Google reviews for landscapers: your recurring clients are a goldmine
A lawn care company with 200 weekly clients has 200 people who already like them and have never been asked. A patio installer has a finished product that photographs better than any trade. Both usually have 30 reviews. Here is how to fix that in a season.
How does a landscaping company get more Google reviews?
For installs, text the review link with a finished photo the morning after the crew leaves. For recurring mowing and maintenance clients, ask once in the first month and once a year after that, timed to the first great-looking spring cut. For irrigation and lighting, ask after the first evening or first dry week they notice the difference. Always from a named person, no incentive, one reminder at three days. A 200-client lawn company that asks properly adds 40 to 80 reviews in a season.
What reviews do for a landscaping company
BrightLocal’s 2026 survey says 97% of consumers read reviews for local businesses, 78% were asked to leave one in the past year, and 83% of those asked did. Nearly half (47%) want to see at least 20 reviews before they trust a rating, and 89% expect the business to reply. Landscaping customers compare three bids over about 60 days (WebFX 2026), and the thing they are most afraid of is a crew that does not show up or plants that die. Reviews that say “same crew every week for three years” or “the patio looks exactly like the drawing” answer those fears directly. In Texas metros the top landscape companies show 200 to 600 reviews; most have fewer than 50.
The review request texts that work for landscaping
One ask, timed to the moment they are happiest, from the tech by name, with the Google link and nothing else to click. No incentive, no “if you were happy” filter.
After a patio or install, next morning
“Morning [First name], [Name] from [Company]. Here is the finished [patio] in the morning light: [photo]. If you are happy with how it turned out, a Google review with the photo would mean a lot to the crew: [link].”
Recurring client, after the first month
“Hi [First name], it’s [Name]. You have had [four] visits with us now. If the yard is looking the way you hoped, a quick Google review helps other [City] homeowners find a crew that shows up: [link]. Anything we should change, reply here.”
Irrigation install or repair, after the first dry week
“Hi [First name], [Name] here. A week in, how is the lawn looking with the new [controller / zones]? If it is doing its job, a review would help us a lot: [link]. LI [number].”
Spring clean-up or mulch, same evening
“Thanks for having us out today, [First name]. Beds are mulched and edged, here is a photo: [photo]. If you like how it looks, a Google review helps a small local crew: [link].”
When to ask, by job type
| Job type | Best moment to ask | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Patio / hardscape install | Next morning, with the finished photo | They see it in daylight before the first dinner party |
| Recurring mowing / maintenance | After the first month, then yearly after the best spring cut | Ask when the lawn looks its best, not in August |
| Sod installation | 3 weeks in, once it has rooted and greened | Ask at day 2 and a brown patch becomes your review |
| Irrigation | After the first dry week | They notice the difference when it is hot |
| Landscape lighting | After the first evening | Send it at 8pm when they are looking at it |
| Spring / fall clean-up | Same evening with a photo | Small job, short memory |
Replying to landscaping reviews
- Reply to every review within 48 hours. 89% of consumers expect it, and the reply is read by the next 50 people, not the reviewer.
- Name the job, not the stars. “Glad the patio is sorted, thanks for having us out” beats “Thanks for the 5 stars!”
- Negative reviews get a calm, specific reply and a phone call. Do not argue in public. Say what you will do, then do it. Most bad landscaping reviews are about a crew no-show or dead plants; reply with the reschedule date or the plant warranty terms, then call.
- Never offer anything for a review. The FTC rule in force since 21 October 2024 bans conditional incentives, and Google removes reviews it catches.
Texas notes for landscaping review requests
If you do irrigation, TCEQ requires your Licensed Irrigator number on advertising, so sign irrigation review texts “LI [number]”. Pesticide and fertiliser work should carry your TDA commercial applicator licence on the invoice. Time sod and planting asks around Texas watering restrictions and summer heat: a sod review requested in the first week of a Dallas July is asking for a photo of brown grass. A review request goes to a customer who just paid you, so it is customer communication and exempt from SB 140 registration under the November 2025 settlement; still keep it between 9am and 9pm (noon to 9pm Sunday) and include your business name.
How we automate landscaping review requests
Trigger from the paid invoice
Job marked complete and paid in ServiceTitan, Housecall Pro or Jobber fires the request at the right delay for that job type.
Tech’s name on it
The text comes from the technician who was in the home, which roughly doubles response in our client data.
One reminder, then stop
A second text three days later if no review appears, then nothing. No third ask.
Reply drafts
New reviews land in your inbox with a suggested reply that names the job; you approve or edit.
Monthly count
Reviews asked, received, average rating and reply time in one text on the first of the month.
Questions owners ask
How many reviews should a landscaping company have?
Enough that a homeowner stops counting. BrightLocal’s 2026 survey says 47% want to see at least 20; in competitive Texas metros the top three in the map pack usually have 200 or more.
When is the best time to send a review request?
Next morning with a photo after an install; after the first month and then once a year for recurring clients; after the first dry week for irrigation; three weeks in for sod.
Should the review request come from the company or the tech?
The tech, by name. People review people. Our client data shows roughly double the response when the text is from the person who was in the home.
Can I offer a discount for a review?
No. The FTC rule effective 21 October 2024 bans incentives conditioned on a review, and Google removes reviews it detects as paid.
Is it legal to text review requests in Texas?
Yes. The customer just paid you, so it is customer communication and exempt from SB 140 registration under the November 2025 settlement. Send between 9am and 9pm.
How many times can I ask?
Once, with one reminder three days later. A third ask annoys customers and does not add reviews.
Can I ask recurring lawn clients for a review?
Yes, and they are your best source. Ask after the first month, then once a year when the lawn looks its best. Do not ask every visit.
Should I include a photo?
Always for installs and clean-ups. Landscaping photographs better than any trade, and photo reviews stand out in the map pack.
When should I ask after laying sod?
About three weeks in, once it has rooted and greened up. Earlier and a brown patch becomes the review.
Does the review request need my irrigator licence?
If the job included irrigation, TCEQ requires the LI number on advertising, so put it in the signature.
Next pages
Sources
- BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey 2026: 97% read reviews, 78% asked, 83% of those asked left one, 47% want 20+ reviews, 89% expect a reply.
- FTC, Trade Regulation Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials (effective 21 Oct 2024).
- Google, Prohibited and restricted content policy for reviews (2026).
- WebFX, Home Services Marketing Benchmarks (updated 29 Jun 2026): landscaping sales cycle ~60 days.
- TCEQ, 30 TAC §344 landscape irrigator advertising requirements; Texas Department of Agriculture applicator licensing.
- Texas SB 140 (1 Sep 2025); Texas AG settlement Nov 2025.
Two hundred happy clients and thirty reviews?
We send the ask from your software at the right moment for each job type, with the photo and the crew lead’s name, once a year for recurring clients. You approve the replies.