Buyer due diligence for business acquisitions

This service is commonly used by buyers who are seriously considering a business purchase and want a legal review before they commit. That includes first-time buyers, existing business owners expanding by acquisition, and investors buying a small or medium-sized operating business. It is particularly useful where the target has customer contracts, supplier arrangements, staff, leased premises, intellectual property or online terms that could affect value or post-completion operations. If the deal is unusually complex, the scope may need to be adjusted to match the transaction.

The review often brings up issues such as unsigned agreements, missing assignment rights, unclear ownership of intellectual property, weak contractor or employment records, lease transfer problems, unresolved disputes, inconsistent company records or website terms that do not match the business model. Sometimes the concern is not a confirmed breach or liability, but a gap in the documents that leaves an important question unanswered. That can still matter because it may affect price, warranties, indemnities, special conditions or whether you want more disclosure before proceeding.

Useful documents often include customer and supplier contracts, lease documents, employment and contractor agreements, intellectual property records, company registers, finance documents, website terms, privacy materials, and any correspondence about disputes or complaints. A draft sale agreement, information memorandum or heads of agreement can also help frame the review. If some documents are missing, we can still assess what is available, but the report may need to note assumptions, information gaps or areas where further disclosure would be sensible before you move ahead with the purchase.

The report is usually most helpful when it is turned into a deal action list. That may involve asking follow-up questions, requesting missing documents, seeking stronger warranties or indemnities, changing special conditions, revisiting price, or deciding whether the proposed structure still makes sense. In some matters, the findings point to a preference for an asset deal rather than a share deal, or vice versa. If you want help with the next legal step, such as sale documents or negotiation support, that would be separate work beyond this review.

The timeframe usually depends on how quickly the seller provides documents, how complete those records are, and how many issues need closer attention once the review starts. A smaller transaction with organised records can move faster than a business with multiple sites, a large contract base or patchy documentation. Delays often come from incomplete disclosure rather than the review itself. If timing is commercially important, it helps to gather the main documents early and flag any known problem areas at the outset so the scope can be set properly.

As an online law firm, we eliminate the headaches of paying us by the hour and finding time to meet with a lawyer in person. We charge a fixed fee, with upfront quotes and transparent pricing, and communicate via phone, email and video chat - whichever suits you! You'll be guided through our process by our expert lawyers, who are Australian-qualified and specialise in technology, intellectual property, contract drafting, corporate and commercial law.

At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from $250 to $2,500 AUD depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

Our law firm operates completely online, which means we can help you wherever you are in Australia. We work at The Commons Central - a cool co-working space in Chippendale, Sydney - but our lawyers often work flexibly across various locations.

Our lawyers also work from co-working spaces and home offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, so clients can get help online without needing to meet in person.