[jmcorn]

I am interested in purchasing a local (Georgia) landscaping business.It is an established business (17 years). They do have a website with their services and pictures of work that they have done. It seems that this company does have a reputation of doing quality work. But the company is not very large, but on the other hand there are lots of opportunities in this area, with lots of commercial jobs and well as high end residential.
The price is rather cheap, for the business the current owner is looking to retire, the company employs 5 with 2 of the five being long term employees. The business comes with the equipment and an 8500 sq ft fenced in complex, but is not included in the asking price. The current owner will either sell it for an extra $250,000 or lease (which the latter will probably be the way I would go at first). The current owner stated the he is willing to train the new buyer for however long it takes and to offer advice, but I do not know at what cost if any?
What is a reasonable % of the gross sales that most operators bank? This would include after labor, COG's, Leases, Insurance, and repayment of loans. I know this would be hard to say without all the figures, but any round figure on the % of take home for the operator would be a great factor in me pursing this further.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!