In the UK, the generally accepted retainer for a business broker is modest and varies by deal size. For small to medium businesses, it is commonly between £2,000 and £10,000, often credited against the success fee. Many brokers may also offer low or no retainer arrangements, with the majority of their fee payable only upon a successful sale.

In the UK, business brokers typically ask for a retainer of £1,500–£5,000 before a sale agreement is reached, depending on the size and complexity of the business. Paying it can feel nerve-wracking, because it’s money upfront with no guarantee of a sale, but it also shows the broker you’re serious and usually secures their commitment and time giving you some peace of mind that you’ve got a professional in your corner guiding the process.

In the UK, many business brokers working with smaller, Main Street-style sales either don’t charge a retainer at all or ask for a modest upfront fee from a few hundred up to around £5,000–£10,000 to cover initial valuation and marketing costs. Larger, more complex deals may see higher retainers, but for typical small businesses the upfront amount tends to be relatively low and often credited against the success fee.