To put this short article together, we spoke with several Elite franchisees to understand what a “typical” day looks like. Interestingly, there’s no single definition of typical. Not only did each franchisee’s routine differ from the next, but their own days varied significantly as well.
What follows is a snapshot of the kinds of experiences you can expect when working with one of Australia’s leading carpet and upholstery cleaning franchises.
Early Starts and After-Hours Work
For franchisees servicing nightclubs, casinos, or late-night venues, the workday can begin well before sunrise. It’s not uncommon to be out of bed by 2am and onsite by 3am, once patrons have cleared out for the night.
The good news? These early starts usually run in short blocks rather than every day. Even without nightlife venues, many commercial carpet cleaning jobs are scheduled before staff arrive—often before 7am—or after hours on evenings and weekends to minimise disruption.
Domestic Jobs and Life on the Road
Residential carpet and upholstery cleaning is generally carried out during standard business hours. However, for franchisees covering large regional territories, time behind the wheel is part of the job.
In some areas, it can take hours to travel from one end of a territory to the other. It’s not unusual for an Elite franchisee to spend up to four hours a day driving between jobs—especially in regional and rural locations.
No Two Jobs Are the Same
The diversity of work is one of the most appealing aspects of the role. For example, franchisees operating near major marinas or yachting hubs may regularly carry out specialist upholstery cleaning on luxury vessels—including carpeted walls, stairwells, and cabins aboard superyachts.
Every location brings its own unique challenges, environments, and clients.
Equipment Care Is Part of the Job
Maintaining equipment is a critical part of delivering consistent, professional results. Many franchisees spend the equivalent of up to an hour a day ensuring machines, tools, and vehicles are clean, serviced, and operating at peak performance.
This attention to detail is one of the reasons Elite maintains its reputation for quality and reliability across Australia.
Seasonal Peaks and Quiet Periods
Like many service-based industries, carpet cleaning can be seasonal. During peak periods, some franchisees report working up to 70 hours a week. In quieter times, workloads may drop to around 20 hours.
That variation brings balance—some days are flat out with barely time for lunch, while quieter periods allow flexibility. Whether it’s catching up on admin, networking, or even fitting in a quick round of golf, downtime is often used productively.
Thinking About Joining Elite?
Whether it’s early-morning commercial work, varied residential jobs, or specialist cleaning in unique environments, life as an Elite franchisee is anything but monotonous.
Learn more about joining Elite by visiting our Franchise Opportunities page
Or explore why so many Australians trust Elite on our About Elite page
If you’re looking for a business that offers flexibility, variety, and the backing of an established national brand, Elite Maintenance Services could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for.
