How to Get More Reviews for Your Plumbing Business

Why Reviews Matter More for Plumbers Than Almost Any Other Trade

When a pipe bursts at 2 AM, homeowners aren't carefully comparing websites. They're Googling "emergency plumber near me" and calling whoever looks trustworthy. That decision happens in seconds.

The numbers tell the story:

• 93% of consumers check reviews before hiring a plumber
• Plumbers with 50+ Google reviews get 3x more calls than those with under 10
• 72% of homeowners will pay more for a plumber with excellent reviews

Your competition isn't just other plumbers—it's the fear of getting ripped off. Reviews are how you prove you're worth the call.

The Trust Factor

Unlike some home services, plumbing requires homeowners to trust you with:

• Access to their home (often while they're not there)
• Work they can't verify (hidden pipes, water heaters in basements)
• Pricing they can't evaluate (is $500 fair for this repair?)

Reviews from other homeowners are the only way to bridge that trust gap before you've even walked through the door.

8 Strategies to Get More Reviews for Your Plumbing Business

1. Ask Right After the Water Flows

The best time to ask for a review is the moment after you've fixed the problem. The toilet works. The leak stopped. Hot water is back. That's when gratitude peaks.

Pro tip: Send a text message within 2 hours of completing the job. The longer you wait, the more the relief fades—and so does your chance at a review.

2. Make It One Tap

Don't just ask for a review—send a direct link. Every extra click you require cuts your conversion rate in half.

A simple SMS like this converts:

"Hi Michael, thanks for trusting [Company Name] with your water heater today! We hope everything's working perfectly. Would you mind leaving a quick review? [direct link]"

3. Different Templates for Different Jobs

Emergency calls and scheduled maintenance create different emotions. Match your message to the situation.

Emergency fix template:

"Hi [Name], so glad we could help with your emergency today. We know plumbing problems are stressful—thanks for trusting us to get it fixed fast. Mind sharing your experience? [link]"

Routine maintenance template:

"Hi [Name], thanks for having us out for your annual inspection. Keeping your plumbing healthy prevents those 2 AM emergencies! If you have a minute, we'd appreciate a quick review. [link]"

4. Automate So You Don't Forget

During a busy week with backed-up service calls, you're not thinking about review requests. You're thinking about scheduling, parts, and getting to the next job.

That's why automation matters. Set up a system that sends review requests automatically when a job is marked complete in your service software. The request should happen without manual intervention.

5. Leverage the Technician Relationship

Your technicians are the face of your company. Customers remember them, not your office staff.

Empower your techs:

• Let them mention reviews verbally after a job well done ("If you were happy with the work, a Google review really helps us out")
• Include a simple review card in their truck they can hand out
• Make it part of the job completion checklist

6. Capture Commercial and Property Manager Reviews

Property managers and commercial clients are review gold. One review mentioning your reliability across multiple properties is worth ten residential reviews.

How to approach it:

• Send a more professional template
• Follow up with a phone call or email
• Remind them that their review helps you maintain service quality for their properties

7. Handle Pricing Concerns Before They Become Bad Reviews

Many negative plumbing reviews mention pricing. "Too expensive" or "felt overcharged" are common complaints—even when your pricing is fair.

Prevent this:

• Explain pricing before starting work
• Provide written estimates
• If a customer seems hesitant about cost, acknowledge it: "I know plumbing repairs can be an unexpected expense. Here's exactly what we're doing and why it costs what it does."

When customers understand the value, they're far more likely to leave positive reviews.

8. Follow Up on "No Response"

Not everyone will respond to your first request. A gentle follow-up 3-5 days later can double your review conversion.

Follow-up template:

"Hi [Name], hope your [repair type] is still working great! If you have 30 seconds, a quick review really helps other homeowners find reliable plumbing help. [link]"

Don't follow up more than once—you don't want to annoy customers.

The Repeat Business Advantage

Unlike some trades, plumbing creates natural repeat customers. Today's water heater installation becomes next year's drain cleaning becomes the year after's bathroom remodel.

Build the relationship:

• Reviews remind customers you exist when the next problem comes up
• Responding to reviews shows you care (and helps with local SEO)
• Happy reviewers become referral sources

Common Mistakes Plumbing Companies Make

Waiting Until the End of the Week

By Friday, customers have forgotten Monday's emergency. Ask for reviews the same day you complete the work.

Only Asking After Perfect Jobs

Not every job will be flawless. A customer who had a minor hiccup but saw you handle it professionally will often still leave a great review. Don't assume they won't.

Ignoring Google for Yelp

Some plumbers focus on Yelp or HomeAdvisor. Google should be your primary target. It's where 90%+ of local searches happen, and it directly impacts your visibility in "plumber near me" searches.

Not Responding to Reviews

When someone takes time to leave you a review (positive or negative), respond. It shows you care, builds trust with future customers reading reviews, and Google factors response activity into local rankings.

How to Handle Negative Reviews

Negative reviews happen. How you respond matters more than the review itself.

The formula:

1. Thank them for the feedback
2. Apologize for their experience (even if you disagree)
3. Take it offline ("Please call us at [number] so we can make this right")
4. Follow up privately to resolve the issue

Never argue publicly. Future customers are watching how you handle criticism.

A Simple Review Collection System

Here's what top plumbing companies do:

1. After every job, send an automated text with a direct Google review link
2. 3-5 days later, if no review, send a follow-up email
3. Daily, check your Google Business Profile for new reviews and respond to each one
4. Monthly, track your review count vs. local competitors

Simple systems executed consistently beat complicated systems every time.

The Bottom Line

Plumbing is a trust business. When someone's home is flooding, they're not comparison shopping—they're calling whoever looks reliable. Reviews are how you prove you're that company.

Every job without a review request is a missed opportunity. Start collecting reviews now, build the reputation that makes you the obvious choice, and watch your phone ring.

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