Residential Cleaning 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 (4 brands) | Independent | |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise fee | $14,900 – $60,000Pending verificationSourcesMolly Maid 2026 FDD (issued April 1, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026The Maids 2026 FDD (issued January 18, 2026, amended May 12, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Merry Maids 2026 FDD (issued May 21, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026MaidPro 2026 FDD (issued April 10, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Range across 4 franchise brands. | $0 |
| Initial investment | $109,860 – $203,950Pending verificationSourcesMolly Maid 2026 FDD (issued April 1, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026The Maids 2026 FDD (issued January 18, 2026, amended May 12, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Merry Maids 2026 FDD (issued May 21, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026MaidPro 2026 FDD (issued April 10, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 4 brands. | $740 – $4,294*Pending verificationSourcesConnecteam — how to start a small cleaning business(opens in a new tab)Tier 3 · Guide or blog · Accessed October 30, 2026California Secretary of State — LLC forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Insureon — house cleaning business insurance cost (updated September 1, 2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Computed from 5 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 verificationSourcesMolly Maid 2026 FDD (issued April 1, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026The Maids 2026 FDD (issued January 18, 2026, amended May 12, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Merry Maids 2026 FDD (issued May 21, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026MaidPro 2026 FDD (issued April 10, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 4 brands. | None |
| Operating costs (5 years) | $21,430 – $22,630Pending verificationSourcesInsureon — house cleaning business insurance cost (updated September 1, 2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Jobber — pricing page(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths. | $21,430 – $22,630 |
| Brand, training, and support | Included | You build your own |
| 5-year total cost | $161,658 – $294,693 | $22,170 – $26,924* |
Franchise fee
- Franchise (4 brands)
- $14,900 – $60,000Pending verificationSourcesMolly Maid 2026 FDD (issued April 1, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026The Maids 2026 FDD (issued January 18, 2026, amended May 12, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Merry Maids 2026 FDD (issued May 21, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026MaidPro 2026 FDD (issued April 10, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Range across 4 franchise brands.
- Independent
- $0
Initial investment
- Franchise (4 brands)
- $109,860 – $203,950Pending verificationSourcesMolly Maid 2026 FDD (issued April 1, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026The Maids 2026 FDD (issued January 18, 2026, amended May 12, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Merry Maids 2026 FDD (issued May 21, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026MaidPro 2026 FDD (issued April 10, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 4 brands.
- Independent
- $740 – $4,294*Pending verificationSourcesConnecteam — how to start a small cleaning business(opens in a new tab)Tier 3 · Guide or blog · Accessed October 30, 2026California Secretary of State — LLC forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Insureon — house cleaning business insurance cost (updated September 1, 2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Computed from 5 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded.
Ongoing royalties
- Franchise (4 brands)
- 3% – 7% of revenuePending verificationSourcesMolly Maid 2026 FDD (issued April 1, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026The Maids 2026 FDD (issued January 18, 2026, amended May 12, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Merry Maids 2026 FDD (issued May 21, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026MaidPro 2026 FDD (issued April 10, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 4 brands.
- Independent
- None
Operating costs (5 years)
- Franchise (4 brands)
- $21,430 – $22,630Pending verificationSourcesInsureon — house cleaning business insurance cost (updated September 1, 2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Jobber — pricing page(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths.
- Independent
- $21,430 – $22,630
Brand, training, and support
- Franchise (4 brands)
- Included
- Independent
- You build your own
5-year total cost
- Franchise (4 brands)
- $161,658 – $294,693
- Independent
- $22,170 – $26,924*
5-year totals assume $75,920–$138,320 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.
Molly Maid
The 2026 FDD reports 2025 gross sales per target household in each owner's territory, not total sales per business, for 188 franchise owners (402 franchised businesses) open all of 2025.
- Average 2025 gross sales per target household, 188 franchise owners open all of 2025$21.65 a yearPending verificationSourceMolly Maid 2026 FDD (issued April 1, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Parts II and III. Gross sales, not profit. A target household is a household counted in the owner's territory. Leaves out 6 businesses that opened, 22 that changed owners, 2 with unreliable data and 21 that closed in 2025. 72 of 188 owners (39%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross sales per target household, same 188 owners$18.77 a yearPending verificationSourceMolly Maid 2026 FDD (issued April 1, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Parts II and III. Gross sales, not profit. A target household is a household counted in the owner's territory. Leaves out 6 businesses that opened, 22 that changed owners, 2 with unreliable data and 21 that closed in 2025. 72 of 188 owners (39%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Average share of 2025 cleanings done for recurring customers, same 188 owners90%Pending verificationSourceMolly Maid 2026 FDD (issued April 1, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Parts II and III. Gross sales, not profit. A target household is a household counted in the owner's territory. Leaves out 6 businesses that opened, 22 that changed owners, 2 with unreliable data and 21 that closed in 2025. 72 of 188 owners (39%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
The Maids
The 2026 FDD reports revenue from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 for 97 franchised outlets (338 territories), per outlet and per territory, plus results for company-owned offices.
- Average revenue per franchised outlet, Oct 2024–Sep 2025, 97 reporting outlets$1,184,666.90 a yearPending verificationSourceThe Maids 2026 FDD (issued January 18, 2026, amended May 12, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Table II. Revenue, not profit. Includes 11 outlets that closed during the period and leaves out 9 that opened during it. Many outlets run several territories. 31 of 97 outlets (32%) met or beat the average. Your results may differ.
- Median revenue per franchised outlet, same 97 outlets$764,050.98 a yearPending verificationSourceThe Maids 2026 FDD (issued January 18, 2026, amended May 12, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Table II. Revenue, not profit. Includes 11 outlets that closed during the period and leaves out 9 that opened during it. Many outlets run several territories. 31 of 97 outlets (32%) met or beat the average. Your results may differ.
- Average revenue per territory, Oct 2024–Sep 2025, 338 territories$386,244.05 a yearPending verificationSourceThe Maids 2026 FDD (issued January 18, 2026, amended May 12, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Table II. Revenue, not profit. Includes 11 outlets that closed during the period and leaves out 9 that opened during it. Many outlets run several territories. 31 of 97 outlets (32%) met or beat the average. Your results may differ.
- Median revenue per territory, same 338 territories$305,937.75 a yearPending verificationSourceThe Maids 2026 FDD (issued January 18, 2026, amended May 12, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Table II. Revenue, not profit. Includes 11 outlets that closed during the period and leaves out 9 that opened during it. Many outlets run several territories. 31 of 97 outlets (32%) met or beat the average. Your results may differ.
Merry Maids
The 2026 FDD reports 2025 gross sales for 414 Qualified Franchises (the territory type sold today) and for franchise ownership groups; it leaves out 103 businesses that closed during 2025.
- Average 2025 gross sales, 414 Qualified Franchises open all of 2025$439,243 a yearPending verificationSourceMerry Maids 2026 FDD (issued May 21, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Table 1. Gross sales (all billings, before expenses), not profit. Leaves out 28 businesses not open all year, 12 that changed owners, 230 older Legacy Franchises and 103 that closed in 2025. 152 of 414 (36.7%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross sales, same 414 franchises$339,352 a yearPending verificationSourceMerry Maids 2026 FDD (issued May 21, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Table 1. Gross sales (all billings, before expenses), not profit. Leaves out 28 businesses not open all year, 12 that changed owners, 230 older Legacy Franchises and 103 that closed in 2025. 152 of 414 (36.7%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Average 2025 gross sales, top quarter (104 franchises)$914,092 a yearPending verificationSourceMerry Maids 2026 FDD (issued May 21, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Table 1. Gross sales (all billings, before expenses), not profit. Leaves out 28 businesses not open all year, 12 that changed owners, 230 older Legacy Franchises and 103 that closed in 2025. 152 of 414 (36.7%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Average 2025 gross sales, bottom quarter (104 franchises)$130,847 a yearPending verificationSourceMerry Maids 2026 FDD (issued May 21, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Table 1. Gross sales (all billings, before expenses), not profit. Leaves out 28 businesses not open all year, 12 that changed owners, 230 older Legacy Franchises and 103 that closed in 2025. 152 of 414 (36.7%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
MaidPro
The 2026 FDD reports 2025 gross consumer sales and job counts for 245 franchised outlets that reported all 12 months of 2025.
- Average 2025 gross consumer sales, 245 franchised outlets reporting all of 2025$430,998 a yearPending verificationSourceMaidPro 2026 FDD (issued April 10, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19. Gross consumer sales, before costs, not profit. Leaves out 11 outlets that opened in 2025; quarter figures leave out 20 businesses that report two territories together. 110 of 245 (45%) met or beat the average. Your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross consumer sales, same 245 outlets$380,083 a yearPending verificationSourceMaidPro 2026 FDD (issued April 10, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19. Gross consumer sales, before costs, not profit. Leaves out 11 outlets that opened in 2025; quarter figures leave out 20 businesses that report two territories together. 110 of 245 (45%) met or beat the average. Your results may differ.
- Average 2025 gross consumer sales, top quarter (57 outlets)$925,133 a yearPending verificationSourceMaidPro 2026 FDD (issued April 10, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19. Gross consumer sales, before costs, not profit. Leaves out 11 outlets that opened in 2025; quarter figures leave out 20 businesses that report two territories together. 110 of 245 (45%) met or beat the average. Your results may differ.
- Average 2025 gross consumer sales, bottom quarter (56 outlets)$110,563 a yearPending verificationSourceMaidPro 2026 FDD (issued April 10, 2026), Items 5–7 — Minnesota CARDS(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19. Gross consumer sales, before costs, not profit. Leaves out 11 outlets that opened in 2025; quarter figures leave out 20 businesses that report two territories together. 110 of 245 (45%) met or beat the average. Your results may differ.
What a franchise does give you
Franchises cost more, but the fees buy real things. Weigh them honestly.
- A national brand within Neighborly, a group of home-service franchise brands
- A protected territory defined by zip codes
- Required initial training program and an operations manual
- Prescribed scheduling and business software
- A network of 432 U.S. Molly Maid franchises at the end of 2025
- A national brand with a defined territory
- Start-up package with training, supplies, and equipment
- Optional national sales center to take customer calls
- Required national convention with other owners
- A national brand affiliated with ServiceMaster
- A 10-day initial training program for two people
- Customer management and scheduling software included in the technology fee
- Discounts for veterans and for converting an existing cleaning business
- A national brand with its own scheduling software (four user licenses included)
- Initial and ongoing training
- Optional national sales center for customer inquiries
- A conversion program for people who already run a cleaning business
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molly Maid | $144,150 – $203,950 | $11,388 – $44,954 | $7,592 – $13,832 | $9,327 | $21,430 – $22,630 | $193,887 – $294,693 | +$171,717 – $268,973 |
| The Maids | $117,720 – $141,200 | $14,804 – $47,720 | $7,592 – $13,832 | $8,400 | $21,430 – $22,630 | $169,946 – $233,782 | +$147,776 – $208,062 |
| Merry Maids | $126,875 – $169,325 | $26,572 – $48,412 | $4,935 – $8,991 | $29,940 | $21,430 – $22,630 | $209,752 – $279,298 | +$187,582 – $253,578 |
| MaidPro | $109,860 – $158,650 | $22,776 – $41,496 | $7,592 – $13,832 | $0 | $21,430 – $22,630 | $161,658 – $236,608 | +$139,488 – $210,888 |
| Independent (lean start) | $740 – $3,090* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $21,430 – $22,630 | $22,170 – $25,720 | — |
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 Residential Cleaning guide · Sources for these figures