You’re great at spotting roof damage and plumbing issues – but are you overlooking the cracks in your online reputation?
When you’re just getting your inspection business off the ground, every client counts. So does every review.
Testimonials are one of the fastest, easiest, and most affordable ways to build trust. They prove your value, signal professionalism, and give nervous homebuyers and agents the nudge they need to choose you over the competition.
Let’s dig into how to ask for testimonials, where to use them, and what to do when you get a not-so-glowing review.
Why reviews are everything when you’re new
When you’re still building your book of business, trust is your currency. You don’t have a long resume, a fleet of inspectors, or a decade of word-of-mouth referrals behind you. You have what your last client said – and whether that’s visible online.
The truth? Most clients and agents will Google you. If they see nothing, or only one outdated review from last year, that can be just as damaging as a one-star rating. If your competition is stacking up five-star feedback, you need proof that you’re reliable, thorough, and easy to work with.
Think of reviews as your digital handshake. They’re not fluff. They’re foundational.
How to ask for reviews without feeling weird about it
Worried it’s awkward to ask? It doesn’t have to be. A little timing, a little personality, and a clear path can go a long way.
The sweet spot for asking is right after a smooth inspection – once the client has their report and is feeling confident and taken care of. That’s your moment.
Keep the ask short and human. Try something like, “If the report was helpful, I’d really appreciate a quick review – it helps more than you know!”
Then, make it easy:
- Send a direct link so they’re not hunting around
- Add it to your follow-up message
- If they raved to you in person or on the phone, thank them and ask if they’d be willing to say the same in a review
And don’t be shy about a gentle reminder. Many clients mean to leave a review but forget. A second polite nudge can make all the difference.
What to do with good reviews
You’ve got some great reviews coming in. Now what?
- Put them front and center: Add them to your website, your Google profile, social media accounts – anywhere people might check you out
- Use them in your marketing: Sprinkle testimonials into your email campaigns, brochures, business cards, and agent handouts – this can turn cold leads into warm ones
- Showcase specifics: Reviews that mention your punctuality, clear reports, or friendly attitude are worth their weight in gold – they’re not just compliments, they’re social proof
- Break them up and spread them out: Pull out short, punchy lines like “super-fast report delivery” or “made everything easy to understand” and sprinkle them across your site – these snippets do double duty for trust and SEO
Bad reviews happen – Here’s your plan
Even the best inspectors get hit with a one-star review now and then. It’s totally normal and it doesn’t mean your business is doomed. Just stay calm and focus on how to handle it effectively.
Respond publicly
Thank them for their feedback, acknowledge the issue, and (if appropriate), explain what you’ve done to fix it. Keep your tone polished and be sincere. Put yourself in the reviewer’s shoes and think about what you’d want to hear if you were in their position.
Example: “Sorry to hear your report was confusing. We’re always looking for ways to make our findings clearer and have updated our summary format since your inspection. I’m happy to help clarify anything that is unclear.”
Avoid defensiveness
Even if the review seems unfair or exaggerated, stay cool. Future clients are reading your tone as much as your words.
Flag truly abusive reviews
If it’s fake, personal, offensive, or violates the platform’s rules, report it. But don’t try to scrub honest criticism. It can backfire.
Turning a bad review into a marketing win
Bad reviews sting – but they’re also free market research.
What confused a client? What frustrated them? Those are clues.
Use their actual words to fine-tune your messaging. If someone said, “I couldn’t tell what was a big deal,” flip it: “Our reports clearly separate major concerns from minor findings – no guesswork.”
Then make a change and talk about it. Let people know what you did. For example, “We added a summary section based on your feedback.” That shows you’re not just listening – you’re improving.
Most people know perfection doesn’t exist. But what matters is that you’re open, honest, and responsive. That’s what builds trust and keeps the reviews coming in.
Turn reviews into results
Reviews aren’t just nice to have. They’re a growth tool.
Build a repeatable system: Ask for reviews, use the good ones, learn from the tough ones.
If you want more five-star feedback with less effort, start by giving clients a five-star experience. Palmtech makes it easy – from writing professional reports to getting them out fast, with clear, easy-to-understand summaries that clients and agents love.
In other words, less typing, better reports, happier clients.
The result? More reviews, more referrals, and a reputation that speaks for itself.
Lastly, we cover a lot of business topics like this on The Ride Along Podcast, featuring two actual inspectors – Brad Lowery and Matt Brading. Sign up for our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss an episode!
