The Best Time to Ask for a Review

Timing is everything when it comes to review requests. We analyzed thousands of review requests to find the optimal timing for different industries.

Ask too soon, and the customer hasn't had time to appreciate your work. Ask too late, and they've forgotten about you. The timing of your review request can make or break your conversion rate.

The Psychology of Timing

When a customer receives great service, they experience a "peak of satisfaction." This is when they're most likely to share their positive experience. Wait too long, and that peak fades as they move on to the next thing in their life.

Your goal is to catch them at (or near) that peak.

General Guidelines

Based on our analysis of thousands of review requests across different industries, here are the sweet spots:

• Same-day service: 1-4 hours after completion
• Multi-day projects: Within 24 hours of final completion
• Ongoing services: After each major milestone or monthly

Industry-Specific Timing

HVAC & Plumbing

Best timing: 2-4 hours after service completion

Why: The customer can immediately see that their AC is working or their leak is fixed. They're relieved and grateful—perfect time to ask.

Lawn Care & Landscaping

Best timing: Same evening or next morning

Why: Give them time to admire their freshly-cut lawn or new landscape in good lighting. Morning requests perform well as they see their yard while leaving for work.

Moving & Junk Removal

Best timing: Same day, 2-3 hours after completion

Why: The relief of a completed move or cleared space is immediate. Don't wait—they'll be unpacking boxes and forget about you by tomorrow.

Cleaning Services

Best timing: Same evening (6-8 PM)

Why: The customer comes home to a clean house after work. That's peak satisfaction. Evening requests catch them in that moment.

Best Day of the Week

Our data shows that Tuesday through Thursday have the highest review submission rates. People are settled into their week but not yet rushing toward the weekend.

Monday mornings and Friday afternoons tend to have lower response rates—people are either catching up or mentally checked out.

Best Time of Day

For text messages: 10 AM - 12 PM or 6 PM - 8 PM

For emails: 9 AM - 11 AM (gets read with morning email check)

Avoid early morning (before 9 AM) and late night (after 9 PM)—these feel intrusive.

The Follow-Up Timing

If your first request doesn't get a response, a follow-up can double your conversion rate. The ideal timing for follow-ups:

• First follow-up: 3-4 days after initial request
• Second follow-up: 7 days after initial request (optional)

More than two follow-ups can feel pushy—stop there.

Let Automation Handle the Timing

Remembering to send review requests at the optimal time for every customer is impossible to do manually. That's why automation is so powerful—it ensures every request goes out at exactly the right moment, every time.

Review Monster automatically times your review requests based on industry best practices, so you get maximum response rates without lifting a finger.