Contractor Review Request SMS Templates: 8 That Actually Work
Generic review request templates say things like: “Hi [Name], thanks for your business! We’d love a Google review: [link].” Your customer gets 4 of those a month from different businesses. They don’t read them.
A trade-specific review request works differently. It names the job, it lands in the window when the customer’s experience is still fresh and positive, and it doesn’t feel like a mass mailing. The HVAC customer whose AC is now running cool is in a different emotional state than the landscaping customer admiring their freshly edged lawn — and the right message acknowledges that.
The quick version: Send within 1–4 hours of job completion (as of July 2026 — verify optimal timing with your specific customer base). Match the message to the job result. Send one follow-up after 48 hours if no response. Stop after two messages. Both Jobber (Connect plan) and Housecall Pro (all plans) can automate this entire sequence so you’re not texting from your personal phone at 5pm.
The timing rule first
Research consistently shows SMS converts to completed Google reviews at roughly 3–5x the rate of email for the same customer base (Source: Apptoto, Plaudit, Expert Reputation — verified July 2026). But timing matters more than the message copy.
For service and maintenance calls (HVAC service, plumbing repair, pressure washing): Send within 1–4 hours of job completion. The technician has left, the customer has confirmed the work is done, the house is cool/unclogged/clean — this is peak satisfaction. Wait until the next morning and the emotional moment has passed.
For installation and longer jobs (equipment replacement, landscaping installation, renovation): Give the customer 24–48 hours to see the result in good light, at home, settled in. For a new AC system, the satisfaction peak is the first hot afternoon when the house stays cool — not immediately after the installation van leaves.
For non-responders: One follow-up is acceptable. Two is the maximum. Send the follow-up 48 hours after the first message, keep it shorter, and stop after that regardless of response. Consistent over-messaging converts happy customers into irritated ones.
Compliance note (2026): US businesses sending SMS at scale are required to register through A2P 10DLC, include a STOP keyword in every send, and maintain double opt-in records. This applies to software-automated review request sequences. Platforms like Jobber and Housecall Pro handle A2P registration and STOP functionality as part of their messaging features. If you’re texting manually from your phone, check current TCPA requirements before running a campaign.
Template 1: HVAC service call (standard)
Hi [First Name] — just wrapped up at your place. Your [AC/furnace/system] is running [good/correctly] now. If you have 60 seconds, a quick Google review helps other homeowners find us: [review link]. Thanks — [Your Name], [Company]
Why this works: It names the equipment and the outcome (“running correctly”). The customer doesn’t have to guess who this is or what it’s about. Sixty seconds is an honest time estimate for leaving a Google review — don’t say “two minutes” if it takes one.
Template 2: HVAC equipment installation
Hi [First Name] — hope the new [3-ton Carrier / heat pump / system] is keeping things comfortable. If you’re happy with the install, we’d really appreciate a Google review when you have a moment: [review link]. It makes a big difference for a small shop. — [Your Name], [Company]
When to send: 24–48 hours after installation. The “when you have a moment” framing removes pressure. The “small shop” line works for owner-operators — it humanizes the request without being manipulative.
Template 3: Landscaping / lawn service (recurring)
Hi [First Name] — thanks for having us out today. Hope the yard looks good! If you have a second, a Google review goes a long way for us: [review link]. See you [next week / in two weeks]. — [Your Name], [Company]
Why this works: The “see you next week” line reinforces the ongoing relationship. For a recurring lawn care account, the customer already trusts you — this is a low-pressure ask that leverages an existing relationship.
Template 4: Landscaping installation or cleanup project
Hi [First Name] — the [mulch/sod/cleanup/installation] is all wrapped up. Take a look when you’re outside and let us know if anything needs touching up. And if you’re happy with how it turned out, a Google review helps us reach more homeowners in the area: [review link]. — [Your Name], [Company]
Why this works: The “let us know if anything needs touching up” line invites satisfaction feedback directly — it’s more likely to catch a minor issue before it becomes a bad review, and it signals that you stand behind your work.
Template 5: Plumbing service call
Hi [First Name] — drain/leak/issue should be resolved. If you see anything off in the next 24 hours, just let me know. And if everything looks good, we’d appreciate a Google review: [review link]. Helps more homeowners in [City] find us. — [Your Name], [Company]
Why this works: Plumbing is a trust-critical trade. Including “let me know if anything looks off” signals confidence in the work and reduces the chance a customer leaves a frustrated review for a perceived issue without contacting you first.
Template 6: Pressure washing
Hi [First Name] — your [driveway/house/deck] should be looking clean! If you’re happy with the result, a quick Google review would really help: [review link]. Takes about 30 seconds. Thanks for the work. — [Your Name], [Company]
When to send: Within 2–3 hours of completion. Pressure washing results are immediately visible — the customer can see the before/after when they walk outside. This is a high-satisfaction service with a strong emotional moment right after completion.
Template 7: First follow-up (48 hours after Template 1–6)
Hi [First Name] — following up on the review request from [Tuesday / earlier this week]. If you have a minute, here’s the link: [review link]. No worries if not — just appreciate your business. — [Your Name], [Company]
Rules: Send this one time, 48 hours after the first message. Keep it shorter than the original. Acknowledge you’ve already asked (“following up”). Never send a third.
Template 8: Non-pushy alternative (for customers who you know personally)
[First Name] — quick favor. We’re trying to build up our Google reviews. If you were happy with [the AC work / the yard / the drain], a review would mean a lot: [review link]. Either way — thanks for the work. [Your Name]
When to use: For established accounts, neighbors, or referrals where the formal “Hi [Name], we’d appreciate your business” tone would feel off. Dropping the template structure and writing like a human builds a higher response rate with this segment.
How software automates this sequence
Texting review requests from your personal phone at 5pm works — until you’re doing 15 jobs a day and forgetting half the follow-ups. That’s when automation pays for itself.
Housecall Pro includes automated review request messaging on every plan, including the entry-level Basic ($59/mo, annual billing, as of July 2026 — verify current pricing). After marking a job complete, the platform sends a review request automatically. You don’t have to remember. You can customize the message template within the platform.
Jobber includes review request automation starting at the Connect plan ($99/mo, annual billing). The sequence triggers after invoice payment — a logical touchpoint because the transaction is complete and the customer is in a positive state (they just paid and the job is done).
Both platforms handle the A2P 10DLC compliance layer automatically — you’re not managing opt-in lists manually.
The templates above are the right starting copy for either platform. Load them into your software’s message template once, and the sequence runs without you.
Common questions
Can I ask customers to leave a 5-star review specifically?
No — Google's guidelines prohibit soliciting reviews with specific ratings ('leave us a 5-star review'). You can ask for 'an honest review' or simply ask them to 'share their experience.' Violation of this policy can result in reviews being removed or your listing being penalized.
What is the best time of day to send a review request SMS?
Within 1–4 hours of job completion for service calls, which often puts the send in late afternoon or early evening. Avoid sends before 8am or after 8pm in the customer's time zone — this is both a best practice and a TCPA compliance requirement in the US.
How do I get the Google review link to include in my SMS?
In Google Business Profile, go to your profile → Get more reviews → copy the review shortcut link. This link takes the customer directly to the review entry field without them needing to search for your business. The shorter the path, the higher the conversion rate.
Should I respond to every Google review?
Yes — Google recommends responding to all reviews, positive and negative. Responses are public, indexed by Google, and read by prospective customers. A thoughtful response to a critical review often matters more to future buyers than the original complaint. See our post on how to respond to bad Google reviews as a contractor.
What if I get a bad review from someone I texted a review request to?
This happens. If someone was unhappy with the job, a review request occasionally surfaces that unhappiness. The correct response is not to stop asking for reviews — it's to (1) reach out to the unhappy customer privately to resolve the issue, (2) respond publicly to the review professionally, and (3) continue building review volume so individual negatives are diluted. You can't stop negative reviews; you can outrun them.
Related: Jobber vs Housecall Pro (2026) — the platform comparison including a detailed look at each platform’s review automation features. Best Landscaping Scheduling Software (2026) — if you’re running a landscaping operation and want software that handles scheduling, invoicing, and review automation in one place.
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