Window 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 | $38,000 – $74,900Pending verificationSourcesWindow Genie 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Fish Window Cleaning 2025 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2025; no 2026 FDD on file(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Men In Kilts 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 10, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise Directory — Window Gang(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Range across 4 franchise brands. | $0 |
| Initial investment | $101,375 – $305,683Pending verificationSourcesWindow Genie 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Fish Window Cleaning 2025 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2025; no 2026 FDD on file(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Men In Kilts 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 10, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise Directory — Window Gang(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 4 brands. | $248 – $4,048*Pending verificationSourcesCleanFreak — Unger window cleaning kits(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Global Industrial — Unger HydroPower Ultra Entry Kit, 20 ft(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Global Industrial — Unger HydroPower Ultra Small Advanced Kit, 39 ft(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026California Secretary of State — LLC forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Computed from 4 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded. |
| Ongoing royalties | 5% – 8% of revenuePending verificationSourcesWindow Genie 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Fish Window Cleaning 2025 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2025; no 2026 FDD on file(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Men In Kilts 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 10, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise Directory — Window Gang(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 4 brands. | None |
| Operating costs (5 years) | $21,400 – $22,600Pending verificationSourcesJobber — pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Insureon — window cleaning business insurance cost(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · 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. | $21,400 – $22,600 |
| Brand, training, and support | Included | You build your own |
| 5-year total cost | $177,343 – $421,454 | $21,648 – $26,648* |
Franchise fee
- Franchise (4 brands)
- $38,000 – $74,900Pending verificationSourcesWindow Genie 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Fish Window Cleaning 2025 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2025; no 2026 FDD on file(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Men In Kilts 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 10, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise Directory — Window Gang(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Range across 4 franchise brands.
- Independent
- $0
Initial investment
- Franchise (4 brands)
- $101,375 – $305,683Pending verificationSourcesWindow Genie 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Fish Window Cleaning 2025 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2025; no 2026 FDD on file(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Men In Kilts 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 10, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise Directory — Window Gang(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 4 brands.
- Independent
- $248 – $4,048*Pending verificationSourcesCleanFreak — Unger window cleaning kits(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Global Industrial — Unger HydroPower Ultra Entry Kit, 20 ft(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Global Industrial — Unger HydroPower Ultra Small Advanced Kit, 39 ft(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026California Secretary of State — LLC forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Computed from 4 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)
- 5% – 8% of revenuePending verificationSourcesWindow Genie 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Fish Window Cleaning 2025 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2025; no 2026 FDD on file(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Men In Kilts 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 10, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Entrepreneur Franchise Directory — Window Gang(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 4 brands.
- Independent
- None
Operating costs (5 years)
- Franchise (4 brands)
- $21,400 – $22,600Pending verificationSourcesJobber — pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Insureon — window cleaning business insurance cost(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · 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
- $21,400 – $22,600
Brand, training, and support
- Franchise (4 brands)
- Included
- Independent
- You build your own
5-year total cost
- Franchise (4 brands)
- $177,343 – $421,454
- Independent
- $21,648 – $26,648*
5-year totals assume $76,544–$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.
Window Genie
The 2026 FDD reports 2025 gross sales for 94 franchises open all of 2025, plus sales per job and jobs per day for 101; 9 businesses that closed in 2025 are left out.
- Average 2025 gross sales, 94 franchises open all of 2025$475,663 a yearPending verificationSourceWindow Genie 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Parts IV and V. Gross sales reported by franchisees through the franchisor's software, not profit. Leaves out 9 businesses that closed in 2025 and those not open all year. 38 of 94 (37%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross sales, same 94 franchises$386,484 a yearPending verificationSourceWindow Genie 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Parts IV and V. Gross sales reported by franchisees through the franchisor's software, not profit. Leaves out 9 businesses that closed in 2025 and those not open all year. 38 of 94 (37%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Average 2025 gross sales, top 25% (24 franchises)$976,943 a yearPending verificationSourceWindow Genie 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Parts IV and V. Gross sales reported by franchisees through the franchisor's software, not profit. Leaves out 9 businesses that closed in 2025 and those not open all year. 38 of 94 (37%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Average 2025 gross sales, bottom 25% (24 franchises)$130,448 a yearPending verificationSourceWindow Genie 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 1, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Parts IV and V. Gross sales reported by franchisees through the franchisor's software, not profit. Leaves out 9 businesses that closed in 2025 and those not open all year. 38 of 94 (37%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
Fish Window Cleaning
The 2025 FDD reports 2024 total revenue for 252 franchised outlets open all of 2024, in top 10%, top half, bottom half and bottom 10% groups; it gives no single average for all outlets.
- Average 2024 total revenue, top half of 252 franchised outlets open all of 2024$775,483 a yearPending verificationSourceFish Window Cleaning 2025 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2025; no 2026 FDD on file(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19 (2025 FDD, 2024 figures; no 2026 FDD was on file). Total revenue, not profit. Leaves out 16 outlets not open all of 2024, 11 that closed in 2024 and the affiliate-owned outlet. Your results may differ.
- Median 2024 total revenue, same top half$671,268 a yearPending verificationSourceFish Window Cleaning 2025 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2025; no 2026 FDD on file(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19 (2025 FDD, 2024 figures; no 2026 FDD was on file). Total revenue, not profit. Leaves out 16 outlets not open all of 2024, 11 that closed in 2024 and the affiliate-owned outlet. Your results may differ.
- Average 2024 total revenue, bottom half of the same 252 outlets$259,074 a yearPending verificationSourceFish Window Cleaning 2025 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2025; no 2026 FDD on file(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19 (2025 FDD, 2024 figures; no 2026 FDD was on file). Total revenue, not profit. Leaves out 16 outlets not open all of 2024, 11 that closed in 2024 and the affiliate-owned outlet. Your results may differ.
- Average 2024 total revenue, bottom 10% of the same 252 outlets$125,424 a yearPending verificationSourceFish Window Cleaning 2025 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 2, 2025; no 2026 FDD on file(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19 (2025 FDD, 2024 figures; no 2026 FDD was on file). Total revenue, not profit. Leaves out 16 outlets not open all of 2024, 11 that closed in 2024 and the affiliate-owned outlet. Your results may differ.
Men In Kilts
The 2026 FDD reports 2025 gross consumer sales for 11 U.S. franchises (running 27 territories) and, separately, for Canadian franchises.
- Average 2025 gross consumer sales, 11 U.S. franchises (27 territories)$209,277 a yearPending verificationSourceMen In Kilts 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 10, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Section A. Gross consumer sales, not profit, per franchise; some franchises run several territories, and some territories may not have operated all year. Leaves out 1 franchise (2 territories) that closed in 2025. 4 of 11 (36%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross consumer sales, same 11 franchises$190,777 a yearPending verificationSourceMen In Kilts 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 10, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Section A. Gross consumer sales, not profit, per franchise; some franchises run several territories, and some territories may not have operated all year. Leaves out 1 franchise (2 territories) that closed in 2025. 4 of 11 (36%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Highest 2025 gross consumer sales among the 11 U.S. franchises$489,287 a yearPending verificationSourceMen In Kilts 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 10, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Section A. Gross consumer sales, not profit, per franchise; some franchises run several territories, and some territories may not have operated all year. Leaves out 1 franchise (2 territories) that closed in 2025. 4 of 11 (36%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
- Lowest 2025 gross consumer sales among the 11 U.S. franchises$63,447 a yearPending verificationSourceMen In Kilts 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 10, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Section A. Gross consumer sales, not profit, per franchise; some franchises run several territories, and some territories may not have operated all year. Leaves out 1 franchise (2 territories) that closed in 2025. 4 of 11 (36%) reached the average. Your results may differ.
Window Gang
We couldn't check Item 19: no FDD for this brand was on file in Minnesota CARDS when we looked, so the figures above come from Entrepreneur's franchise directory.
What a franchise does give you
Franchises cost more, but the fees buy real things. Weigh them honestly.
- National brand within the Neighborly group of home-service brands
- Access to the ProTradeNet buying network
- Ongoing operational and local marketing support
- Training in operations, employee management, safety and customer service
- Marketing resources and online recruiting help
- Large established network focused on window cleaning
- Business coaching and a dedicated marketing team
- A national sales center that books jobs
- Franchisor offers to help with financing options
- 52–60.5 hours of classroom and on-the-job training
- Training covers cleaning, equipment, bookkeeping and marketing
- Bundles window, gutter, pressure washing and chimney services under one brand
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Window Genie | $136,064 – $305,683 | $26,790 – $48,412 | $7,654 – $13,832 | $30,927 | $21,400 – $22,600 | $222,836 – $421,454 | +$201,188 – $398,455 |
| Fish Window Cleaning | $107,000 – $173,700 | $19,136 – $55,328 | $3,827 – $6,916 | $25,980 | $21,400 – $22,600 | $177,343 – $284,524 | +$155,695 – $261,525 |
| Men In Kilts | $101,375 – $148,195 | $22,963 – $41,496 | $7,654 – $13,832 | $30,000 | $21,400 – $22,600 | $183,393 – $256,123 | +$161,744 – $233,124 |
| Window Gang | $138,600 – $246,500 | $22,963 – $41,496 | $7,654 – $13,832 | $0 | $21,400 – $22,600 | $190,618 – $324,428 | +$168,969 – $301,429 |
| Independent (lean start) | $248 – $399* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $21,400 – $22,600 | $21,648 – $22,999 | — |
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 Window Cleaning guide · Sources for these figures