The Host
Great reviews are more than compliments. They are one of the most powerful tools you have to help future customers choose you over a competitor.
A homeowner comparing two companies will almost always trust other customers' words over an advertisement, no matter how polished the ad is. Reviews do the convincing before you ever get the chance to.
The Problem
Many contractors do excellent work but never ask for a review, or they ask so long after the job that the request feels like an afterthought. Without a consistent process, most satisfied customers simply never get asked at all.
That silence is a missed opportunity, because happy customers are usually glad to help when asked at the right moment. Every unrequested review is a missed chance to win the next customer before they even call.
The AI Fix
AI can draft a simple, friendly review request or thank-you message in seconds, timed to go out right when a customer is most satisfied. It removes the awkwardness of figuring out what to say and when to say it.
The message can be personalized in seconds for each customer without your team starting from scratch every time. The goal is simple: turn every great job into visible proof that helps you win the next one.
In The Trades
HVAC:
Ask for a review right after a successful installation, while the customer's relief that the house is comfortable again is still fresh.
Plumbing:
Ask after a major repair, when the customer is most grateful that the emergency is finally over.
Electrical:
Ask after a completed project, especially safety upgrades that give homeowners genuine peace of mind.
The AI Prompt
Copy this into Claude:
"Write a friendly, short review request text for a satisfied customer. Keep the tone warm and appreciative, keep it under 50 words, and include a simple thank-you and a placeholder link."
The Duct Tape Fix
Ask every genuinely happy customer for a review, not just the ones who mention it first.
Make the ask part of your process, like right after payment or at the end of a follow-up call.
A five-star review costs nothing to ask for and pays for itself in the next phone call.
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Good luck!
Ansel
Founder, Duct Tape & AI

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