Most solo owners lose more money through silence after the quote than through bad marketing before it. A customer asks for three quotes, gets busy, and books whoever checks in first. A happy customer means to leave a review, then forgets. This service fixes both with one short weekly routine.
What the service is
We set up two simple lists and a set of plain messages, then show you how to work through them in about ten minutes a week.
- The review list: every finished job, with a tick when the customer has been asked and another when a review appears.
- The quote list: every open quote, with the date sent, the value and the next follow-up date.
- The messages: short, friendly wording for asking, reminding and closing the loop, written to sound like you.
Nothing here needs special software. A notebook, a spreadsheet or the notes app on your phone will do. If you already use job-management software, we work inside it.
Why it matters more for one-person businesses
A solo owner's reputation is personal. Customers are not hiring a brand; they are letting one specific person into their home.
That makes reviews unusually powerful. A dozen recent, detailed reviews that mention you by name do more than a polished logo. Follow-up matters for the same reason: when you are on a job all day, the customer who called this morning may assume you are not interested if they hear nothing by tomorrow.
What is included
- Review timing. When in your job process to ask, and who should ask (you, at the door, is usually right).
- Message templates. For example: "Hi [First name], thanks again for having me at [Street]. If you were happy with the work, a short Google review would help a small business like mine a lot: [Link]. — [Your name]"
- Reply templates. How to answer a good review in one line and a bad one calmly and briefly.
- Quote follow-up schedule. Day 2: "Did it arrive?" Day 7: "Any questions?" Day 14: "Shall I close this for now?"
- A monthly five-minute review. Count reviews, count quotes won and lost, and note why the lost ones went elsewhere.
Rules to know before you message anyone
Two sets of rules apply, and we keep the routine inside both. We summarise them here; we don't give legal advice.
- Canada's anti-spam legislation (CASL) covers commercial electronic messages, including texts and emails, and asks businesses to get consent before sending them. The federal CASL information page explains it, and you should check it for your own situation.
- Platform rules. Google's guidelines say any promotion must show its terms clearly and that promises made must be honoured. Most review platforms also forbid paying for reviews.
The simplest habit: only message people who contacted you or hired you, say who you are, and stop when someone asks you to.
Timeline and how we measure it
Setup takes about a week. The routine starts working as soon as you use it, and builds over months.
We track four numbers, all of which you can count yourself:
- Reviews per month, and how recent the newest one is.
- Share of finished jobs asked for a review. Aim for every one.
- Close rate on quotes. If you win 3 in 10 now and the routine makes it 4 in 10, that is a third more work from the same enquiries.
- Reasons for lost quotes, such as price, timing or no response. These shape your pricing and your plan.
Mistakes to avoid
- Asking only the customers you think will be kind.
- Sending a review link a week later with no personal note.
- Arguing with an unfair review in public.
- Following up once and giving up, or following up ten times and annoying people.
- Keeping open quotes in your head instead of on a list.
This routine pairs naturally with a complete Google profile. For the arithmetic behind follow-up, see the budget guide. To set it up together, contact us.
Frequently asked questions
When is the right time to ask for a review?
Right after the customer has said something positive, usually at the end of the job or when they pay. Waiting a week means most people forget, even when they were happy.
Can I offer a discount for a review?
We advise against it. Paying or rewarding people for reviews breaks the rules of most review platforms and makes your reviews less believable. Ask every customer the same way and let the reviews fall where they fall.
How many times should I follow up on a quote?
Two or three times over about two weeks is reasonable for most home-service jobs: once to check the quote arrived, once to answer questions, and once to close the loop. After that, mark it lost and move on.
Can I text customers about reviews and quotes?
Texting someone who asked you for a quote is normal, but Canada's anti-spam law covers commercial electronic messages and generally expects consent. Read the federal guidance and keep a note of who asked you to get in touch.