How to get more Google reviews as a contractor

What Google allows and what it bans

Before you build a review habit, know the rules, because breaking them can get reviews removed. Google's prohibited and restricted content policy says businesses may not:

• Offer incentives, such as payment, discounts, or free goods or services, in exchange for reviews.
• Selectively solicit positive reviews from customers. This is what people call review gating: a "How did we do?" survey that sends happy customers to Google and unhappy ones to a private form.
• Discourage or prohibit negative reviews.
• Post reviews based on a conflict of interest, such as current or former employees reviewing the business.

Google's own tips for getting more reviews repeat that incentives are strictly prohibited, and suggest asking customers to visit a Google link or scan a QR code. The FTC's Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule, in effect since October 21, 2024, separately bans fake reviews and review suppression by threats or intimidation, and the FTC says asking only happy customers could still violate the FTC Act.

Yelp is stricter than Google. Its Don't Ask for Reviews page tells businesses not to ask anyone for reviews at all. So point your review request at Google, and let Yelp reviews come on their own.

When to ask

The best moment is the minute the problem is gone and the customer can see it: water is running hot, the AC is blowing cold, the panel is labeled and the lights are on. Memory and goodwill fade fast. A review ask sent three days later competes with everything else on the customer's phone.

• At the door: the tech asks out loud while walking the customer through the finished work.
• Within the hour: a short text or email with the direct review link.
• One reminder, max: if nothing comes in, one gentle nudge two or three days later, then stop.

For multi-day jobs like a re-roof or a remodel, ask at the final walkthrough, not on day one.

The scripts

The tech at the door

"Ava, you're all set. Hot water is back and I've cleaned up. One favor: we're a local shop and Google reviews are how neighbors find us. You'll get a text from us in a few minutes with a link. If you have a minute tonight, an honest review would really help."

Note the word "honest". It keeps the ask inside the rules and it sounds more believable.

The follow-up text

"Hi Ava, it's Harbor Line Plumbing. Thanks for having Taylor out today for the water heater. If you have a minute, an honest Google review helps other neighbors find us: [your review link]. Reply STOP to opt out."

Keep it inside texting rules too. The CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices say a customer should agree to texts for a specific purpose when they give you their number, and that opt-outs like "stop" or "cancel" must be honored. Only text customers who gave you their mobile number for job updates, say who you are in the first line, and never add a coupon to the review text. A discount in a review ask is both an incentive Google bans and a promotion that needs stronger written consent under the CTIA guidance.

The email

Subject: "Thanks from Harbor Line Plumbing". Body: two sentences of thanks naming the work done, the review link as a button, and your phone number in case anything isn't right.

Get the right link

Google gives every Business Profile a direct review link and QR code. Google's help page says to open your profile, select Read Reviews, then Get more reviews, and copy the link. QR codes can currently only be made from a computer browser. Print the QR code on leave-behind cards and invoices, and put the link in your texts and emails. Test it on a phone that isn't signed in to your business account.

Worked example: what asking everyone does

These numbers are an example, not industry data. Say your shop finishes 80 jobs a month and about 1 in 5 customers who get a same-day ask actually leaves a review.

The rate per customer did not change. Only the number of asks did. That is why the system matters more than the wording.

Reply to every review

Google's tips say to reply to reviews, keep replies conversational rather than promotional, and never share a reviewer's private information. For a five-star review, thank them by first name and mention the job type. For a bad review:

1. Reply within a day, calmly, without arguing the details in public.
2. Own anything that was your fault.
3. Offer a way to fix it offline: "Please call me directly at the shop and ask for Sam."
4. Fix it, then let the customer decide whether to update the review. Never ask them to remove it in exchange for anything.

Common mistakes

• Sending a satisfaction survey first and the Google link only to people who score you high.
• A $10 gift card or a free filter for a review.
• Asking staff or family to post reviews.
• Waiting a week to ask.
• A long text with three links. One link, one ask.
• Ignoring reviews, especially the bad ones that prospects read first.

How SWITCHBOARD handles this

In SWITCHBOARD every finished job gets a review ask, so nobody has to remember, and it goes to every customer rather than a filtered few. New Google reviews land back in the app with a reply drafted by Switch for you to edit and approve. Happy customers are also your best source of referrals, and the job photos behind a good review make strong marketing posts. You can try the flow in the sandbox with no sign-up.

Sources

• Prohibited & restricted content - Maps user-generated content policy (checked November 10, 2026)
• Tips to get more Google reviews - Google Business Profile Help (checked November 10, 2026)
• Create a Google link or QR code to request reviews - Google Business Profile Help (checked November 10, 2026)
• Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule: Questions and Answers - FTC (checked November 10, 2026)
• Don't Ask for Reviews - Yelp Support Center (checked November 10, 2026)
• CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices (May 2023) (checked November 10, 2026)