When a homeowner searches "siding repair near me," or asks ChatGPT the same thing, reviews are a big part of who shows up. I didn't like asking for reviews at first. It felt pushy. Then I realized happy customers want to help; they just need you to ask and make it easy.
When to ask
At the end of the job, while the customer is standing there looking at the repair and happy with it. That's the moment.
"If you're happy with how it turned out, a quick Google review would really help me out."
That's it. No pressure.
Make it easy
- Text the link the same day. Get your Google review link from your Business Profile and save it on your phone.
- One short message: "Thanks for having me out today. Here's the link if you have a minute to leave a review: [link]."
- One reminder a few days later if they haven't. Then let it go.
What makes a review useful
The best reviews mention the job and the town: "He fixed the siding the wind tore off our gable, same week we called." You can't tell customers what to write, but you can ask: "If you mention what I fixed, it helps other homeowners find me."
Those details help Google and AI search tools match you to the right searches. See getting named by AI search.
Reply to every review
- Good reviews: a short, genuine thank-you.
- Bad reviews: stay calm. Thank them, address the issue, offer to make it right. Other customers read your reply more than the complaint.
The rules you can't break
- Don't pay for reviews or give discounts in exchange. Google's rules prohibit incentivized reviews, and the FTC's 2024 rule on fake reviews bans buying them.
- Don't write reviews for customers.
- Don't only ask happy customers. Ask everyone.
- Don't have friends and family post fake reviews.
Other places reviews help
- Facebook and Nextdoor recommendations are big for local trades.
- Your website: put a few real reviews on it, with permission.
Photos help too
Post before-and-after photos to your Google Business Profile. See photo reports and Google Business Profile for siding repair.
Make it a habit
Ask every customer, every job. A year from now you'll have a profile nobody in town can touch.
Inside Siding Pro Academy, we share the exact text members send.
Photo: from a real Siding Pro Academy repair job.
