How to Get More Google Reviews (A Contractor's System)

By Michael Carpenter · June 22, 2026 · Updated October 8, 2026

How to Get More Google Reviews (A Contractor's System)

I hear this one constantly from contractors. You finish a job, the customer's pleased, and you move on to the next one. A week later you remember to ask for a review, and by then it's harder to get them to follow through.

Meanwhile, a competitor has 40 reviews to your 3.

Better work won't close that gap on its own. It's a timing and systems problem. Asking gets forgotten, delayed, or feels awkward to bring up in person.

This guide lays out the whole system in five steps: get your review link, ask every customer, follow up once, reply to every review, and track your numbers. Then it covers Google's rules, so you know what's allowed.

Where contractors stand on reviews

If your count is low, you're not alone. Our study of Texas contractors found that 235 of 513 contractors (45.8%) in the sample have fewer than 10 Google reviews. See the research for the breakdown by trade and metro.

Want to know how many reviews a target rating would take? The Google review calculator does the math.

If you're not showing up on Google Maps at all, that's a separate problem. Here's why it happens and how to fix it.

The system in five steps

1. Get your review link and QR code. Don't ask customers to search for you and hunt for the review button. Send the link that opens straight to your review box. You can copy that link, or save a QR code, from your Business Profile. The steps are in our guide on how to ask customers for reviews.

2. Ask every customer, the same day. Ask while the job is fresh, before you leave or that evening. Ask everyone, not just the customers you expect to be pleased. Ask in person, then text the link so it's one tap. Not sure what to say? The review request text generator writes a message for your trade, and the asking guide has 14 scripts.

3. Follow up once. If you don't hear back, send one follow-up three to five days later. Then stop. More than one starts to feel like pressure. The asking guide has two follow-up scripts.

4. Reply to every review. Reply to the good ones, the bad ones and the old ones you missed. How to respond to Google reviews covers the method. 25 positive review examples help with the good ones, and how to respond to negative reviews covers bad and fake ones.

5. Track your numbers. Count the requests you send and the reviews you get each month. The review calculator shows how many reviews a target rating takes. Our 513-contractor study shows where you stand against other Texas contractors.

Want help with the asking? Forge creates your direct Google review link, sends review requests by text or email, and sends one automatic follow-up to customers who haven't responded. Start your 14-day free trial.

Stay inside Google's rules (and the FTC's)

Google wants reviews from real customers about real jobs. Its review policy allows you to "Solicit or encourage the posting of content that does represent a genuine experience". The same line adds: "without offering incentives to do so or attempting to influence the rating or the contents of the review."

Under that policy, you can't:

  • offer incentives "such as payment, discounts, free goods and/or services" for a review, or for changing or removing a negative one;
  • "Discourage or prohibit negative reviews, or selectively solicit positive reviews from customers";
  • "require or pressure users to leave ratings or write reviews while on the premises";
  • "request that specific content be included" in a review;
  • set staff review quotas. "Merchants requesting that staff solicit a certain number of reviews" is on Google's list.

The premises line is about a business's own location. We'd apply the same courtesy in a customer's home: ask, then leave them to it.

What happens with fake or incentivized reviews. If Google finds a breach of its fake engagement rules, it removes those reviews and can restrict your profile. Its restrictions page gives examples:

  • "Business Profile will not be able to receive new reviews or ratings for set period of time"
  • existing reviews "will be unpublished for set period of time"
  • "Business Profile will display a warning to let consumers know that fake reviews were removed"

Google says it notifies owners by email first, and "Businesses have the ability to appeal our decision."

The FTC's side. The FTC's rule on consumer reviews "went into effect on October 21, 2024". It "authorizes courts to impose civil penalties for knowing violations." From the FTC's questions and answers for businesses:

  • Paying for 5-star reviews. The FTC was asked whether a business can pay incentives for 5-star reviews on third-party platforms if reviewers disclose them. Its answer: "No. That conduct would violate Section 465.4."
  • Asking only the customers you think are happy. The rule "does not contain a specific prohibition against such conduct. But this practice could violate the FTC Act."
  • Incentives in general. The rule "does not prohibit giving incentives for reviews" unless there's "an express or implied requirement" that reviews "express a particular sentiment". The FTC adds that "failing to disclose incentives could be a violation of the FTC Act." Google's rule is stricter: no incentives at all for Google reviews.

The FTC says its staff guidance "isn't definitive or comprehensive". This section isn't legal advice. If you're unsure about a specific practice, ask a lawyer.

Common mistakes that cost you reviews

Waiting until the invoice is paid. Ask when the job is done, not when the invoice is paid. The best moment is while the customer is looking at the finished work.

Asking in person only. A customer can mean to do it and still forget once they're back to their day. A text with the direct link lets them act now or come back to it later.

Sending the request from an unknown number. Send it from your business number, or put your name and business name in the first line.

Asking only the customers you think are pleased. Google's policy says you can't "selectively solicit positive reviews from customers." Ask every customer.

Offering a discount or a freebie. Google bans incentives for reviews. See the rules above.

Asking for five stars. Ask for an honest review instead. Google only allows asking without "attempting to influence the rating or the contents of the review." See the rules above.

Every Forge review guide, in one place

Asking for reviews

Replying to reviews

Your numbers

More review guides

Choosing a review tool

The bigger picture

The takeaway

Asking is the part you control. It doesn't take better work. It takes asking at the right moment, every time, instead of remembering days too late.

Your work already earns the review. And when a bad one shows up anyway, how you respond matters too.

Keep your profile active alongside your reviews. Here's how often to update your Google Business Profile. If you work in a big metro, see our look at Dallas HVAC "near me" searches.

Review Collection by Trade and City

Find your trade and market:

HVAC: Dallas · Houston · San Antonio · Austin · Fort Worth

Plumbing: Dallas · Houston · San Antonio · Austin · Fort Worth

Electrical: Dallas · Houston · San Antonio · Austin · Fort Worth

Roofing: Dallas · Houston · San Antonio · Austin · Fort Worth

Landscaping: Dallas · Houston · San Antonio · Austin · Fort Worth

For how reviews fit your wider search reputation, see reputation management SEO. For where else to collect reviews, see the best review sites for contractors.

Try Forge Free for 14 Days

Forge helps contractors get more Google reviews, respond to leads faster, and rank higher on Google Maps — without hiring a marketing agency or learning complicated software. No contracts, cancel anytime.

Start your free 14-day trial → · Founder's Rate: 50% off the Pro plan for life, for the first 100 customers. Enter FORGE50 at checkout.

FAQs

How many Google reviews should a contractor have?

There's no single right number. For context, our study found that 235 of 513 contractors (45.8%) in the sample have fewer than 10 Google reviews (see the research). To see how many reviews a target rating takes, use the review calculator.

Is it legal to ask customers for a Google review?

On Google, asking is allowed. Google's review policy allows you to "Solicit or encourage the posting of content that does represent a genuine experience". The same line adds: "without offering incentives to do so or attempting to influence the rating or the contents of the review." Google also bars selectively asking for positive reviews, pressuring customers to review while on your premises, requesting specific content and staff review quotas. On the legal side, the FTC says its rule "does not contain a specific prohibition" on asking only customers you think are happy. It adds: "But this practice could violate the FTC Act" (FTC Q&A). This isn't legal advice.

Is it legal to buy Google reviews?

On Google, no. Google's review policy bans offering "payment, discounts, free goods and/or services" in exchange for a review, and Google can restrict a profile for fake or incentivized reviews. On the legal side, the FTC was asked whether a business can pay incentives for 5-star reviews on third-party platforms if reviewers disclose them. Its answer: "No. That conduct would violate Section 465.4" (FTC Q&A). This isn't legal advice.

How can I get more 5-star Google reviews?

You can't ask for five stars or for specific words. Google's review policy only allows asking without "attempting to influence the rating or the contents of the review." Ask every customer for an honest review, do the work well, and reply to every review.

What's the best time to ask for a review after a job?

We suggest the same day, while the job is fresh. Our guide on how to ask customers for reviews covers timing and wording.

Can I respond to old reviews I never replied to?

Yes. Reply to old reviews the same way you'd reply to new ones. See how to respond to Google reviews.

Want this running for your business?

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About the author

Michael Carpenter is the founder of Forge, a marketing platform built for independent home service contractors. He is based in Dallas, Texas, and analyzed the Google profiles of 513 Texas contractors for the benchmark data cited across this site. See the research.

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