The Window Genie Franchise is a home-based, executive-ownership window cleaning and exterior maintenance brand under the Neighborly umbrella.

t’s positioned for owners who lead teams rather than perform the labor, with a multi-service menu that supports repeat customers across the year (window cleaning, pressure washing, gutter cleaning, window tinting, and holiday lighting). This guide explains costs, daily operations, support, territories, and ideal owner profiles without any earnings claims.

This article is sponsored by Window Genie and was created in partnership with the brand to provide accurate, compliance-safe information about its business model and franchise opportunity. 

Nothing in this article should be considered legal, financial, or tax advice. Prospective franchisees should always review the most recent Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) with qualified advisors before making an investment decision.

Key Facts About the Window Genie Franchise at a Glance.

• Brand type: Home-based, mobile service business (no retail storefront required at launch)
• Core services: Residential window cleaning, pressure washing, gutter cleaning, window tinting, holiday lighting
• Ownership model: Executive owner who manages technicians and focuses on estimating, sales, networking, and operations
• Neighborly connection: Operates under the Neighborly home-services platform
• Footprint: Reported around 100+ U.S. locations (unit counts change year to year and should be confirmed in Item 20 of the current FDD)
• Training highlight: Sure Start onboarding described as multi-phase training (timing and format can vary by market and program updates)
• Territory note: Territories are described as household-based and protected, with details defined in the FDD and franchise agreement

How Window Genie Started and What Changed After Joining Neighborly.

The Window Genie Franchise began in 1994 with a simple, practical idea: homeowners wanted cleaner, better-looking windows and exterior surfaces—but they also wanted a service experience they could trust. What started as a local service business grew into a repeatable model built around professional standards, reliable scheduling, and a service mix that fits residential maintenance needs.

As the brand evolved, Window Genie expanded beyond basic window cleaning into a broader exterior maintenance menu—pressure washing, gutter cleaning, window tinting, and holiday lighting—so franchisees could serve the same households across multiple seasons and projects. This multi-service approach became a defining part of the concept, supporting ongoing relationships rather than one-time transactions.

In 2016, Window Genie joined Neighborly®, a major home-services franchise platform. That transition helped strengthen the brand’s infrastructure, including centralized marketing resources, operating systems, vendor programs, and shared best practices across a larger network of service brands. For franchise owners, this platform backing can translate into more established playbooks and support layers than many independent window cleaning franchises can offer.

Today, Window Genie is positioned as a home-based, executive-ownership window cleaning franchise where owners focus on leadership, sales, and service consistency—while trained technicians handle the hands-on fieldwork.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Window Genie Franchise?

According to the 2025 Window Genie FDD, the estimated initial investment to open a Window Genie Franchise ranges from $125,600 to $300,000. This range is driven by franchise fees, the start-up package and truck build-out, vehicles, working capital, and other early expenses.

The initial investment typically includes the initial franchise fee, start-up package and truck build-out, vehicles, office and real estate-related items, training, professional fees, and additional funds for the first three months of operation. These figures are disclosed estimates from Item 7 of the 2025 FDD and are not promises of performance.

Category	Low Estimate*	High Estimate*	Notes
Initial Franchise Fee*	$40,000*	$47,500*	Varies with territory size (about 50,000–65,000 qualified households).
Start-up Package / Truck Build-Out*	$25,800*	$55,300*	Includes equipment, tools, branded wrap, and initial materials for the first truck.
Vehicle*	$3,900*	$90,600*	Purchase/lease of a service vehicle; wide range reflects different choices and financing.
Office Package*	$0*	$3,000*	Optional basic office setup; generally home-based at startup.
Initial Training*	$1,200*	$5,000*	Travel and lodging for training at Neighborly headquarters.
Advertising and Promotions*	$3,500*	$4,000*	Early local marketing spend to launch the territory.
Security/Utility Deposits, Licenses & Prepaids*	$1,200*	$3,000*	Deposits and fees for utilities and local registrations.
Real Estate*	$0*	$4,700*	Optional storage or office space; many owners don’t need this initially.
Professional Fees*	$0*	$5,000*	Legal, accounting, and advisory fees during start-up.
Additional Funds (first 3 months)*	$50,000*	$81,900*	Working capital to cover payroll, marketing, and operating costs during ramp-up.
Total Estimated Initial Investment*	$125,600*	$300,000*	Sum of listed categories for a typical start-up.

Ongoing Fees & Support (Items 5–6)

The Window Genie Franchise charges a percentage-of-sales royalty (often called a license fee), a brand marketing fund contribution, and may require local marketing spending. Exact obligations, definitions, and any minimums should be confirmed in Items 5 and 6 of the current FDD.

Category	Typical Amount*	Notes
Royalty / License Fee*	7%* of Gross Sales	Paid on gross sales; confirm definitions and any minimums in Item 6.
Brand / MAP Marketing Fund*	2%* of Gross Sales	National marketing contribution; confirm terms in Item 6.
Local Marketing Spend*	Varies	FDD references local marketing groups up to 3% of Gross Sales; confirm current requirements.
Technology / Software*	Varies	Required platforms and fees should be confirmed in the latest FDD and onboarding materials.
Other Periodic Fees*	Varies	Renewal, transfer, training, and other fees appear in Items 5 and 6; confirm details.

What Tends to Move the Total Up or Down?

The total cost to open a Window Genie Franchise often moves up or down based on vehicle choices, local marketing decisions, and whether you add office or storage space beyond the core home-based model.

Key factors include:

• Vehicle selection: New vs. used, lease vs. purchase, and starting with more than one truck can significantly shift startup totals.
• Real estate decisions: While designed as home-based, leasing storage or office space increases overhead and upfront costs.
• Market size and territory choice: Larger territories push the initial franchise fee toward the high end of the range.
• Professional services: Legal/accounting support can move professional fees from low to high.
• Staffing and marketing strategy: Hiring more technicians early and front-loading marketing often requires more working capital.

What Is the Window Genie Business Model?

The Window Genie Franchise runs as a home-based, executive-ownership business where the franchisee leads a small team delivering window cleaning and related services, focusing their own time on sales estimates, scheduling, and local networking.

Window Genie centers on residential window cleaning, but owners also offer pressure washing, window tinting, gutter cleaning, and holiday lighting. This multi-service structure can help franchisees serve the same households across multiple needs and seasons. Many jobs are scheduled during standard daytime hours, but schedules can vary by season, staffing, and local demand.

What Does a Typical Day Look Like for an Owner-Operator?

A typical day for a Window Genie franchise owner is spent meeting homeowners for estimates, leading technicians through morning huddles and route planning, and cultivating referral relationships rather than performing ladder work.

Common daily activities include:

• Sales and estimating: Visiting homes (or using remote tools) to scope jobs, present options, and schedule work.
• Team management: Running crew huddles, assigning routes, monitoring safety, and reinforcing quality standards.
• Customer service: Handling questions, weather reschedules, and service recovery to protect reviews and reputation.
• Local marketing: Coordinating campaigns and seasonal promotions (including holiday lighting where offered).
• Networking: Building relationships with realtors, property managers, local groups, and adjacent referral partners.
• Administration: Reviewing dashboards, invoicing, payroll, and ensuring royalties and marketing contributions are handled on schedule.

Training, Support, and Technology.

Window Genie and Neighborly describe structured onboarding that combines preparation, business training, and technical training. 

New franchisees enter the Sure Start program, which is described as a multi-phase process that may include virtual preparation, classroom training, and field training in the franchisee’s market. 

After launch, owners may receive guidance from Franchise Business Coaches, participate in peer networks, and use required technology platforms for scheduling, estimating, invoicing, and reporting. 

Exact schedules, tools, and costs should be confirmed in Item 11 of the current FDD.

What Should You Confirm During Due Diligence?

During due diligence, confirm the precise length and format of training, the level of hands-on coaching you can expect, required software and its costs, and what the franchisor provides versus what remains your responsibility.

Helpful questions include:

• How many days of in-person business and technical training are currently included, and who covers travel/lodging?
• What is the ongoing cadence with Franchise Business Coaches—weekly, monthly, or performance-based?
• Which software platforms are mandatory, how are they billed, and what onboarding support is provided?
• How much of digital marketing is executed centrally versus handled locally, and what are seasonal budget expectations?
• What peer-learning formats exist (regional meetings, conventions, online groups), and how active is the franchisee community?

Territories, Real Estate, and Equipment Requirements.

Window Genie territories are generally based on qualified households within a defined area. The business is designed as a home-based mobile operation without mandatory office space, and core equipment typically includes a wrapped service vehicle, cleaning tools, and safety gear. Because specifics vary by market, confirm details in the latest FDD and franchise agreement.

Real estate profile.

The Window Genie Franchise is designed as a home-based business at startup, with no required retail storefront and only optional storage or office space as the business scales. Owners often operate from a home office and store equipment in garages or small storage units. Some franchisees later choose small flex/warehouse spaces for vehicles and materials, but this is not required initially under the home-based model.

Territory protection.

Territories are typically described around 50,000–65,000 qualified households, with fees tied to territory size and provisions in the FDD describing how the brand protects or shares activity within those boundaries. Review Item 12 carefully for territory rights, boundary rules, and how certain accounts (e-commerce, commercial accounts, nearby franchisees) may be handled.

Equipment and vehicles.

Franchisees typically need at least one branded service vehicle equipped with professional window cleaning, pressure washing, gutter cleaning, and holiday lighting tools, plus safety equipment aligned with the operations manual. The Start-up Package line item in Item 7 bundles much of this into an ordered package, with specifics explained during onboarding.

Who Is the Ideal Window Genie Franchise Owner?

The ideal Window Genie franchise owner is a sales-oriented leader who wants to manage people and grow a local service business full-time, not perform field work.

Traits that align well with the model include:

• Leadership and team-building: Hiring, training, and motivating technicians while maintaining quality standards
• Sales and relationships: Estimating, presenting services, and building referral networks
• Systems mindset: Willingness to follow the playbook and use required tools consistently
• Technology comfort: Ability to work with scheduling, CRM, and marketing dashboards
• Time commitment: Many owners treat it as a full-time executive role, especially early on, with schedule variability by season and market

How Does the Window Genie Franchise Compare to Similar Options?

Compared with many other window cleaning franchises, Window Genie combines a multi-service exterior cleaning model, Neighborly’s ecosystem, and an executive ownership approach, while maintaining a mid-range investment and home-based structure typical of mobile service brands.

Qualitative comparison points:

• Concept scope: Five service lines can create cross-sell opportunities vs. single-service window cleaning concepts
• Operational complexity: Technician-driven route management and safety oversight, without retail storefront complexity
• Staffing model: Small crews of field technicians (appealing to owners comfortable with field-service leadership)
• Territory strategy: Household-based territories make it easier to compare density and growth potential
• Ecosystem support: Platform-level marketing, tech, and vendor programs can be a differentiator

FAQ About the Window Genie Franchise.

1) How much does a Window Genie Franchise cost?
The 2025 FDD shows an estimated initial investment between $125,600 and $300,000, including the initial franchise fee, start-up package, vehicles, and additional funds for the first three months.

2) What are the main ongoing fees for Window Genie?
Key ongoing fees include a 7% royalty (license fee) on gross sales and a 2% marketing fund contribution, with possible additional local marketing group contributions and other periodic fees listed in Items 5 and 6 of the FDD.

3) Do owners have to clean windows themselves?
The system is positioned as an executive ownership model where franchisees primarily manage teams and customer relationships rather than performing cleaning work themselves.

4) Is the business seasonal?
Some services have seasonal peaks (including holiday lighting), but the mix of offerings can create work opportunities across the year. Seasonality still varies by market.

5) Does Window Genie serve commercial customers as well as residential?
Window Genie is primarily positioned as residential, though some locations may serve light commercial accounts depending on local agreements and the franchisee’s strategy.

6) How can I learn more before speaking to the franchisor?
Start by reviewing the current FDD and building a diligence plan, then validate assumptions through structured questions and franchisee conversations.

Is the Window Genie Franchise the Right Fit for You?

The Window Genie Franchise may be a strong fit if you want an executive, home-based window cleaning franchise that emphasizes leadership, sales, and recurring residential services—and you’re comfortable with the investment range and operational responsibilities outlined in the 2025 FDD.

You may find Window Genie a good fit if:

• You like leading a small team rather than working on ladders
• You’re comfortable selling services, presenting estimates, and networking locally
• You prefer a mobile, home-based model versus a retail location
• You’re willing to follow the system and use Neighborly tools and support

You may want to be cautious if:

• You dislike direct customer interaction or local networking
• You want a fully passive investment with minimal involvement
• You’re not comfortable managing technicians or field-service operational issues