What is the best way to ask for a Google review as a tradie?

Send a text immediately after finishing the job with a direct Google review link. Keep the message personal and brief — no corporate language. Something like: "Hi [Name], thanks for having me out today. If you're happy with the work, a quick Google review would be a huge help: [link]." The timing and personal tone do most of the work.

Is it OK to ask customers for Google reviews?

Yes — Google actively encourages businesses to ask customers for reviews. The only rules are: don't offer incentives (discounts, cash, gifts) in exchange for reviews, and don't ask someone to change or remove a negative review. Simply asking is completely within Google's guidelines.

How many times should I follow up if a customer doesn't leave a review?

One polite follow-up after 3–5 days is reasonable. Beyond that, let it go. A customer who didn't review after two asks is unlikely to review after a third — and following up too many times risks annoying someone who was otherwise happy with your work. Quality of relationship matters more than squeezing every possible review.

Should I ask for Google reviews in person or by text?

Both work — but text converts better for tradies because it includes the direct link. An in-person ask is powerful for building the initial intent ("would you mind leaving us a review?") followed immediately by sending the link to their phone while you're still there. The combination of in-person ask + instant text link is the highest-converting approach.

What should I say to get customers to leave a detailed Google review?

After your standard review request, add a simple prompt: "If you want to mention what we did or where you're based, that helps future customers find us." This naturally encourages the reviewer to include your trade, the suburb, and the type of work — which adds keyword-rich content to your review and helps Google understand your business.

Logan McLaughlin·4 June 2026

How to Ask Customers for Reviews: Templates for Tradies

The best way to ask for a Google review as a tradie is a short, personal text sent within an hour of finishing the job — with a direct review link included. Most tradies never ask at all. Those who use a consistent system generate 10–20× more reviews than those who rely on customers volunteering them unprompted.

Most tradies don't have a review problem — they have an asking problem. Happy customers don't automatically leave reviews. They need to be asked, at the right time, with the right message, and a link that makes it effortless.

This guide gives you the exact words to use — by text, email, in person, and at the end of a call — so you can start getting reviews from every job.

Why Most Tradies Don't Get Enough Reviews (and It's Not the Customer's Fault)

Customers who are happy with your work genuinely mean to leave a review. Then life happens. They forget. They can't remember how to find your Google listing. The process feels like more effort than it's worth.

Your job is to make it as easy as possible at the moment they're most likely to do it — right after the job, when they're pleased with the result and you're still present.

The three things that kill review conversion

Waiting too long to ask — every hour after the job reduces the chance of a review
Not sending a direct link — "search Google for us" loses most potential reviewers before they start
Making the message sound like a corporate email — stiff, formal language doesn't match how tradies normally communicate with customers

Text Message Templates (Highest Converting for Tradies)

Text messages have 90%+ open rates. For tradies, where customer relationships are usually personal and conducted by phone, text is the most natural and effective channel.

Standard post-job text (use this for 90% of jobs)

Hi [Name], thanks for having me out today. If you're happy with the work, a quick Google review would mean a lot — it helps other locals find us: [YOUR REVIEW LINK]

Variation — for larger or longer jobs

Hi [Name], really glad we got that sorted for you. If you're happy with how everything turned out, I'd really appreciate a Google review when you get a moment: [YOUR REVIEW LINK] — thanks so much.

Variation — for emergency jobs

Hi [Name], hope you're all sorted now. If we got you out of trouble today, a Google review would be a huge help for us: [YOUR REVIEW LINK]. Thanks and glad we could fix it quickly.

Follow-up text (send 4 days later if no review)

Hi [Name], just checking in — hope everything's still going well after the job. If you had a moment to leave us a Google review, here's the link: [YOUR REVIEW LINK]. No worries if not — appreciate your time either way.

Email Templates (Use When You Have Email, Not Phone)

Email works but converts at lower rates than text. Use it when you have the customer's email but not a mobile number, or for commercial clients where text might feel too casual.

Standard post-job email

Subject: Thanks for choosing [Business Name]
Hi [Name],
Thanks for having us out — it was good to meet you and get that sorted.
If you're happy with the work and have a spare two minutes, a Google review would be a huge help for us. Here's a direct link so it's quick and easy: [YOUR REVIEW LINK]
Thanks again,
[Your name]
[Business name]
[Phone]

In-Person Ask (Say This Before You Leave)

The most powerful review request is in person — because you can read the customer's reaction and send the link immediately while you're there. Use this at the end of every job before you leave.

"Cheers [Name] — really glad we could sort that out. We're building up our Google reviews at the moment — if you're happy with the work, would you mind leaving us one? I can send the link to your phone right now if that's easier."

Then send the text template while you're still there. The in-person ask + immediate link is the highest-converting combination.

Getting Your Google Review Link

To get your direct Google review link:

Log into your Google Business Profile at business.google.com
In the left menu, click "Ask for reviews"
Copy the short link provided — this goes directly to your review form
Save it in your phone's notes so you can paste it into texts instantly

What Happens When You Ask Consistently

Dan from Linked Electrical on Auckland's North Shore went from 12 reviews to 44 in 4 days using Operator's automated review system. Before, he was 6th most-reviewed electrician on the North Shore. After, he was 3rd — and his Google Business Profile visibility increased with it.

The difference wasn't the quality of his work (that was always high). It was asking consistently, at the right time, with the right message.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the broader strategy around Google reviews, read How to Get More Google Reviews as a Tradie. For GBP setup and optimisation, see Google Business Profile for Tradies: The Complete Setup Guide.