Cost to Start a Molly Maid Franchise in 2026

Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment for a Molly Maid franchise runs $103,000–$170,000. Unlike most franchise concepts, there is no retail location — the business operates from a small office or home office, and technicians travel to customer homes. The primary cost categories are:

• Franchise fee: $14,900
• Vehicle(s) — cleaning team transportation: $25,000–$60,000 (company vehicles or vehicle allowance for cleaners)
• Equipment and supplies (vacuums, cleaning tools, initial supplies): $15,000–$30,000
• Technology (scheduling software, CRM, mobile apps): $3,000–$8,000
• Initial marketing and launch campaign: $10,000–$20,000
• Office setup (if applicable): $2,000–$8,000
• Training and travel: $3,000–$8,000
• Working capital: $15,000–$30,000
• Miscellaneous pre-opening: $2,000–$8,000

Molly Maid requires prospective franchisees to demonstrate net worth of $100,000 or more and liquid capital of $60,000 or more — among the more accessible thresholds in the Neighborly franchise family. The lower investment requirement and recurring revenue model make Molly Maid a common entry point for first-time franchisees in the home services category. The primary scaling challenge is hiring and retaining reliable cleaning staff in competitive local labor markets.

Molly Maid (Neighborly) is on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA 7(a) eligibility. At $103K–$170K, SBA 7(a) and SBA Microloans (under $50K) are both viable paths depending on the financed amount. Here is what underwriters evaluate:

• DSCR 1.25×–1.35× on recurring cleaning revenue: SBA SOP 50 10 8 sets the DSCR floor at 1.15×; SBA participating lenders typically require 1.25×–1.35×. Molly Maid's recurring service model (weekly/biweekly/monthly schedules) generates predictable revenue once a client base is established. Lenders model the ramp period — typically 6–12 months to reach a stable recurring revenue level — using FDD Item 19 average gross sales for comparable territories.
• Equity injection 10–20% of project cost: Per SBA SOP 50 10 8, borrowers must contribute equity from personal funds not borrowed for this purpose. At $103K–$170K, equity injection runs approximately $10K–$34K. Molly Maid's low capital requirement makes this one of the more accessible equity injection thresholds in home services franchising.
• Neighborly parent company SBA franchise status: Molly Maid's parent (Neighborly) maintains an active SBA Franchise Directory listing, which streamlines lender review. Lenders familiar with the Neighborly brand ecosystem may process applications faster.
• Vehicle financing as a separate commercial auto loan: Company vehicles ($25K–$60K) are typically financed separately as commercial auto loans rather than included in the SBA loan, reducing the SBA loan balance and improving the debt service coverage ratio.
• Client retention metrics (for territory acquisitions): Franchisees buying an existing Molly Maid territory with an established client base can provide historical revenue data. Lenders assign higher confidence to cash flow projections backed by verified recurring client schedules versus a new territory launch.