For home services companies—whether you’re a roofer, mover, plumber, or HVAC technician—online reviews are one of the most powerful ways to attract new customers.
Homeowners rely on trust when hiring contractors, and reviews are a key factor in their decision-making process. In fact:
✔ 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations
✔ Businesses with a 4.5+ star rating get significantly more leads than lower-rated competitors
✔ A steady stream of five-star reviews improves search rankings, making it easier for new customers to find you
But while happy customers often forget to leave reviews, frustrated ones rarely hesitate to share their complaints. That’s why home service businesses need a system in place to generate more positive reviews consistently.
Here’s how you can drive more five-star reviews and turn them into a competitive advantage for your business.
1. Set Clear Expectations from the Start
The most common reason customers leave negative reviews isn’t bad service—it’s unmet expectations. If they expect one thing and experience another, frustration follows.
✔ Be upfront about pricing – Surprise fees = unhappy customers. Provide detailed, itemized estimates so they know exactly what to expect.
✔ Explain the service process – Whether it’s a roof replacement, HVAC install, or a local move, walk customers through the process before you begin.
✔ Give realistic timelines – If a roofing job takes a week, don’t promise two days. Setting accurate expectations prevents disappointment.
Why it works: Transparency builds trust and ensures homeowners aren’t caught off guard—leading to better reviews.
2. Make the Review Process Quick and Easy
Even happy customers don’t always leave reviews—unless you make it effortless for them.
✔ Send a direct link – Nobody wants to search for your business on Google. Send them a one-click review link via text or email.
✔ Use email & text follow-ups – A friendly reminder boosts response rates.
✔ Give simple instructions – Tell them where to leave a review and what to mention (ex: “We’d love if you shared your experience with our punctuality and professionalism!”).
Example Email:
Subject: “Loved Our Service? A Quick Review Would Mean the World!”
Body:
“Hi [Customer’s Name],
We’re so glad we could help with your [service type]! If you had a great experience, we’d really appreciate a quick review. It takes less than a minute and helps homeowners like you find a trusted provider.
Click here to leave a review: [Google Review Link]
Thanks again! We truly appreciate your support.
– [Your Company Name]”
Why it works: The simpler you make it, the more reviews you’ll get.
3. Follow Up Automatically to Capture More Reviews
Not every customer will leave a review on the first request—and that’s okay. Some just need a gentle reminder.
✔ Send a second request if they haven’t responded in 3-5 days.
✔ Use text messages – SMS gets higher response rates than email.
✔ Personalize the follow-up – Mention their project specifically to make it feel genuine.
Example: A moving company could set up an automated sequence like this:
- Day 1: “Thanks for choosing us! Leave a review here.”
- Day 5: “Forgot to leave a review? We’d love to hear from you!”
- Day 14: “Last chance! Your feedback helps us improve.”
Why it works: Automated follow-ups increase your review volume without extra effort.
4. Turn Potential Bad Reviews into Five-Star Experiences
No business is perfect, but how you handle small issues can determine whether a customer leaves a 1-star or 5-star review.
✔ Check in before they leave a review – A follow-up call after the job gives them a chance to express concerns privately.
✔ Resolve issues quickly – If something isn’t perfect, fix it before they go public with complaints.
✔ Encourage direct feedback – “If anything didn’t meet your expectations, please let us know—we want to make it right!”
Example: A roofing customer mentions a small issue during a follow-up call. Instead of ignoring it, the company fixes it immediately and follows up with, “We’d love if you could share your experience in a review!”
Why it works: Addressing concerns before they become public reviews helps maintain a strong reputation.
5. Showcase Your Five-Star Reviews Everywhere
Once you start collecting great reviews, use them to attract even more customers.
✔ Feature reviews on your website – Add testimonials to your homepage and service pages.
✔ Share reviews on social media – Turn five-star feedback into posts that highlight your best work.
✔ Include reviews in email marketing – Show potential customers what others are saying about your service.
Why it works: Seeing real customer experiences builds trust—leading to more conversions and booked jobs.
Final Thoughts: More Five-Star Reviews = More Business
In the home services industry, reputation is everything. The more five-star reviews you have, the easier it is to gain trust, attract leads, and book more jobs.
✔ Set clear expectations to prevent negative surprises.
✔ Deliver outstanding service to earn genuine five-star ratings.
✔ Make leaving reviews easy by providing direct links and personal requests.
✔ Follow up automatically to capture more positive feedback.
✔ Turn reviews into a marketing tool to drive even more business.