Day 11 of 20 · AI for Trades
Getting Five-Star Reviews
⏱ 7 min
📊 Beginner
Let's talk about the one thing that separates tradespeople who are fully booked from those who are scrambling for work: reviews. On every platform — RatedPeople, Checkatrade, Thumbtack, Angi, hipages, Google — reviews are the single biggest factor in whether a customer picks up the phone or keeps scrolling.
A tradesperson with 50 five-star reviews will get more leads than one with 5 reviews, even if the second person is more skilled. It is not fair, but it is reality. The good news is that getting reviews is a system, not luck. And AI makes that system almost effortless.
Why Most Tradespeople Don't Get Enough Reviews
The work is done. The customer is happy. They shake your hand, say "brilliant job, mate," and you pack up your tools. Two weeks later, still no review.
Here is the truth: happy customers do not leave reviews unless you ask them. It is not because they are ungrateful. It is because they are busy, they forget, or they simply do not think of it. The only people who leave reviews unprompted are the unhappy ones.
The fix is simple: you need to ask. But the way you ask, and when you ask, makes all the difference.
The golden window is 1-24 hours after completing the job. Any sooner feels pushy. Any later and they have moved on mentally. The best moment is right after you have cleaned up, they have seen the finished work, and they are at peak satisfaction. That is when you send the message.
AI-Written Review Request Messages
Asking for a review can feel awkward. You do not want to seem needy or desperate. This is where AI shines — it writes messages that are friendly, natural, and not at all pushy. You can get versions for text, email, and WhatsApp depending on how you communicate with your customers.
The best review requests have three elements: a thank you, a specific mention of the work you did, and a direct link to where they can leave the review. Do not make them search for it. The fewer clicks between your message and the review box, the more reviews you will get.
Here is a pro tip: ask AI to write different versions for different job types. A message after a quick tap repair should feel different from one after a two-week kitchen renovation. The tone should match the scale of the job.
I'm a plumber and I just finished a big bathroom installation for a customer called Sarah. The job took 6 days. Can you write me a WhatsApp message asking for a review on Google? Keep it warm and natural, not salesy.
Here's a WhatsApp message you can send:
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Hi Sarah, just wanted to say thanks again for having me in to do the bathroom — it was a great project and I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I hope you're enjoying the new shower! 🚿
If you've got a spare minute, I'd really appreciate it if you could leave me a quick Google review. It makes a huge difference for a small business like mine.
Here's the link: [your Google review link]
No worries at all if you're busy — I just appreciate the work! Cheers, [Your Name]
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This keeps it personal by referencing the specific job, appreciative without being desperate, and makes it easy with a direct link.
↻ Replay conversation
Responding to Reviews — The Good and The Bad
Getting reviews is only half the job. Responding to them is equally important. Customers who are reading your reviews are also reading your replies. A thoughtful response to a positive review shows you care. A calm, professional response to a negative review shows you are trustworthy.
For positive reviews, keep it short and grateful. Thank them by name, mention something specific about the job, and say you would be happy to help again. It takes 30 seconds and makes your profile look active and engaged.
For negative reviews, the stakes are higher. Never argue. Never get defensive. Even if the review is unfair, your response is not for that customer — it is for every future customer reading it. Acknowledge the issue, explain what happened if appropriate, and offer to make it right. A calm, professional reply to a bad review can actually win you more work than the review loses.
I got a 2-star review from a customer who said my team left mess after a loft insulation job. We did clean up but missed some dust on the landing. Can you write a professional response? I also got a 5-star review from a customer after a boiler install. Can you write a reply for that too?
**Reply to the 5-star review:**
Thanks so much, [Name] — it was a pleasure fitting your new boiler. Glad it's keeping the house toasty! Don't hesitate to get in touch if you ever need anything. Always happy to help. 👍
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**Reply to the 2-star review:**
Hi [Name], thanks for taking the time to leave feedback. I'm sorry to hear the clean-up wasn't up to scratch — that's not the standard I aim for and I take it seriously.
The loft insulation work itself went well, but you're right that some dust was left on the landing, and I apologise for that. I've spoken to the team about being more thorough with the final clean, and we've updated our end-of-job checklist to make sure this doesn't happen again.
If there's anything I can do to put this right, please get in touch directly. I'd genuinely like to make it up to you.
---
The 5-star reply is warm and brief. The 2-star reply acknowledges the issue without being defensive, shows you've taken action, and offers a resolution — which looks great to anyone reading it.
↻ Replay conversation
Knowledge Check
What is the best time to ask a customer for a review?
A
Within 1-24 hours of completing the work
B
Only if they mention it first
C
A month after the job is done
D
Before you start the job to remind them
The golden window is 1-24 hours after job completion, when the customer has seen the finished result and satisfaction is at its peak. Any later and they are likely to forget.
Knowledge Check
What three elements should a review request message include?
A
Your full price list, insurance details, and qualifications
B
A thank you, a specific mention of the work done, and a direct review link
C
Just the review link with no other text
D
A discount offer, a deadline, and a threat to follow up
The best review requests thank the customer, reference the specific job to make it personal, and provide a direct link so they can leave the review with minimal effort.
Reviews are a system, not luck. Ask at the right time, make it easy, and watch your profile grow.
Knowledge Check
How should you respond to a negative review?
A
Ignore it and hope nobody sees it
B
Report it and demand the platform removes it
C
Acknowledge the issue calmly, explain what happened, and offer to make it right
D
Argue with the customer and explain why they are wrong
Your response to a negative review is really for every future customer reading it. A calm, professional reply that acknowledges the issue and offers a solution builds more trust than a perfect score with no responses.
🔧
Day 11 Complete
"Happy customers do not leave reviews by default. You need to ask — and AI makes the asking effortless."
Tomorrow — Day 12
Local SEO — Getting Found
Reviews bring repeat customers. But what about new ones who have never heard of you? Learn how to get your business showing up on Google Maps and local search.