Window Tinting
A $200 roll of film becomes a $1,500 job. Do that 5x a day.
Bottom line
Strong cash-flow candidate with manageable operations.
Window tinting businesses apply professional film to automotive, residential, and commercial windows for privacy, UV protection, heat reduction, and security. The gross margin is absurdly high: film costs $20–$80 per car, and labor + materials bill out at $200–$800 per vehicle. Residential and commercial tinting (offices, storefronts, homes) commands $1,500–$8,000 per job with similar margin structures. A single technician can generate $250K–$500K/year.
Avg Revenue
$300K
Profit Margin
45%
Acquisition Multiple
1.75x - 3x
Startup Cost
$5K - $25K
How It Works
Operators apply professional-grade window film using heat guns, squeegees, and precision cutting tools. Automotive tinting ($200–$800/car) is the entry point; residential and commercial jobs ($1,500–$8,000) are where real revenue lives. A solo operator in a small shop can complete 3–6 vehicles per day. Commercial clients (office buildings, storefronts, hospitals) provide large one-time jobs and referral pipelines.
Revenue Range
BizBite underwriting snapshot
Watch / verify
Window Tinting has enough high-level data for a first look, but BizBite has not assigned a category-specific operating model yet. Treat the score as preliminary.
Category-level fit before lender-specific diligence.
Weak source data caps the final score.
Why it may work
- +Attractive 45% estimated margin profile
- +SBA dataset shows 15 recent comparable loans
Be careful
- !Source link status has not been verified yet
- !No last-checked date yet
- !No category operating model yet
- !No category model yet
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 811122 · Automotive Glass Replacement Shops
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | CA | $68K | $79K |
| Mar 2026 | AZ | $586K | $689K |
| Dec 2025 | CA | $10K | $12K |
| Dec 2025 | CA | $100K | $118K |
| Sep 2025 | CA | $253K | $298K |
| Jul 2025 | AL | $1.3M | $1.5M |
| May 2025 | FL | $975K | $1.1M |
| Apr 2025 | CA | $1.0M | $1.2M |
| Jan 2025 | CO | $501K | $589K |
| Dec 2024 | UT | $738K | $868K |
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
- +70–85% gross margin — film cost is minimal, all value is in labor and expertise
- +Residential and commercial jobs scale revenue dramatically per job
- +Low overhead: small shop, minimal inventory, no complex machinery
- +Repeat customers and referrals: once people tint, they tint every car they own
Cons
- -Skill-dependent: bad installs have visible bubbles, creases, and peeling — reputation at stake
- -Automotive side is competitive in urban markets; commercial side has less competition
- -Weather sensitivity for automotive work (humidity affects adhesion)
Best For
Detail-oriented operators who want a high-margin service business with low startup costs and clear upsell path from auto to commercial
Operating Costs
Primary costs: film inventory ($10K–$20K/year), shop rent ($500–$2K/month), tools (one-time $1K–$3K), and optional software for job management. Gross margins of 70–85% leave ample room for growth.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
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.
Where to Buy
Find established window tinting shops with existing customer bases for acquisition
Industry association with member directory, training resources, and dealer network
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $525K–$900K
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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