Buildingstars Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Buildingstars provides commercial cleaning and janitorial services, focusing on quality and customer satisfaction to maintain clean and professional workspaces.

Buildingstars stands out as a leading commercial cleaning franchise, delivering specialized janitorial services to industries such as office buildings, healthcare, finance, industrial facilities, and education.

Founded in 1994 by Chris Blase in St. Louis, Missouri, Buildingstars started franchising in 2000, offering aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to run their own cleaning businesses with a proven system.

The franchise’s innovative approach sets it apart, offering three tailored programs—Technician, Onsite Manager, and Corporate—that enable franchisees to begin with minimal investment and expand their business as they grow in skill and resources.

Moreover, Buildingstars prioritizes high-quality cleaning accounts and avoids unpredictable sectors like restaurants, health clubs, and retail. This focus provides franchisees with stable schedules and consistent workloads, fostering a reliable and scalable business model.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $33,000 – $39,000
Travel and living expenses during training $0 – $1,000
Equipment $2,500 – $5,000
Insurance $300 – $1,000
Legal, accounting and professional fees $500 – $1,500
Opening inventory (supplies) $300 – $700
Additional Funds – 3 months $3,000 – $5,000
TOTAL $39,600 – $53,200
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $33,000 – $39,000
Travel and living expenses during training $0 – $1,000
Equipment $2,500 – $5,000
Insurance $300 – $1,000
Legal, accounting and professional fees $500 – $1,500
Opening inventory (supplies) $300 – $700
Additional Funds – 3 months $3,000 – $5,000
TOTAL $39,600 – $53,200

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Buildingstars provides multiple types of training programs to ensure franchisees can effectively operate their businesses. These include:

  1. Initial Training Program
    Buildingstars offers an initial training program for franchisees and one employee, designed to teach the operation of the business using the system and marks. This program is conducted after the franchise agreement is executed and before the opening of the business. Franchisees are responsible for all associated travel, lodging, and meal costs. Completion of the program is mandatory, and unsatisfactory completion may lead to termination of the franchise agreement.
  2. Refresher Training Programs
    Buildingstars periodically conducts refresher training programs or seminars to reinforce operational skills or introduce new methodologies. Franchisees and their employees must attend these programs and cover their travel, lodging, and meal costs. The franchisor reserves the right to charge a reasonable fee for these sessions.
  3. Continuing Advisory Assistance
    The franchisor provides ongoing advisory assistance tailored to the franchisee's operational needs. This support can include guidance on business practices and operational improvements. Buildingstars may charge a reasonable fee for such assistance, along with reimbursement for any related expenses.
  4. Role-Specific Training Programs
    For franchises under specific operational categories (Technician, On-Site Manager, or Corporate Programs), tailored training durations are provided: approximately 4 hours for the Technician Program, 13 hours for the On-Site Manager Program, and 21 hours for the Corporate Program. If transitioning between programs, franchisees may only need to train in areas they haven't covered previously.

Territory Protection

Buildingstars provides franchisees with a designated operational area referred to as an "Area," which is outlined in the franchise agreement. Within this area, franchisees are authorized to operate their business under the franchisor's system and marks.

However, Buildingstars does not guarantee exclusive territory protection, allowing the franchisor or its affiliates to operate similar businesses or grant additional franchises both within and outside the franchisee's area.

Despite the lack of strict territorial exclusivity, franchisees are prohibited from soliciting or serving customers of other franchisees or the franchisor’s affiliates. Additionally, Buildingstars retains the right to engage in business activities in any location, including marketing through alternative channels or offering similar services under different branding.

Competitors

Below are some of

Buildingstars

key competitors in the

Commercial Cleaning

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

1060

New
+
31%
31%

$33,000

$40,000

$53,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

You've Got Maids

You've Got Maids is a residential cleaning franchise providing professional maid services with a focus on eco-friendly practices and exceptional customer service.

Franchisees

?

74
+
-15%
-15%
Investment

?

$36,000 - $107,000

Renue

Renue is a commercial cleaning and sanitization franchise specializing in deep cleaning and surface restoration for hotels, healthcare facilities, and offices.

Franchisees

?

24
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$165,000 - $195,000

Buildingstars

Buildingstars provides commercial cleaning and janitorial services, focusing on quality and customer satisfaction to maintain clean and professional workspaces.

Franchisees

?

1060
+
31%
31%
Investment

?

$40,000 - $53,000

Sparkle Squad

Sparkle Squad provides residential and commercial window cleaning services. Their eco-friendly solutions and professional techniques leave windows spotless and sparkling.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$153,000 - $176,000

ecomaids

Ecomaids offers eco-friendly cleaning services for residential and commercial clients. Franchisees receive comprehensive training, marketing support, and operational tools to build a green cleaning business.

Franchisees

?

58
+
-30%
-30%
Investment

?

$129,000 - $151,000

IMAGE ONE FACILITY SOLUTIONS

IMAGE ONE offers comprehensive cleaning services for commercial properties, including janitorial and maintenance solutions. Franchisees receive training, marketing support, and the tools needed to manage a successful commercial cleaning business.

Franchisees

?

20
+
11%
11%
Investment

?

$44,000 - $61,000