins of 25–35% are achievable; a well-run single-tech operation nets $60K–$150K/year on $200K–$500K in revenue.

When a construction machine blows a hose, every minute costs hundreds — you're the only call that matters

Bottom line

Worth studying, but do not buy without strong local proof.

Mobile hydraulic hose repair businesses dispatch service vehicles directly to construction sites, farms, mines, and industrial facilities to fabricate and replace blown hydraulic hoses on-site. When heavy equipment loses a hydraulic hose, it is completely inoperable — a $500,000 excavator sitting dead costs a contractor $1,000–$5,000/hour in lost productivity. The mobile repair tech arrives within 1–4 hours, fabricates a custom replacement hose on-site from bulk hose stock and fittings, and gets the machine running. Customers pay $200–$800+ per service call for what is often a 45-minute job. Gross margins of 70–80% are typical because materials (hose and fittings) cost $30–$120 while the repair bills $300–$800. A single-technician operation can generate $200K–$600K/year; franchise operators (PIRTEK) run $1M+ territories.

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Acquisition score

Strong

Avg Revenue

$300K

Profit Margin

30%

Acquisition Multiple

2.5x - 5x

Startup Cost

$35K - $120K

How It Works

The operator builds a mobile service van stocked with a hose-cutting machine, crimper, bulk hydraulic hose in multiple diameters (SAE R1–R17), and hundreds of fittings and adapters. When a site calls in a blown hose, the tech drives to the site, measures the failed hose, cuts and crimps a replacement hose on the van, and installs it. The whole job typically takes 30–90 minutes. Revenue comes from parts markup (50–300% on hose and fittings) plus a service/labor charge. Recurring clients include construction companies, farms, municipalities, waste haulers, and industrial plants. Emergency calls (nights, weekends) command premium rates. A strong book of contract accounts with local contractors creates predictable monthly revenue alongside emergency calls.

Revenue Range

Low End

$120K

Typical

$300K

High End

$800K

Real Acquisitions in This Category

SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 811310 · Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance

Deals tracked

142

59 in last 24 mo

Median loan

$779K

$250K–$1.6M p25/p75

Implied deal size

$916K

median · ~85% LTV

Charge-off rate

—

not enough resolved loans

Deal Size Distribution

<$150K

$150K–500K

$500K–1M

$1M–2M

>$2M

Deal Flow Over Time

12-month momentum

-31.4%

deal volume vs prior 12 mo

Median loan Δ

+64.4%

24 recent · 35 prior

Financing Profile

Median rate

9.50%

22% fixed · last 24 mo

Median term

120 mo

standard 10-yr

Collateralized

of loans secured

Median jobs

supported per deal

Top lenders in this space

Live Oak Banking Company18

The Huntington National Bank15

First Internet Bank of Indiana5

First National Bank of Pennsylvania5

Beacon Bank and Trust5

Where deals happen

TX20

CA13

PA8

CO8

FL7

MI7

IL6

OH6

OR5

MO5

Recent Comparable Deals

Closed	State	Loan	Implied deal	Jobs	Franchise
Mar 2026	NY	$3.3M	$3.8M	15	—
Mar 2026	FL	$2.8M	$3.2M	25	—
Feb 2026	WA	$900K	$1.1M	12	—
Feb 2026	AZ	$1.4M	$1.7M	2	—
Feb 2026	TX	$1.2M	$1.4M	7	—
Feb 2026	TX	$250K	$294K	7	—
Jan 2026	TX	$200K	$235K	1	—
Jan 2026	NY	$500K	$588K	6	—
Jan 2026	TX	$1.3M	$1.5M	1	—
Jan 2026	MD	$965K	$1.1M	20	—

Volume rank #54/544Deal-size rank #229/544Momentum rank #275p90 loan: $2.4MData as of Mar 2026

Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.

Pros

+Emergency pricing power: customers cannot wait — there is no negotiation when a $1M paving machine is down. Premium pricing is the norm, not the exception
+70–80% gross margins on parts + service — one of the highest material markup businesses in the trades
+Critical need, low competition: most markets have only 1–3 mobile hose operators for an entire metro area. New entrants can carve out territory quickly
+Recession-resistant: infrastructure and construction continue through downturns; heavy equipment breaks regardless of the economy

Cons

-Technical learning curve: knowing which fittings, hose types, and pressure ratings to spec requires training — mistakes can be dangerous
-On-call demands: the business runs on emergency calls, which means nights, weekends, and rapid dispatch are part of the model
-Parts inventory complexity: stocking hundreds of fittings and hose types requires significant initial investment and careful inventory management
-Geographic limitation: a single-van operator covers a 30–60 mile radius — revenue scales only by adding vans and technicians

Best For

Mechanically inclined entrepreneurs or ex-equipment operators looking for a high-margin, low-competition trade service; also a strong franchise acquisition (PIRTEK territories) for buyers who want a proven system with an established customer base

Operating Costs

Primary costs: service van purchase and outfitting ($40K–$80K one-time), bulk hose and fitting inventory ($15K–$30K initial stocking), hose crimper and cutting tools ($5K–$15K), fuel, insurance (commercial vehicle + general liability), and ongoing inventory replenishment. Net margins of 25–35% are achievable; a well-run single-tech operation nets $60K–$150K/year on $200K–$500K in revenue.

SBA Financing Estimator

Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service

$-2619/mo

after debt service

Deal price — $920K

Range: $600K (2.5×) to $1.8M (5×+)

Down payment — 15% ($138K)

SBA minimum equity injection is 10% for change-of-ownership

Interest rate — 9.50%

SBA median for this category: 9.5%

Loan term — 10 years (120 mo)

SBA median for this category: 120 months

Down payment

$138K

15% equity injection

Loan amount

$782K

85% SBA-financed

Monthly payment

$10K/mo

$432K total interest

Monthly profit

$8K/mo

at 30% margin

Monthly cash flow after debt service

$-2619/mo

Margin does not cover debt service at these terms. Lower the deal price, increase the down payment, or extend the loan term.

Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.