How Home Service Businesses Can Get More 5-Star Reviews

Getting consistent 5-star reviews is crucial for growing your home service business. Whether you're a plumber, painter, electrician, HVAC technician, or run any trades-based contractor business, online reviews are the lifeblood of your reputation and growth.

But here's the challenge: most customers won't leave a review unless you ask them directly and make it easy. That's why you need a proven system.

Why You Need a Proven Review Process

You might be thinking, "Can't we just wing it and ask for reviews when it feels right?"

The short answer is no. Here's why:

When customers interact with your company, you want them to experience an amazing service every single time. Part of building a successful contracting or trades business is giving customers a predictable, high-quality experience with each interaction.

To achieve this consistency, you need systems—including specific scripts your team uses with clients on every single job site.

The key is to have your technicians, contractors, and field staff follow this process while adding their own unique personality to it. This creates consistency without sounding robotic.

The Four Pillars of Asking for Reviews

When asking for reviews, remember to be:

• Direct - Don't hint around it; ask clearly

• Sincere - Mean it when you say reviews help your business

• Unique - Add your personal touch to the conversation

• Persistent - Follow up! Customers are busy and need friendly reminders

The Two-Part Review Request System

There are two critical touchpoints for requesting reviews:

1. Technicians ask after the work is performed (in-person request)

2. Job follow-up is sent through your CRM (automated reminder)

Both parts work together to maximize your review rate. Let's break down exactly what to say.

Part 1: The In-Person Review Request Process

Your field technicians' interactions with customers are most important at two moments: the beginning (Client Greeting) and the end (Client Exit). Here's the proven script:

Client Greeting - Meet and Greet

When you arrive at the job site:

"Hi Mrs. Jones, I just wanted to let you know we have 2 goals today. Our first goal is to do a great job [washing, painting, servicing, repairing, installing, etc.] your home so that you are completely happy with our work.

Our second goal is that you are so happy with our work that you'll leave us a Google review online. We're a local business here in the community, and positive reviews mean the world to us as it really helps grow our family business!"

Why this works: You're setting expectations upfront and priming the customer to think about leaving a review before the job is even complete.

Client Exit - Closing Up the Job

When wrapping up the service:

"Hi Mrs. Jones, we're just wrapping up our [service] here. Do you want to take a walk-around? We want to make sure you are 100% happy with our job."

Wait for their response. If Mrs. Jones walks around and confirms she's happy with the work, continue to the review request:

"Thank you again so much for hiring us. I wanted to follow up on our 2 goals for today. Would you be able to do us that favor and leave us that positive review online?"

When they say yes:

"That is so great, thank you so much. What will happen next is you will be texted and emailed a link to leave us that review. It will only take 1-2 minutes of your time."

Part 2: Automated CRM Follow-Up

Having automation through your CRM will dramatically increase the number of reviews you receive. A simple, friendly text or email reminder can turn a verbal "yes" into an actual published review.

Here's an example of effective follow-up messaging:

Subject: Quick favor - leave us a review? 🙂

Hi [Customer Name],

Thank you for choosing [Your Company] for your recent [service type]. We hope you're thrilled with the results!

As a local contractor serving the [your area] community, reviews from customers like you help our small business grow and help other homeowners find reliable service.

Would you take 2 minutes to share your experience?

[LINK TO REVIEW PLATFORM]

Thank you so much for your support!

[Your Name]
[Your Company]

Having a streamlined system like the 5-Star Magic Funnel can automate this entire process for you, making it simple to collect reviews consistently.

What If Your Customer Doesn't Have a Google Email?

Not everyone uses Gmail, and that's okay. If your customer doesn't have a Google email address, you have options:

• Ask for a review on another platform - Facebook, Yelp, or industry-specific review sites

• Request a written testimonial - Ask them to send you a paragraph about their experience that you can use for marketing materials, website content, and social media

Every piece of positive feedback has value, even if it's not on Google.

The Bottom Line for Contractors and Trades Businesses

For plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors, painters, landscapers, and other home service professionals, reviews are your digital word-of-mouth. They build trust, improve your local SEO rankings, and directly impact your bottom line.

The difference between businesses that have dozens of 5-star reviews and those that don't isn't the quality of their work—it's having a proven system in place.

Implement this two-part process today:

1. Train your team on the client greeting and exit scripts

2. Set up automated follow-up through your CRM

When you combine direct in-person requests with consistent automated reminders, you'll see your review count—and your business—grow significantly.

Ready to streamline your review collection process? Check out the 5-Star Magic Funnel to automate your review requests and watch your reputation soar.

Need help implementing a review system for your contracting or trades business? Get in touch with Quest Systems today and start building the 5-star reputation your quality work deserves.