Is Cleaning as respected as Nursing? Get your Value Statements Ready...

learn some professional ways to say your value statement to clients who are not always nice when it comes to pricing!!

Is Cleaning as Respected as Nursing? How to Handle Pricing Pushback with Professionalism and Confidence

In the world of house cleaning, there’s a lingering question that many of us as cleaning business owners quietly ask ourselves: Can the art and skill of cleaning ever be seen as a respected profession—like nursing, teaching, or other esteemed careers?

In a powerful and eye-opening conversation, Shannon Miller, cleaning business coach and founder of Klean Freaks University, sits down with fellow industry expert Jamie Runco to explore this very topic. Together, they unpack the often-overlooked realities of working in the cleaning industry—especially when it comes to defending your prices and dealing with belittling client remarks.

The Hidden Complexities of Professional Cleaning

Running a successful cleaning business is so much more than scrubbing floors and wiping windows. It involves logistics, people management, safety protocols, specialized knowledge of cleaning solutions, and—perhaps most importantly—the ability to uphold your value when the world often underestimates you.

Too often, cleaning professionals are faced with comments like:

"It’s just cleaning, why so expensive?"
"I could do this myself if I had the time."
"You charge more than my hairdresser!"

These types of statements can be frustrating, disheartening, and, frankly, offensive to hardworking cleaning business owners who pour their heart into every home they service. Shannon and Jamie dive into why these comparisons are flawed, and how we can collectively shift the narrative around the work we do.

Standing Firm with Confidence and Class

One of the biggest challenges in our industry is not just pricing—but holding the line on pricing when someone questions your worth. In this episode, we share:

How to respond politely—but powerfully—to price objections
Tips for communicating your value without apologizing
Real examples of boundary-setting statements that maintain professionalism

When you run a cleaning business, your reputation, communication style, and pricing structure all work together to tell your clients one thing: You’re a professional, and your services are worth every penny.

Navigating Price Negotiations & Judgmental Clients

It’s not just about what you say—it’s also how you say it. Shannon and Jamie offer practical advice on:

Avoiding defensive language and staying calm under pressure
Knowing when to walk away from clients who don't respect your worth
Using professional branding and messaging to reinforce your business’s expertise
Reframing the conversation around value, not cost

Your cleaning business is built on trust, integrity, and results. That deserves respect.

Elevating the Industry—One Conversation at a Time

The cleaning industry is evolving. As more of us step into leadership roles and operate legitimate, high-quality businesses, we are changing the perception of what it means to be a cleaning professional.

This episode is not just about standing up for yourself—it’s about standing up for all of us.

We discuss how:

Professional appearance, communication, and systems help command respect
Setting strong boundaries with grace can boost your credibility
Educating clients on the why behind your pricing can turn skeptics into superfans

Final Thoughts: You’re Not “Just” a Cleaner

You are an entrepreneur, a service provider, and a change-maker in your community. Cleaning is an art, a skill, and an essential service that deserves to be treated with the same respect as any other profession.

If you’ve ever felt undervalued or talked down to, this episode will remind you that you are not alone—and you absolutely can lead your cleaning business with both pride and power.

Listen to the full episode here: Value Statements

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