When should homeowners get the card?
At the startup walkthrough, every homeowner, the same way. The greeting card stays with them, so they can review after the first swim if they like.
What about jobs that ran late?
They get the same greeting card. Never skip homeowners you think are unhappy; Google's policy doesn't allow asking only the happy ones. Your report shows delays plainly.
We also do pool service. One profile?
One profile can cover building and service if they're the same business; pick the primary category that matches most of your work.
How does verification work for a pool contractor?
Google chooses how you verify; for a service-area business it's usually a short video showing your business and equipment.
Can we ask homeowners to add photos?
No. Google's policy doesn't allow asking for specific content in a review, and that includes photos, a rating or particular wording. Many homeowners add photos of the finished pool on their own.
Is there anything we should avoid asking customers?
Yes: never ask for a specific star rating or wording, never offer anything in return for a review, and never ask only the customers you think are happy. The card simply makes it easy for everyone to leave an honest review.
Is “Swimming pool contractor” the right Google category for me?
For most businesses like yours, yes. “Swimming pool contractor” is the exact name in Google's category list, and it should be your primary category. Choose only categories that describe what you actually do. When we set up or clean up your profile, we check each one in Google's own category picker.