Reviews are the modern version of word of mouth. A homeowner deciding between two local plumbers will almost always check what previous customers said before picking up the phone. For tradespeople, a steady stream of genuine reviews is one of the most reliable ways to win new work, and TrustATrader is built around that idea.
Since the site launched in 2005, customers have left over 564,000 reviews for TrustATrader members, and the average rating across our traders in 2026 sits at 4.95 out of 5. Those reviews are displayed prominently on every member profile, which means the more feedback you collect, the stronger your profile looks to people searching for your trade in your area.
This guide covers how to get more customer reviews as a tradesperson, from asking at the right moment to handling the occasional negative review, so your reputation keeps working for you.
Why customer reviews matter for tradespeople
Research consistently shows that the vast majority of consumers read online reviews before buying.
BrightLocal's annual survey of UK consumers found that over 90% read reviews for local businesses, and most say they need to see a certain number of positive reviews before they feel confident hiring. Google's own guidance for businesses is just as direct: reviews build trust and can be a deciding factor.
For a tradesperson, reviews do three jobs at once. They reassure homeowners that you are reliable, they give you content that ranks in search, and they give the next customer a reason to contact you rather than a competitor. A profile with recent, detailed reviews outsells a profile with none, no matter how good your work is.
How the TrustATrader review system works
Before you ask for reviews, it helps to understand the system they live in. TrustATrader only accepts feedback from registered consumers, because we need a way to contact the reviewer if anything needs checking. Every review covers six areas: initial impression, punctuality, cleanliness, quality, value and overall opinion, each scored out of five.
Reviews scoring three stars or more are counted as positive, and around half are published straight away. The rest are validated to catch anything suspicious, which protects genuine traders from fake feedback. We do not accept reviews for work completed more than two years ago, so your profile always reflects recent performance rather than ancient history. You can read the full review process on the TrustATrader website.
Before you start: what you need in place
Getting more reviews starts before the review is written. You need three things in place:
• A profile that is worth reviewing. A complete profile with photographs, qualifications and clear service details gives customers context and makes your reviews more persuasive.
• A way to ask. Review cards, a direct link to your profile, or a follow-up email all work. TrustATrader members can get review cards posted out by the admin team.
• The right moment. The best time to ask is while the customer is still enjoying the finished job, not weeks later when the memory has faded.
How to get more customer reviews: five steps
Step 1: Ask at the right moment
The strongest reviews come from customers who are asked while the work is fresh. When you finish a job and the customer is happy, ask directly. Most satisfied customers will leave feedback if they are asked in person, and it costs you nothing but a question.
Step 2: Make it easy to leave feedback
The harder a review is to leave, the fewer you will get. Hand over a review card, or send a link to your profile where a review can be left. A customer who has to search for the right page may never get there. TrustATrader's
leave a review page works from a mobile phone, so a quick link after the job is often enough.
Step 3: Follow up once
A polite follow-up a few days after the job catches customers who intended to review but forgot. A short email or text thanking them again and including the link is usually all it takes. One follow-up is professional; repeated chasing feels pushy.
Step 4: Ask every customer, not just the easy ones
It is tempting to ask only customers who seem delighted. Every job is a potential review, and a mix of five-star feedback and honest commentary reads as more genuine than a string of perfect scores. The traders who receive the most work through TrustATrader are those with a decent number of recent reviews, added photographs and a detailed profile.
Step 5: Say thank you
When a review arrives, acknowledge it. A quick thank you, or a response that explains how the job was resolved, shows the next reader that you care about feedback. It also keeps you visible in the review feed, which nudges other customers to add their own.
What to do if you get a negative review
No trader enjoys a negative review, but they happen to everyone eventually, and how you handle them matters more than the review itself. TrustATrader's complaints team investigates anything scoring under three stars before it is published. We contact both you and the customer, hear each side and gather evidence, so unfair or fake feedback is usually filtered out before anyone sees it.
If a negative review is published, the customer has the option to update or retract it once the problem is resolved. If it stays live, you get the chance to leave a response after 14 days. A calm, factual reply that explains what happened and what you did to fix it reassures future customers far more than silence would.
Traders who repeatedly fall below our standards are removed under the three strike rule, which is why the system stays fair for everyone who plays by the rules.
Troubleshooting common review problems
Customers say they will review but never do. Send one gentle reminder with the link, and make sure the customer knows it takes less than five minutes.
A customer cannot find where to leave feedback. Point them to the review link on their profile page, or hand over a review card with the address on it.
You are not sure a review is genuine. Every review is checked, and reviews under three stars are investigated before publication. If you suspect a fake review, contact the TrustATrader team and we will look into it.
Your older reviews are disappearing. Reviews are not accepted for work completed more than two years ago, so keep asking for feedback on recent jobs to keep your profile current.
Next steps
Reviews do not work alone. The members who get the most from TrustATrader pair their reviews with photographs of recent work, up-to-date qualifications and a profile that tells customers exactly what they offer. Sign in to your membership account to check your stats, update your details and see how your advert is performing.
If you are not yet a member, applications are open for trades in many areas, and you will need a minimum of five references to join. Find out more on the join page, or ask a question through the FAQs.