The crew loads the last branch, blows the driveway clean and drives off. The homeowner waves from the porch. The invoice is paid. And that is the last time you speak to them until, maybe, the next storm.
That is a missed chance. The moment right after a good job is the best time you will ever have to ask for a review, a referral and a repeat visit. A small, planned follow-up costs a few minutes and builds your business for years.
Why the follow-up matters
Most people are happy after a job and never say so publicly. They are not ignoring you. They are busy, and nobody asked. A short message with a clear link makes it easy.
Reviews help new customers find you and trust you. Referrals bring in people who already feel warm toward you. And a friendly note keeps your name in the homeowner’s phone. Our reviews guide and referral guide explain the bigger picture.
The three messages
Each message has one job. Send them on different days so they do not feel like a pile.
| When | Message | One job |
|---|---|---|
| Same day, within a few hours | Thank-you | Show you care and check they are happy |
| Next day | Review request with link | Ask once, make it easy |
| About a week later | Referral note (only if happy) | Ask them to pass your name on |
Message 1: the thank-you
Keep it short and personal. Mention the job, not just “thanks for your business”.
Example: “Hi Mark, it’s Dana at Oak & Pine Tree Service. Thanks for having us out today to take down the oak. If anything looks off or you have a question about the cleanup, just reply here and I’ll take care of it.”
This does two things. It shows you care, and it gives an unhappy customer a private way to tell you first. If someone replies with a problem, fix it before you ever ask for a review. Our post on replying to tree service reviews shows how to answer when things go wrong.
Message 2: the review request
Wait until the next day. Send one message with a direct link. Do not send it more than once, and do not offer payment or gifts in return for a review. Review platforms have rules on this, so read them.
Example: “Hi Mark, we’re glad the oak is gone and the yard looks clear. If you have a minute, a short Google review helps other neighbors find a tree company they can trust. Here is the link: [your review link]. Thanks again.”
Make the link do the work. The Google review link generator builds a link that opens the review box directly, and the review request builder helps you write the wording in your own voice. For more tips, read how to ask for a Google review after a tree job.
Message 3: the referral note
Send this only if the customer was clearly happy. A warm reply to message 1 or a nice review is a good sign. Keep the ask light.
Example: “Hi Mark, thanks again for the kind words. If a neighbor or friend ever needs tree work, feel free to pass along our number. We’d be glad to take care of them too.”
You can add a small thank-you for referrals if you like, such as a discount on the next job. Keep it simple, and put it in writing so it is fair for everyone. The referral program planner helps you decide what you can afford.
Try it: open the review request builder, write your own thank-you and review text, and save them in your phone so you can paste them after each job.
Texting rules to keep in mind
Texts to customers have rules. In short: only text people who have given you their number for this purpose, say who you are, and stop when someone asks you to. Our texting rules guide gives a short explanation, not legal advice, and the text compliance checker can help you review your wording. Ask your own advisor if you are unsure.
Keep the relationship going
The follow-up does not end after three messages. Keep a simple list of past customers with the job done and the date. Then, once or twice a year, send a friendly note. Ideas:
- A yearly “tree check” offer for trees you worked near
- A reminder before storm season
- A seasonal note, such as the right time to prune certain trees, from our calendar
Our plant health care guide explains how some companies offer yearly visits. Only suggest work a qualified person says is needed, and never use scare tactics.
What to avoid
- Sending all three messages on the same day
- Asking for a review before the customer is happy
- Offering money or gifts for a review
- Copying and pasting the same message to everyone without a name
- Leaving a complaint without a reply
- Using photos of the customer’s property without permission
Checklist for every finished job
- I thanked the customer the same day
- I checked that they were happy with the cleanup
- I fixed any problem before asking for a review
- I sent one review request with a direct link
- I asked for a referral only if they were happy
- I saved their name, job and date for next year
- I replied to any review they left
Handling the unhappy reply
Sometimes the answer to your thank-you is not a thank-you. A customer might say the lawn has leftover chips, a branch hit the fence or the cleanup missed a spot. Treat this as a gift. You heard about it before it turned into a public review.
A good response has three parts. First, thank them for telling you. Second, say what you will do and when, for example sending a crew member back the next day. Third, check in after the fix is done. Do not argue, and do not ask for a review until they are happy. If damage or insurance is involved, talk to your insurer and follow your own policies. This is general guidance, not legal advice.
Who sends all this?
You will not remember to do it after a hard day. That is why many owners never do. Our Never-Miss-A-Job System includes review requests after every job, so the ask goes out without you typing it. If you want to see where your reviews and follow-ups stand today, request a free audit.
