How to Get More Google Reviews for Your Contracting Business

Google reviews are the most powerful trust signal for local contractors.

When a homeowner searches for a plumber, HVAC tech, or electrician, they see star ratings immediately. A business with 4.8 stars and 150 reviews wins over one with 3.5 stars and 12 reviews—every time.

But most contractors do not ask for reviews consistently. They leave this crucial marketing channel to chance.

This guide shows you how to build a review machine that generates 5-star Google reviews consistently.

Why Google Reviews Matter

Let us start with the data:

Impact on consumer behavior:

• 93% of consumers read online reviews before hiring


• 84% trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations


• Businesses with 50+ reviews get 266% more leads


• A one-star improvement can increase revenue by 5-9%

Impact on Google ranking:

• Reviews are a top local ranking factor


• More reviews = higher visibility


• Recent reviews matter more than old ones


• Review keywords can help SEO

The trust equation:
For contractors, Google reviews often matter more than for other businesses. You are asking people to let you into their homes. Reviews provide the social proof needed to take that leap.

The Review Reality for Most Contractors

Here is what typically happens:

Without a system:

• Happy customers forget to leave reviews


• Only upset customers are motivated to post


• Average rating suffers


• Review volume stays low


• Competitors with more reviews win

With a system:

• Every customer gets asked


• Happy customers are reminded


• Positive reviews dominate


• Volume builds over time


• You outrank competitors

The difference is not luck. It is having a process.

Building Your Review System

Step 1: Set Up Your Review Link

Make it dead simple for customers to leave reviews.

Get your direct review link:

Search your business name on Google

Click your Google Business Profile

Click "Get more reviews" button

Copy the short link provided

Or create it: `https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=[YOUR_PLACE_ID]`

Find your Place ID:

Go to Google Maps

Search your business

Copy the string after "place/" in the URL

Save this link—you will use it constantly.

Step 2: Determine Your Ask Timing

Timing is everything. Ask at the wrong moment and you get ignored or worse.

Best time to ask:

• Right after job completion


• When customer expresses satisfaction


• While positive emotions are fresh

Good indicators it is time:

• "Thanks so much!"


• "Great job!"


• Compliments on your work


• Asking about future services

Bad times to ask:

• During the job


• When there were any complications


• If customer seems unhappy


• Right after discussing payment

The sweet spot: 1-4 hours after successful completion.

Step 3: The Ask Itself

There are two approaches: in-person and follow-up.

In-person ask (most effective):

After completing the job, when the customer is happy:

"I'm really glad we could help! If you have a minute, it would mean a lot if you could share your experience on Google. Reviews help small businesses like ours more than anything. I can text you a link that goes straight there—takes about 30 seconds."

Then immediately send the text with your direct link.

Follow-up ask (automated):

Send a text 2-4 hours after job completion:

"Hi [Name], it was great helping with your [service] today! If you have a moment, we'd really appreciate a Google review. It only takes 30 seconds: [LINK]. Thank you! - [Your name], [Company]"

Step 4: Make It Effortless

The easier you make it, the more reviews you get.

Do:

• Send direct link (not "find us on Google")


• Use text, not email (opens faster)


• Keep the message short


• Send from a real person

Do not:

• Make them search for you


• Send a long message


• Include multiple links


• Use generic company signature

One tap should take them directly to the review form.

Step 5: Automate the Process

Manual asking is inconsistent. Automation is not.

Options for automation:

CRM built-in:

• Jobber, Housecall Pro, and others have review request features


• Trigger after job marked complete


• Customize message and timing

Dedicated tools:

• Birdeye, Podium, GatherUp


• More features but additional cost


• Better tracking and analytics

DIY automation:

• Zapier + SMS tool


• Trigger on invoice sent


• Simple but effective

Whatever you use, make sure every completed job triggers a review request.

Step 6: Follow Up (Once)

Some customers intend to leave a review but forget.

One follow-up is okay:

Send 2-3 days after the first request if no review:

"Hi [Name], just a quick follow-up—if you had a good experience with us, a Google review would really help out. Here's the link: [LINK]. No worries if not—thanks again for choosing us!"

Do not:

• Send more than one follow-up


• Make them feel pressured


• Ask multiple times in person

Respect their decision if they do not respond.

Responding to Reviews

Getting reviews is half the battle. Responding is the other half.

Responding to Positive Reviews

Always respond to positive reviews. It shows you care.

Template:
"Thank you [Name]! We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was a pleasure helping with your [service]. Please reach out if you ever need anything else—we're always here to help!"

Tips:

• Personalize when possible


• Mention the specific service


• Keep it genuine


• Respond within 24-48 hours

Responding to Negative Reviews

Negative reviews happen. How you respond matters more than the review itself.

Template:
"We're sorry to hear your experience didn't meet expectations, [Name]. This isn't the standard we strive for. We'd like the opportunity to make this right. Please contact us at [phone/email] so we can address your concerns directly."

Tips:

• Respond within 24 hours


• Never argue or get defensive


• Acknowledge their frustration


• Move conversation offline


• Do not offer incentives publicly

Many customers will update their review after a good resolution.

Do Not Ignore Reviews

Unanswered reviews signal:

• You do not care about customer feedback


• You are not monitoring your reputation


• You might ignore issues

Set a weekly reminder to respond to all new reviews.

Advanced Review Strategies

Strategy 1: Review Cards

Physical cards with QR code to your review link.

• Hand to customer after job


• Leave with invoice


• Include in thank-you packet

QR code makes it one-scan to the review form.

Strategy 2: Photo Ops

Take before/after photos and send to customer.

"Here are the before/after photos of your [service]. If you're happy with the work, we'd love a review: [LINK]"

Photos remind them of the transformation and make the review feel more natural.

Strategy 3: Review Signage

Add to your truck, uniforms, website:

"5-Star Rated on Google"
"See Our 200+ Google Reviews"

Social proof encourages more reviews (and more customers).

Strategy 4: Video Testimonials

Ask happy customers for 30-second video testimonials.

• Use for website and social media


• More powerful than written reviews


• Builds deeper trust

Only ask your best customers who are comfortable on camera.

Strategy 5: Review Monitoring

Set up alerts for new reviews:

• Google Business Profile notifications


• Review management tool alerts


• Google Alerts for your business name

Know immediately when reviews come in so you can respond quickly.

What NOT to Do

These practices violate Google's terms and can get you penalized:

Do not:

• Offer incentives for reviews (discounts, gifts)


• Buy fake reviews


• Review your own business


• Ask employees to review


• Post reviews from customers' accounts


• Use review gating (only asking happy customers)


• Ask for specific star ratings

Google can detect manipulation. Penalties include review removal and profile suspension.

Tracking Your Progress

Monitor these metrics monthly:

Volume:

• Total reviews


• New reviews this month


• Reviews per job completed

Quality:

• Average star rating


• Distribution (5-star vs others)


• Negative review rate

Efficiency:

• Review requests sent


• Reviews received


• Conversion rate

Targets:

• 50+ total reviews (competitive)


• 100+ total reviews (dominant)


• 5-10 new reviews per month


• 4.7+ average rating


• 15-25% request-to-review rate

The Compound Effect

Reviews compound over time:

Month 1: 15 total reviews
Month 6: 50 total reviews (5-10/month)
Month 12: 100+ total reviews
Month 24: 200+ total reviews

At 200+ reviews with a 4.8+ rating, you are untouchable in most markets.

Your competitors cannot catch up overnight. Consistency wins.

Complete Your Customer Experience Stack

Reviews come from great experiences. Make sure you are set up for success:

Answer every call
Missed calls = missed customers = no reviews to get.

Fixly answers calls 24/7, books appointments, $1 per booking.

Follow up professionally
Use CRM to track jobs and automate review requests.

Deliver excellent service
All the review strategies in the world do not fix bad work.

Action Plan

This week:

Get your direct Google review link

Send review requests to last 10 satisfied customers

Set up text template for future requests

This month:

Implement automated review requests

Respond to all existing reviews

Train team on in-person ask

Ongoing:

Review request after every job

Respond to reviews within 48 hours

Track metrics monthly

Target 5-10 new reviews monthly

Final Thoughts

Google reviews are not optional for contractors anymore.

They are how customers choose who to trust with their homes.

The good news: building a review machine is not complicated. It just requires consistency.

Ask every happy customer. Make it easy. Follow up once. Respond to everything.

In 12 months, you will have 100+ reviews that establish you as the trusted choice in your market.

Your competitors are not doing this consistently. That is your advantage.

Start today. Every job without a review request is a missed opportunity.