How to get more Google reviews as a contractor
Short answer: ask every customer, by text, within a few hours of finishing the job, with a direct link. Then send one reminder. That's most of it.
By Steve Clune, Back Office Bot · Updated November 14, 2026
The system: finish the job, text the customer your direct Google review link that same day, send one reminder three days later, and reply to every review within a week.
1. Get your direct review link
In your Google Business Profile, look for "Ask for reviews" or "Get more reviews." Google gives you a short link that opens the review box directly. Customers who have to search for you and find the review button usually give up.
2. Ask the same day
The best moment is right after the work is done, when the customer is happy and the job is fresh. Asking a month later gets a fraction of the response. If you can, ask in person first ("Would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? I'll text you the link"), then send the text.
3. Keep the text short
Something like:
Hi Dana, this is Mike with Summit Plumbing. Thanks for having us out today. If you have a minute, a quick Google review helps a small business like ours a lot: [link]
Use their name and yours. Skip the paragraph about how much reviews mean to you.
4. Send one reminder, then stop
About three days later, a single follow-up catches the people who meant to do it and forgot. After that, let it go.
5. What not to do
- Don't filter who you ask. Sending a survey first and only passing happy customers to Google is called review gating, and Google's policies prohibit it.
- Don't pay or reward reviews. No discounts, gift cards or drawings in exchange for a review. The FTC's 2024 rule on fake reviews covers this, along with fake and suppressed reviews.
- Don't write reviews for customers or have family and employees post them.
- Don't ask everyone from one tablet at your shop. A burst of reviews from one location can get filtered.
6. Reply to every review
Thank good reviews by name and mention the job. For bad ones, stay calm, own what you can, and offer to make it right offline. Future customers read your replies as closely as the reviews.
Automate it
The hard part isn't knowing this. It's doing it after every single job. Our review engine sends the text and the reminder automatically and drafts your replies.
Questions owners ask
How many Google reviews does a contractor need?
More than your top local competitors, and recent ones. Customers notice when the newest review is a year old.
Can I ask for reviews by email instead of text?
Yes, but text usually gets far more responses for home-service customers. Use both if you can.
Is it okay to remind customers twice?
One reminder is plenty. More than that starts to feel like pressure.
Want us to check your setup for free?
We call your business after hours, see what your customers hear, and show you what BOB would do instead. Free, about 15 minutes, no pressure.
Rather talk now? Call (913) 530-8133. You'll get Steve, the owner.