How to Get More Google Reviews for Plumbers (Without Being Awkward About It)

Let's talk about how to get more Google reviews for plumbers—because nothing says "hire me to fix your toilet" quite like a wall of five-star testimonials from strangers on the internet.

If you've been in the plumbing business for more than five minutes, you already know reviews matter. You've probably also experienced that soul-crushing moment when a customer tells you "I'll definitely leave you a review!" and then... crickets. They meant well. They just got distracted by, well, life. And that TikTok algorithm isn't going to scroll itself.

So how do you actually get customers to follow through? That's what we're covering today. No fluff, no "just provide great service!" platitudes (although, yeah, do that too). Just practical strategies that actually work.

Why Google Reviews Matter More Than Your Cousin's Opinion

Before we dive into the how, let's talk about why this matters beyond "more stars = good."

Google Reviews directly impact your rankings. When someone searches "plumber near me" at 2am because their water heater just decided to cosplay as a fountain, Google has to decide which plumbers to show first. Reviews are a major factor in that decision.

Here's what the data shows:

Businesses with 40+ reviews get 35% more clicks than those with fewer than 10

Star rating is the #1 factor consumers use to judge a business

87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses

A one-star increase can lead to a 5-9% increase in revenue

But here's the thing nobody tells you: it's not just about quantity. Google also looks at:

Recency (recent reviews matter more than old ones)

Velocity (steady stream beats a sudden burst)

Keywords (when customers mention your services naturally)

Response rate (whether you actually engage with reviews)

So if you got 50 reviews in 2019 and nothing since, you're basically showing Google that your business peaked during the same era as fidget spinners.

The Real Reason Customers Don't Leave Reviews

Here's the uncomfortable truth: your customers aren't leaving reviews because you haven't made it easy enough.

It's not that they don't like you. It's not that they're ungrateful. It's that leaving a Google review requires them to:

1. Remember to do it

2. Find your Google Business Profile

3. Actually write something

4. Click submit

That's four whole steps! In a world where people abandon shopping carts because they have to create an account, asking someone to navigate Google's review interface without a direct link is basically asking them to solve a puzzle.

Your job is to eliminate friction. Make it so easy that leaving a review requires less effort than ordering DoorDash.

Step 1: Get the Timing Right

Timing is everything. Ask too early and they haven't experienced your full service. Ask too late and they've already moved on with their lives.

The golden window: immediately after the job is complete and they're happy.

Not "happy" as in "my pipes work." Happy as in "wow, you actually showed up on time, fixed the problem, didn't charge me a fortune, and my house doesn't smell like sewage anymore."

That moment of relief and gratitude? That's your window. Don't let it close.

Best times to ask:

Right after you've explained what you fixed and they're nodding with relief

When they say something positive like "thank you so much!"

After you've cleaned up and shown them everything is working

When they're happily signing off on the invoice

Worst times to ask:

Before the job is done (they don't know if you're good yet)

When they're clearly stressed or in a hurry

Via email two weeks later (they've forgotten who you are)

When something went wrong and you're still fixing it

Step 2: Create a Brain-Dead Simple Review Link

This is non-negotiable. You need a direct link that takes customers straight to the review writing interface.

Here's how to get it:

1. Google your business name

2. Click on your Google Business Profile

3. Click "Write a review"

4. Copy that URL

Or the easier way:

1. Go to Google's Place ID Finder

2. Search for your business

3. Get your Place ID

4. Create your link: `https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=YOUR_PLACE_ID`

Now shorten that ugly URL using Bitly or your website (like yourplumbingcompany.com/review).

Pro tip: Put this link EVERYWHERE:

On your invoice/receipt

In your email signature

On a follow-up text message

On a physical card you hand customers

On your website footer

Step 3: The Ask (Scripts That Actually Work)

Asking for reviews doesn't have to be awkward. Here are scripts that work:

In-Person (Best Option)

After the job is complete and they're happy:

"Hey, I'm really glad we could get this fixed for you. If you have a minute, would you mind leaving us a Google review? It really helps other homeowners find us when they have plumbing emergencies. I'll send you a link right now so you don't have to search for us."

Then pull out your phone and text them the link while you're standing there.

Why this works: It's personal, it explains why reviews matter, and you've eliminated the "I'll do it later" excuse by sending the link immediately.

Text Message Follow-Up

Send within 2 hours of job completion:

"Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] from [Company]. Thanks again for having us out today! If you're happy with our work, we'd really appreciate a quick Google review. Here's a direct link: [LINK]. Thanks!"

Why this works: It's immediate, the link is right there, and it only takes them 30 seconds.

Email Follow-Up

Send same day or next morning:

Subject: Thanks for choosing [Company Name]!

"Hi [Name],

Thank you for trusting us with your plumbing needs today! We hope everything is working perfectly.

If you have a moment, we'd be incredibly grateful if you could share your experience with a Google review. It helps other homeowners in [City] find reliable plumbing help when they need it.

[BUTTON: Leave a Review]

Thanks again,

[Your Name]"

Why this works: Professional, appreciative, and that button makes it dead simple.

Step 4: The Follow-Through System

Most plumbers ask for reviews once and then forget about it. That's like planting a seed and never watering it.

Here's a simple system:

1. Day 0: Ask in person + send text with link

2. Day 1: Send follow-up email (if no review yet)

3. Day 3: One final text reminder (optional)

Don't go beyond three touches. Nobody wants to be harassed, and you don't want to come across as desperate.

Tracking reviews:

Set up Google Alerts for your business name

Check your GBP dashboard weekly

Note which customers left reviews (don't ask them again)

Step 5: Respond to Every Single Review

This is where most plumbers drop the ball. They work hard to get reviews, then ignore them completely.

Responding to reviews shows:

You actually read feedback

You care about customer experience

You're an active, engaged business

For positive reviews:

"Thanks so much, [Name]! We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was a pleasure helping you with your [specific issue]. Don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything!"

For negative reviews:

"Hi [Name], we're sorry to hear about your experience. This isn't the level of service we strive to provide. Please give us a call at [number] so we can make this right."

Never argue in public. Never get defensive. Take it offline.

What NOT to Do (Seriously, Don't)

Let's cover some common mistakes that can actually hurt you:

Don't buy fake reviews

Google will catch you. They have algorithms specifically designed to detect fake reviews. The penalties include:

Review removal

Profile suspension

Permanent reputation damage

Not worth it. Ever.

Don't offer incentives

"Leave us a review and get $10 off your next service!" sounds smart, but it violates Google's terms. Reviews must be unbiased.

What you CAN do: offer great service and make asking for reviews part of your process.

Don't review-gate

Review-gating is when you ask customers if they're happy first, then only send happy customers to Google while directing unhappy ones elsewhere.

Google explicitly prohibits this. If you get caught, your reviews can be removed.

Don't ask everyone at once

Getting 50 reviews in one week looks suspicious. Google may flag sudden spikes as manipulation. Aim for steady growth over time.

Don't ignore bad reviews

A few negative reviews among many positive ones is normal and actually increases trust (people are suspicious of 5.0 ratings). But ignoring complaints makes you look like you don't care.

Bonus: Creative Ways to Generate More Reviews

Once you have the basics down, here are some advanced tactics:

The Photo Finish

Before leaving a job, take a photo of the completed work with the customer's permission. Text it to them with: "Here's a photo of your new [fixture/repair]. If you're happy with how it turned out, we'd love a review!"

The photo reminds them of the quality work and gives them something specific to mention.

The Referral Double-Tap

When someone refers a new customer to you, thank them AND ask for a review if they haven't left one yet: "Thanks for sending [Name] our way! By the way, if you haven't had a chance to leave us a Google review, we'd really appreciate it."

The Job Card

Create a simple card (business card size) that says:

"Loved our service?"

5 stars graphic

QR code linking to your review page

"Scan to leave a review!"

Hand this to every customer as you're wrapping up.

The Check-In Call

For bigger jobs, call customers 3-5 days later to make sure everything is still working great. If they're happy, mention the review. This shows you care AND gives you another chance to ask.

Making It Part of Your Process

The plumbers who get consistent reviews don't rely on willpower or remembering. They build it into their standard operating procedure:

1. Training: Every technician knows how to ask for reviews

2. Tools: Everyone has the review link in their phone

3. Tracking: Someone monitors review counts weekly

4. Recognition: Celebrate technicians who generate the most reviews

When review generation is a system rather than a "when I remember" thing, it actually happens.

The Numbers You Should Aim For

So how many reviews do you actually need?

Minimum viable: 10+ reviews to look credible

Competitive: 30-50 reviews puts you ahead of most local plumbers

Dominant: 100+ reviews with steady growth makes you hard to beat

But remember, it's not just about total count. Focus on:

Maintaining a 4.5+ star average

Getting 2-4 new reviews per month (minimum)

Responding to all reviews within a week

Wrapping Up

Getting more Google reviews isn't complicated. It's about:

1. Timing your ask when customers are happiest

2. Making the review process brain-dead simple

3. Following up without being annoying

4. Responding to every review you receive

5. Building it into your standard process

The plumbers who dominate local search aren't necessarily better at plumbing than you. They're just better at asking for reviews and making it easy.

Ready to build a review generation system for your plumbing business? Check out our local SEO services or get a free audit to see where you stand.

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Word count: ~2,000 words. Last updated: December 2025.