Father-and-Son Dealmakers: How the Langes Build Value by Brokering HVAC Sales

Most dealmakers operate as lone wolves, working solo deals worth hundreds of thousands or millions. Patrick and Josh Lange take a different approach. This father-son team at Business Modification Group just closed another HVAC company sale in Dallas, adding to their growing track record of moving significant money in the commercial services sector. While other brokers compete for attention, the Langes have something most can’t replicate: a two-generation partnership that buyers and sellers trust.

They’ve cracked a simple wealth-building formula. Selling established companies, rather than simply running them forever, represents one of the most reliable paths to serious money. Experienced business brokers report that sellers who work with seasoned advisors achieve prices 40% higher than typical industry standards.

The Exit Advantage

Building wealth through business ownership traditionally meant holding assets for decades. The Langes represent a different philosophy: know when to sell, how to sell and who to sell to. Their recent Dallas HVAC deal shows this approach in action. The company they brokered had operated for over 24 years, long enough to establish the fundamentals that make buyers write big cheques.

‘This company had all the ingredients buyers are looking for—long-term, well-trained staff, long-term customers and a central location,’ said Patrick Lange. The deal attracted significant buyer interest from across the region, proof that the right assets positioned correctly create competitive bidding situations.

The broader market supports this approach. HVAC services M&A volume increased 6.9% year-over-year in 2024, with private deals growing 32.5%. The sector’s $30.4 billion market size and projected 7.4% annual growth through 2030 means established players command premium prices when they’re ready to exit.

Family as Competitive Advantage

The father-son dynamic shapes how the Langes approach deals in ways that single operators can’t match. Each generation brings different skills and perspectives that create value for clients and competitive advantages in negotiations.

‘Working with my father on these transactions is incredible. We bring a multi-generational approach to helping business owners exit on their terms,’ said Josh Lange. Family businesses represent close to 50% of GDP and employment, but succession planning remains complex. Teams like the Langes understand these dynamics because they live them.

Only 40% of family businesses survive to the second generation, and just 13% make it to the third. The Langes’ success comes from understanding both sides of these transitions—they know what buyers want and they understand the emotional complexity sellers face when exiting businesses they’ve built over decades.

What Makes a Premium Sale

The Dallas HVAC deal reveals what makes companies attractive to serious buyers. Key attractive attributes include experienced staff, stable customer relationships, strong community reputation and location. The company the Langes sold checked every box.

Long-term staff matter because HVAC companies with technicians who have been with the business for over three years receive higher valuation multiples. These employees reduce buyer risk during ownership transitions and provide operational continuity that justifies premium pricing.

The customer base tells the real story. Twenty-four years in business means relationships that survive economic cycles, price increases and competitive pressure. Buyers pay more for predictable revenue streams, and established HVAC companies often maintain recurring maintenance contracts that provide exactly that predictability.

Location amplifies everything else. Dallas represents a growing commercial market with strong fundamentals. The company’s central location meant buyers across the region competed for the asset, driving up the final price through competitive tension.

The Brokerage Playbook

The Langes’ approach to preparing companies for sale follows proven wealth-building principles. Effective exit planning starts two to three years before a planned sale, focusing on strengthening financials, building management depth and optimising operations for new ownership.

Their process begins with honest valuation discussions. Many business owners overestimate what their companies are worth, while others undervalue assets they’ve built over decades. The Langes use their industry knowledge to price deals that attract serious buyers while maximising seller returns.

Buyer matching represents where family teams excel. Patrick’s decades of experience combined with Josh’s fresh perspective means they understand what different buyer types want. Private equity firms look for different attributes than acquirers. Family buyers have different concerns than corporate purchasers. The Langes position deals to attract the right buyer types for each situation.

Confidentiality throughout the process protects both parties. Business brokers with industry expertise maintain discretion to prevent staff and customer concerns that could damage deal value.

Beyond the Transaction

The Langes’ track record shows that wealth building through business sales requires more than just facilitating transactions. It demands deep industry knowledge, relationship focus and understanding of what makes companies valuable to buyers. Their multi-generational approach provides credibility that single operators struggle to match.

Business Modification Group’s success with HVAC sales reflects how smart money approaches wealth building. Rather than holding assets indefinitely, experienced operators understand timing, positioning and exit approaches that maximise returns. The Langes have built their reputation on helping business owners realise the full value of what they’ve created, then moving on to their next opportunities with serious money in hand.