Short-Term Rental Turnover and Co-Hosting 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 | $10,000 – $112,000Pending verificationSourcesiTrip 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026, as amended July 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026SkyRun 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Casago 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026, as amended August 6 and October 14, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise Directory — MaidThis Cleaning(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Range across 4 franchise brands. | $0 |
| Initial investment | $23,000 – $1,287,000Pending verificationSourcesiTrip 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026, as amended July 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026SkyRun 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Casago 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026, as amended August 6 and October 14, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise Directory — MaidThis Cleaning(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 4 brands. | $769 – $3,139*Pending verificationSourcesConnecteam — how to start a small cleaning business (updated December 25, 2025)(opens in a new tab)Tier 3 · Guide or blog · Accessed October 31, 2026California Secretary of State — LLC forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Jobber — pricing page(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 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 | 1.5% – 6% of revenuePending verificationSourcesiTrip 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026, as amended July 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026SkyRun 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Casago 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026, as amended August 6 and October 14, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise Directory — MaidThis Cleaning(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 4 brands. | None |
| Operating costs (5 years) | $26,410 – $27,610Pending verificationSourcesInsureon — house cleaning business insurance cost (updated September 1, 2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Insureon — property manager insurance cost (updated February 19, 2025)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Jobber — pricing page(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. | $26,410 – $27,610 |
| Brand, training, and support | Included | You build your own |
| 5-year total cost | $109,484 – $1,390,949 | $27,179 – $30,749* |
Franchise fee
- Franchise (4 brands)
- $10,000 – $112,000Pending verificationSourcesiTrip 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026, as amended July 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026SkyRun 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Casago 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026, as amended August 6 and October 14, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise Directory — MaidThis Cleaning(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Range across 4 franchise brands.
- Independent
- $0
Initial investment
- Franchise (4 brands)
- $23,000 – $1,287,000Pending verificationSourcesiTrip 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026, as amended July 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026SkyRun 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Casago 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026, as amended August 6 and October 14, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise Directory — MaidThis Cleaning(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 4 brands.
- Independent
- $769 – $3,139*Pending verificationSourcesConnecteam — how to start a small cleaning business (updated December 25, 2025)(opens in a new tab)Tier 3 · Guide or blog · Accessed October 31, 2026California Secretary of State — LLC forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Jobber — pricing page(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 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)
- 1.5% – 6% of revenuePending verificationSourcesiTrip 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026, as amended July 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026SkyRun 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Casago 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026, as amended August 6 and October 14, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise Directory — MaidThis Cleaning(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 4 brands.
- Independent
- None
Operating costs (5 years)
- Franchise (4 brands)
- $26,410 – $27,610Pending verificationSourcesInsureon — house cleaning business insurance cost (updated September 1, 2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Insureon — property manager insurance cost (updated February 19, 2025)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 31, 2026Jobber — pricing page(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
- $26,410 – $27,610
Brand, training, and support
- Franchise (4 brands)
- Included
- Independent
- You build your own
5-year total cost
- Franchise (4 brands)
- $109,484 – $1,390,949
- Independent
- $27,179 – $30,749*
5-year totals assume $60,736–$111,696 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.
iTrip Vacations
Item 19 reports 2025 total rental revenue per territory for 82 franchisees (100 territories) open at least 12 months. This is the owners' booking revenue plus taxes that flows through the business, not the franchisee's own income or profit.
- Average total rental revenue per territory, 2025, 82 franchisees in 100 territories open at least 12 months (owners' bookings plus taxes; not franchisee income or profit)$2,395,376 a yearPending verificationSourceiTrip 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026, as amended July 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Includes guest rent, cleaning and other fees, plus sales and occupancy taxes. Most of it belongs to the property owners; the franchisee keeps only its management fee. 31 of 100 territories met or beat the average. Pulled from iTrip's software and not audited. Some franchisees came in with an existing book of business. Your results may differ.
- Median total rental revenue per territory, 2025, same 100 territories (owners' bookings plus taxes; not franchisee income or profit)$1,767,339 a yearPending verificationSourceiTrip 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026, as amended July 23, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Same definition and caveats as the average. The lowest territory reported $273,697 and the highest $12,013,906. Your results may differ.
SkyRun Vacation Rentals
Item 19 reports 2025 gross revenue and properties managed for franchised businesses open all year, split into 9 New Businesses (12–24 months old) and 24 Experienced Businesses. SkyRun's gross revenue includes guest rental revenue, so it is far larger than what the franchisee keeps.
- Average gross revenue, 2025, 9 New Businesses open 12–24 months (includes guest rental revenue; not profit)$289,878 a yearPending verificationSourceSkyRun 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Gross revenue includes rental revenue, cleaning fees, booking fees, and other guest and owner charges, before paying owners, royalties, and expenses. 2 of 9 (22%) met or beat the average; the lowest was $0. These businesses managed an average of 15 properties. Your results may differ.
- Median gross revenue, 2025, 9 New Businesses open 12–24 months (includes guest rental revenue; not profit)$180,815 a yearPending verificationSourceSkyRun 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Same definition and caveats as the average. Your results may differ.
- Average gross revenue, 2025, 24 Experienced Businesses open 24 months or more (includes guest rental revenue; not profit)$1,698,975 a yearPending verificationSourceSkyRun 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Same definition as above. 9 businesses (38%) met or beat the average; the lowest was $0 and the highest $8,040,522. These businesses managed an average of 38 properties. Some converted from licensees of SkyRun's predecessor. Your results may differ.
- Median gross revenue, 2025, 24 Experienced Businesses open 24 months or more (includes guest rental revenue; not profit)$1,098,128 a yearPending verificationSourceSkyRun 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 30, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Same definition and caveats as the average. Your results may differ.
Casago
This FDD makes no financial performance representation.
What a franchise does give you
Franchises cost more, but the fees buy real things. Weigh them honestly.
- Brand and booking website that brings guests to your owners' homes
- Proprietary property management software and initial training
- Twelve months of operational support included in the opening fees
- Territories sized by the number of local short-term rental listings
- A network of about 105 franchised outlets at the end of 2025 to learn from
- Reservation system and online listing distribution
- Brand fund and marketing programs
- Initial and ongoing training
- Territories sized by the number of local short-term rentals
- 41 franchised and 8 affiliate-owned outlets at the end of 2025
- Full-service vacation rental management system and brand
- Initial training for your designated manager at no tuition charge
- Can be started from a home office
- Rapid network growth: 125 franchised outlets at the end of 2025, up from 37
- Brand focused on residential and vacation rental cleaning
- Established 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iTrip Vacations | $119,400 – $153,150 | $12,147 – $27,924 | $0 | $90,000 – $112,500 | $26,410 – $27,610 | $247,957 – $321,184 | +$220,778 – $290,435 |
| SkyRun Vacation Rentals | $105,080 – $153,980 | $15,184 – $27,924 | $3,037 – $5,585 | $9,600 | $26,410 – $27,610 | $159,311 – $224,699 | +$132,132 – $193,950 |
| Casago | $23,000 – $1,287,000 | $4,555 – $19,547 | $1,518 – $2,792 | $54,000 | $26,410 – $27,610 | $109,484 – $1,390,949 | +$82,305 – $1,360,200 |
| MaidThis Cleaning | $68,300 – $79,900 | $18,221 – $33,509 | $6,074 – $11,170 | $0 | $26,410 – $27,610 | $119,004 – $152,188 | +$91,825 – $121,439 |
| Independent (lean start) | $769 – $3,139 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $26,410 – $27,610 | $27,179 – $30,749 | — |
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.
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 Short-Term Rental Turnover and Co-Hosting guide · Sources for these figures