Why do some services charge a percentage?

A percentage fee is a way of charging for a service. It does not tell you whether that service is necessary or worth its price.

First, ask who pays

A buyer-paid referral reward and an owner-paid preparation fee are different arrangements. In a buyer-paid referral arrangement, the buyer pays the introducer under its terms. A preparation service may instead charge you for agreed work. Some arrangements may involve more than one source of compensation.

Ask for the full explanation: who receives each payment, who pays it and whether any amount comes out of the money offered to your business. Do not assume every intermediary has the same fee model.

Compare what you keep

For a simple illustration, a 20% service fee on a $100,000 payment is $20,000, leaving $80,000 before other costs and taxes. Ask what work justifies that deduction and whether the buyer already includes it. These are hypothetical amounts, not an offer.

Compare equivalent records and rights. Also consider payment timing, your own preparation work, restrictions and any continuing obligations.

Our recommendation

Monday Town’s guidance is free, and the buyer pays us separately. Before paying any other service, understand the work, the fee basis and the costs you will keep. Extensive preparation may justify a separate specialist scope; an introduction alone is a different service.

Before agreeing, ask what the percentage applies to, when it is due, whether it applies to future payments and what happens if no deal closes. Use the actual written terms to compare the total cost.