Ask at the walkthrough
When the homeowner is walking their finished deck, garage or addition, they're at peak happiness. Thank them, ask in person, then text the link the same day.
Send the project photos
"Hi [name], here are the finished photos of your new deck! It was great working with you. If you're happy with how it turned out, a Google review would mean a lot: [link]."
Ask for detail
Reviews that mention the project type and town ("our new garage in Noblesville") help other homeowners and help you rank for those searches. It's fine to say "it helps if you mention what we built."
Handling a tough review
Long projects sometimes end with friction. Reply calmly, stick to facts, thank them for the feedback and offer to talk. Readers judge your reply more than the complaint. Never offer incentives for reviews.
Frequently asked questions
When should a contractor ask for a review?+
At the final walkthrough, followed by a text with project photos and the review link the same day.
How do contractors handle negative reviews?+
Respond calmly and factually, acknowledge their experience, and invite them to talk offline. Keep collecting reviews from happy clients.