Pro Tip: How to get more reviews. The subtle art of asking the right way…that gets you more business.

Asking your customers for reviews is challenging. You don't want to seem pushy, but at the same time, reviews are essential for the growth of your business. 

In today’s remodeling market, the number and quality of your reviews can make or break you. According to BrightLocal, 93% of consumers stated that online reviews influenced their purchasing decisions.

Here's a pro tip to get more and better reviews: the best way to ask for a review is to simply say, "Thank you!" At the end of every project, thank your customer for their business and tell them you would appreciate an honest review on Google or Yelp. Most people are happy to leave a review if they had a positive experience, and this method ensures that you'll only get positive reviews. Here are some quick tips when asking for a review:

• • Timing: Wait until the project is complete and the homeowner is satisfied. This is an excellent time to ask for a review, as the homeowner will likely feel positive about their experience.
    
    
  • Personalize your request: Address the homeowner by name and personalize your request. This can help to build a connection and increase the likelihood that they will leave a review.
    
    
  • Explain the importance of reviews: They are important for your business and how they can help other homeowners make informed decisions about their home remodeling projects. This can help to emphasize the value of the homeowner's opinion and encourage them to leave a review.
    
    
  • Provide a link: Provide a link to your business's profile on relevant review websites, such as Yelp or Google Reviews. This can make it easy for the homeowner to leave a review and increase the likelihood that they will do so.
    
    
  • Thank the homeowner: Thank the homeowner for their business and for considering leaving a review. This can help show appreciation and build a positive relationship with the homeowner.
    
    

Choose whom you will ask – you just can’t please everyone, no matter how hard you try.

When requesting a review, remodeling contractors should focus on asking homeowners who had a positive experience with their services. That includes clients who have recently completed a project and are likely to have a fresh memory of their experience, especially clients who have expressed satisfaction with the work that your company has completed. Sometimes it might be the professionalism of your crews they remember.  Ask repeat clients who have worked with your company on multiple projects. They will likely have a positive relationship with your company and be willing to provide a more informative review. Also, clients who have referred other clients to your company as they are likely to be enthusiastic about your services. Here is a sample letter:

Dear [Homeowner Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to reach out to you to thank you for choosing us for your recent remodeling project. We were honored to have the opportunity to work with you and to help bring your vision to life.

If you have a moment, I am requesting your feedback on your experience with our team. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us as we work to provide the best possible service to our clients.

If you are able to leave a review for us on [Review Platform/link], it would be greatly appreciated. We would love to hear your thoughts on the quality of our work, the professionalism of our team, and any other aspects of your experience that you would like to share.

Thank you again for your business and for considering our request for a review. We truly value your feedback and hope you will consider us for any future remodeling projects you may have.

Best regards,

[Your Name] 

Be specific in your request.

Making sure happy customers are the priority is vital to any successful business, so be specific about what and where you want them to post. By being direct in your request, customers can be confident that everyone involved will benefit from happy and satisfied customers. Here are some tips for making specific requests for reviews:

• • Identify the platform: Specify where you would like the homeowner to leave a review, such as Google, Yelp, or Facebook. 
    
    
  • Specify the type of review: Be specific about the type of feedback that you are looking for. For example, you may want the homeowner to focus on the work's quality, the contractor's professionalism, or the overall experience. 
    
    
  • Provide examples: Provide examples of a good review, such as a review that mentions specific aspects of the service or highlights the value provided. 
    
    

Should you offer something in return?

Offering incentives or rewards in exchange for a review is generally not recommended. In fact, some review platforms, such as Yelp, have strict policies against offering incentives for reviews.

Instead of offering incentives, remodeling contractors should focus on providing high-quality service and delivering a positive experience for their clients. By focusing on quality and professionalism, remodeling contractors can build positive relationships with their clients and encourage them to leave reviews based on their genuine satisfaction with the completed work.

That being said, it is appropriate to thank clients for leaving reviews and show appreciation for their feedback. This can help to build a positive relationship with the client and demonstrate your commitment to providing excellent service. By being professional, polite, and personalized, remodeling contractors can encourage clients to leave reviews and build credibility for their business without the need for incentives or rewards.

Turning a negative review into a positive.

No one likes getting bad reviews, especially if they provide excellent service. Home improvement projects are no different. Kitchen and bath remodels are time-consuming and require patience and understanding while their home is in disarray.  Most consumers say a negative review has convinced them to avoid the business. On the other hand, a negative review can actually help your business provided you handle it right. Here are some steps to follow:

• • Respond promptly: Respond to the negative review promptly and professionally. This can help to show that you are taking the homeowner's concerns seriously and are committed to resolving the issue.
    
    
  • Apologize and acknowledge the issue: Apologize for any inconvenience or dissatisfaction the homeowner experienced and acknowledge their concerns. This can help to show empathy and build a positive relationship with the homeowner.
    
    
  • Offer a solution: Offer a solution to the homeowner's concerns. This may include offering a refund, redoing the work, or providing additional support or resources. 
    
    
  • Follow up: Follow up with the homeowner to ensure that the solution has been successful and that they are satisfied with the outcome. 
    
    
  • Encourage positive reviews: Encourage satisfied homeowners to leave positive reviews to offset the negative review. 
    
    

Thank them for their review.

Here is a sample thank-you letter that a remodeling contractor might use to thank a homeowner for leaving a review:

Dear [Homeowner Name],

I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the review that you recently left for us on [Review Platform]. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us as we work to provide the best possible service to our clients.

I was thrilled to read about your positive experience with our team and to hear that you were satisfied with the work that we completed. We take great pride in our commitment to quality and professionalism, and it's always rewarding to hear that our efforts are appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We truly appreciate your support and hope you will consider us for any future remodeling projects you may have.

 Best regards,

[Your Name]

Asking for a review can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be! By following these simple steps, you can get the reviews you want without hassle. And remember, acknowledging when they leave a review is always appreciated - people's time is valuable! So thank them for their help once you've got your great new reviews.