Gutter Cleaning and Guard Installation Franchise vs. Starting Your Own
What five years costs on each path, counting every cost we can source on both sides. Change the revenue to see how royalties grow with your sales.
Preview: figures awaiting verification
Some numbers on this page haven't been checked against their sources yet.
At a glance
| Franchise (3 brands) | Independent | |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise fee | $49,500 – $59,900Pending verificationSourcesThe Brothers that just do Gutters 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Window Hero 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026ABC Seamless 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued August 19, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Range across 3 franchise brands. | $0 |
| Initial investment | $145,250 – $363,744Pending verificationSourcesThe Brothers that just do Gutters 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Window Hero 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026ABC Seamless 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued August 19, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 3 brands. | $2,290 – $3,090*Pending verificationSourcesXERO Products — XERO Gutter Vac Pack(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Secretary of State — LLC forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026CSLB — List of fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Computed from 3 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded. |
| Ongoing royalties | 3% – 7% of revenuePending verificationSourcesThe Brothers that just do Gutters 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Window Hero 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026ABC Seamless 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued August 19, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 3 brands. | None |
| Operating costs (5 years) | $20,270 – $21,470Pending verificationSourcesInsureon — cleaning business insurance cost(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Jobber — pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths. | $20,270 – $21,470 |
| Brand, training, and support | Included | You build your own |
| 5-year total cost | $211,424 – $502,937 | $22,560 – $24,560* |
Franchise fee
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $49,500 – $59,900Pending verificationSourcesThe Brothers that just do Gutters 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Window Hero 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026ABC Seamless 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued August 19, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Range across 3 franchise brands.
- Independent
- $0
Initial investment
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $145,250 – $363,744Pending verificationSourcesThe Brothers that just do Gutters 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Window Hero 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026ABC Seamless 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued August 19, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 3 brands.
- Independent
- $2,290 – $3,090*Pending verificationSourcesXERO Products — XERO Gutter Vac Pack(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Secretary of State — LLC forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026CSLB — List of fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Computed from 3 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded.
Ongoing royalties
- Franchise (3 brands)
- 3% – 7% of revenuePending verificationSourcesThe Brothers that just do Gutters 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Window Hero 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026ABC Seamless 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued August 19, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 3 brands.
- Independent
- None
Operating costs (5 years)
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $20,270 – $21,470Pending verificationSourcesInsureon — cleaning business insurance cost(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Jobber — pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths.
- Independent
- $20,270 – $21,470
Brand, training, and support
- Franchise (3 brands)
- Included
- Independent
- You build your own
5-year total cost
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $211,424 – $502,937
- Independent
- $22,560 – $24,560*
5-year totals assume $84,760–$181,740 in yearly revenue (our forecast presets at full volume), the same sourced operating costs (insurance, software, fees) on both paths, and both the lean and professional independent plans. Franchise investment figures come from each brand's disclosure (FDD Item 7) and already include the franchise fee. * Excludes independent startup lines we haven't sourced yet.
What franchisees report taking in
From each brand's own disclosure (FDD Item 19), copied exactly. These are gross sales before royalties and costs, not profit, and not a promise of what you will earn.
The Brothers that just do Gutters
Item 19 reports gross sales and selected expenses for operational franchise outlets for 2023–2025, plus one company-owned outlet; the figures below are gross sales before most expenses, not profit.
- Average gross sales, 2025, 71 operational franchise outlets (1 to 12 territories each)$1,147,556 a yearPending verificationSourceThe Brothers that just do Gutters 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Gross sales, not profit. 20 of 91 operational outlets were excluded (no reliable records or closed part of the year). 27 outlets (38%) were above the average. Most outlets in this group run several territories. Your results may differ.
- Median gross sales, 2025, same 71 operational franchise outlets$1,001,899 a yearPending verificationSourceThe Brothers that just do Gutters 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Gross sales, not profit. Your results may differ.
- Average gross sales, 2025, 5 single-territory franchise outlets$1,157,269 a yearPending verificationSourceThe Brothers that just do Gutters 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Gross sales, not profit. Only five outlets; 2 of 5 were above the average. Your results may differ.
- Median gross sales, 2025, same 5 single-territory franchise outlets$1,089,870 a yearPending verificationSourceThe Brothers that just do Gutters 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Gross sales, not profit. Your results may differ.
Window Hero
Item 19 reports 2025 accepted contracts, proposal conversion, and revenue and profit-and-loss figures for franchisees open all of 2025; revenue covers all Window Hero services, mostly window cleaning, not gutters alone.
- Average revenue, 2025, 11 franchise locations (30 territories) open all 12 months that submitted P&L reports$824,105 a yearPending verificationSourceWindow Hero 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Revenue before expenses, not profit, from unaudited franchisee P&Ls. 19 locations were left out (no P&L, transferred, opened in 2025 or terminated). All services, not just gutters. Your results may differ.
- Median revenue, 2025, same 11 franchise locations$543,810 a yearPending verificationSourceWindow Hero 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Revenue, not profit. The lowest location reported $145,035. Your results may differ.
ABC Seamless
Item 19 lists each franchise's 2025 gross receipts (siding, gutters and related work) one by one, from $0 to $7,223,448.51, and the combined total of four company-owned outlets; it gives no average or median.
What a franchise does give you
Franchises cost more, but the fees buy real things. Weigh them honestly.
- Brand recognition customers may already know
- Initial training before you open
- A call center or booking system that handles incoming leads
- Established pricing, operating systems and software
- A network of other owners to learn from
Going independent means
- You keep 100% of what you earn after costs — no royalties.
- You build your own brand, systems, and customer base.
- You need more self-reliance, especially in the first year.
Brand by brand
| Option | Initial investment | Royalties | Marketing fund | Fixed fees | Operating costs | 5-year total | vs. independent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Brothers that just do Gutters | $145,250 – $285,000 | $25,428 – $54,522 | $8,476 – $18,174 | $12,000 | $20,270 – $21,470 | $211,424 – $391,166 | +$188,864 – $367,406 |
| Window Hero | $206,244 – $363,744 | $29,666 – $63,609 | $8,476 – $18,174 | $35,940 | $20,270 – $21,470 | $300,596 – $502,937 | +$278,036 – $479,177 |
| ABC Seamless | $187,701 – $331,581 | $12,714 – $27,261 | $4,238 – $9,087 | $0 | $20,270 – $21,470 | $224,923 – $389,399 | +$202,363 – $365,639 |
| Independent (lean start) | $2,290* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $20,270 – $21,470 | $22,560 – $23,760 | — |
Low figures pair the low end of each cost with low revenue; high figures pair the high ends. Franchise initial investment is each brand's FDD Item 7 estimate and already includes the franchise fee. Marketing fund and fixed fees show $0 where we have no sourced figure for that brand.
* Excludes independent startup lines we haven't sourced yet.
Costs are only half the picture
A franchise's brand, training, and support can help some owners reach customers faster. Weigh what those are worth to you against the difference above.
Back to the Gutter Cleaning and Guard Installation guide · Sources for these figures