Review & Referral Scripts

Review & Referral Request Scripts for Plumbers

Plumbing is a “you saved my house” service—customers are most grateful right after the water stops, the drain clears, or the hot water comes back. But you’re usually in a crawl space with wet hands and bad signal, so review and referral asks get skipped. These scripts are built for real plumbing jobs (water heaters, sewer lines, leak repairs, drain cleaning) and real conditions (noise, water, gloves, basements).

Google Review Request (Right After You Stop the Leak / Restore Water)

Use this as you’re packing up and the customer can see the problem is fixed.

“Alright, you’re back in business—no more leaking under that sink. If you feel like we took good care of you today, could you do me a quick favor and leave a Google review? It helps a ton when people are panicking with a burst pipe and they’re trying to pick a plumber fast. If you mention what we fixed—like the angle stop and the supply line—and that we showed up quickly, it really helps. I can text you the link as soon as I’m back in the truck so you don’t have to hunt for it.”

Tips for this scenario

-Ask right after the win: water is off the floor, toilet flushes, hot water is back.
-Tell them exactly what to write: “fixed leaking P-trap,” “replaced water heater,” “cleared main line,” “cleaned up after.”
-Wait until you’ve removed tools and wiped the area—customers review more when the space looks better than when you arrived.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

!Asking for a review before you’ve tested everything (hot water verified, fixtures run, no leaks at fittings). Customers will wait to review—and forget.

!Saying “Leave us a review” without telling them what to mention (water heater, main line, emergency response). Vague reviews don’t help you win the next $2,000–$5,000 job.

!Waiting a week to send the link. Plumbing gratitude fades fast once life is back to normal.

!Making the request while you’re still dripping water, tracking mud, or leaving tools scattered. Clean finish = more 5-star reviews.

!Responding to negative reviews with technical blame (“customer had roots/grease”) instead of offering a calm, specific path to resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to ask a plumbing customer for a Google review?

Right after you’ve proven the fix: water is running without leaks, toilet flushes clean, drain is flowing, or the new water heater is delivering hot water. Do a quick walkthrough, then ask, then text the link from the truck.

What should I ask them to include in the review so it helps my plumbing business?

Have them mention the specific job and the urgency: “water heater replacement,” “main sewer line cleared,” “burst pipe leak fixed,” “showed up fast on a weekend.” Also ask them to mention cleanliness and communication (explained options, clear pricing, cleanup).

How do I follow up without annoying them?

Send one polite follow-up the next day and reference their exact issue (“no hot water,” “kitchen drain backing up”). Keep it short, include the link, and don’t message again unless they respond.

Should I offer discounts or incentives for referrals?

Keep it simple and small, like $25 off a future service call (drain cleaning or leak repair) or priority scheduling for commercial clients. Avoid anything that sounds like you’re “buying reviews”—keep incentives for referrals, not for Google reviews.

How do I respond to a negative review if the job had surprises (roots, collapsed line, extra parts)?

Stay calm and avoid debating details in public. Apologize for the frustration, invite them to contact you directly using the invoice/phone number, and offer a clear next step (re-check, walkthrough of the scope and pricing, or a schedule window). Readers care more about your solution than the argument.

How can I get more reviews if I’m always in basements/crawl spaces with no signal and wet hands?

Use a repeatable system: ask in person at the final test, then send the review link once you’re back in the truck with clean hands and signal. If missing calls is also costing you jobs, a service like SkipCalls can capture calls and texts while you’re working so you can follow up and still keep the day moving.