How do I get more Google reviews after drain and toilet repairs, not just big jobs?
Small jobs are most of your volume. If only big jobs get review requests, you're missing most of your reviews.
- We only ask for reviews on big jobs.
- When should we ask?
- Can we reward plumbers for reviews?
Ask every customer, automatically, when the job is marked complete: a short text with your direct Google review link and the plumber's name, plus one reminder. Small jobs like unclogging a drain create happy customers fast. Don't offer customers incentives or ask only happy ones, which Google forbids, and Google also bars asking staff to hit review quotas.
Set it up
- Trigger on job completion in your software.
- Use the plumber's name: "Thanks for having Dave out today."
- Direct review link, one reminder.
- Reply to every review within a few days.
Why small jobs matter
Reviews that mention drains, toilets and leaks help you show up for those searches. Volume and recency matter.
How we look at it at ShoutEx
We set up review automation and reply templates. Our guide to getting reviews has more.
- Asking only on big jobs.
- Discounts for reviews.
- Staff review quotas.
- No replies.
- Every job triggers a request.
- Plumber's name in the message.
- Replies to every review.
- Monthly review count.
What plumbers and researchers say
Here is what Google and plumbers say.
Google bars incentives for reviews, selective solicitation and review targets for staff.
Read the policy →In the US, the FTC rule bans fake reviews and incentives tied to positive sentiment.
Read the rule →Plumbers share how they get reviews and what customers respond to.
Browse the threads →Community summaries describe recurring themes in public threads, not individual posts. Vendor pages describe vendor claims, so test them on your own calls.
Read next
Go deeper in the ShoutEx guides, or check the sources behind this answer.
We'll automate review requests and replies.
Book a call →Follow-up questions
Should the plumber ask in person too?
A friendly mention plus the text works well.
What about HomeStars or Yelp?
Check each platform's rules before asking.
How do we handle a bad review?
Reply calmly, offer to fix it offline.