You know the feeling. The dishwasher is leaking, or you need a mortgage broker, or your kid needs a tutor, and you think: “Someone I know must have a person for this.” They probably do. But asking can feel oddly awkward. Do you post in a group chat? Text one friend? Wait for someone else to bring it up?
Asking for recommendations is one of the oldest and best ways to find a trustworthy pro. It just takes a little technique to get answers that are actually useful. Here are some tips and ready-to-use message examples.
Why asking people still works
When a friend recommends a pro, you’re getting more than a name. You’re getting a story: how the job went, how the pro communicated, whether the price was fair, and whether your friend would hire them again. You can ask follow-up questions. And because your friend is putting their own reputation behind the name, recommendations tend to be thoughtful.
Online reviews come from people you don’t know and can’t question. A recommendation comes from someone whose standards you know. If you’re curious how they compare, see our post on word of mouth vs online reviews.
Who to ask
- Close friends and family, who’ll give you honest, detailed feedback
- Neighbors, especially for home services, since they likely have similar houses, local rules, and pros who serve your area
- Coworkers, especially for anything related to professional services
- Parents at your kids’ school, for tutors, sitters, and activities
- Other pros you trust, such as your real estate agent, who knows many tradespeople
- Friends of friends, the often-overlooked treasure. Someone you know probably knows someone who just did the exact thing you need.
Don’t forget to ask who they’d recommend and who they’d avoid. People are often more candid in a one-on-one message than in a public post.
Make your request easy to answer
Good requests share the same ingredients.
- What you need, in a sentence
- Where you are, such as your neighborhood or city
- Timing, if there’s urgency
- What matters to you, like fair pricing, great communication, or a small, family-run shop
- What you’d like back, such as a name and number plus a quick note about how it went
The more specific you are, the more helpful the replies.
Message examples you can copy
Quick text to a friend
Hey! Quick question. Do you have a plumber you trust? Our kitchen faucet is dripping and I’d love someone reliable who isn’t going to upsell me. Who do you use?
Neighborhood group or community post
Hi neighbors! Looking for a recommendation for a house cleaner in [neighborhood]. Ideally someone reliable who does recurring visits. If you have someone you love, feel free to comment or message me. Thank you!
Asking a friend-of-a-friend
Hi [Name], [Mutual Friend] mentioned you recently bought a home and used a great mortgage broker. Would you be willing to share who you worked with and how it went? I’d really appreciate it.
For a sensitive service (like a therapist or doctor)
Hi! No pressure at all, but do you know a good [type of provider] you’d recommend? I’m happy to keep this private. A name and what you liked about them would be so helpful.
For something urgent
Hi! Our water heater just died and we need someone ASAP in [area]. Do you know a plumber who can come today or tomorrow? Any leads welcome.
Asking for more detail after a recommendation
Thank you so much for the recommendation! What was the job, roughly, and how did the final price compare with the estimate? And would you hire them again?
When you want multiple opinions
Does anyone have a go-to electrician they trust for a small job (replacing a few outlets)? If you have two names, even better, so I can compare. Thanks!
Questions to ask once you get a name
A name is a start. A few follow-ups help you decide whether the pro fits your situation.
- What did they do for you?
- How was the communication and scheduling?
- Was the price fair, and did it match the estimate?
- Did they clean up and finish on time?
- Any surprises or issues? How did they handle them?
- Would you hire them again?
- Is there anything I should know or ask them?
Say thank you, and pay it forward
When someone takes the time to recommend a pro, thank them. Let them know how it turned out. And when you find a pro you love, pass the name along. Good recommendations circulate when everyone shares them, and they help good pros thrive. Read more in why recommending a pro you love matters.
When your circle runs dry
Sometimes nobody you ask has the right name. That’s normal, especially for specialized services. A few ideas:
- Ask a wider circle, like a neighborhood group or friends of friends
- Ask a related pro: “My plumber is great but doesn’t do tile. Who does your tile work?”
- Ask the pro for references from past clients, and verify any name you find, as covered in our guide to finding a trusted service pro near you
Tips for a better ask
- Keep it short. Long messages get skipped.
- Be clear it’s okay to say no or “I don’t have anyone.”
- Don’t forward a friend’s name without asking if they’d prefer privacy.
- Offer something in return, like sharing your own recommendations.
- Verify the basics. A recommendation is a head start, not a substitute for checking licenses, insurance, and written estimates.
How MY PRO: TRUSTED PROS® can help
Texting around is a fine way to find a pro, but it can get scattered, and your friend of a friend is hard to reach. MY PRO: TRUSTED PROS® is a social & professional networking app where you connect with service pros through the people in your own network, with visibility up to second-degree connections. It has the familiar feel of a social feed, with likes, comments, and messaging. Pros build visibility through real client relationships.
FAQ
Is word of mouth still better than advertising?
Many people still lean on friends and family when choosing a local pro, because a recommendation comes with context and trust that an ad or an anonymous review can’t offer. That’s why personal recommendations are often where people start.
What’s the best way to ask for a recommendation?
Be specific about what you need, where you are, and what matters to you. Keep the message short and make it easy to say yes or no.
Should I post publicly or message people privately?
Both work. Public posts reach more people. Private messages often get more candid answers, especially for sensitive services.
How do I ask for a recommendation without sounding pushy?
Make it clear there’s no pressure, thank people for their time, and offer to return the favor.
What if the recommended pro doesn’t work out?
Politely let your friend know, and remember that every situation is different. You can always ask for a second name.
Ask the people you trust, all in one place
Download MY PRO: TRUSTED PROS® on the App Store and Google Play, and see the pros your network already trusts. Learn more at my-pro.io or email hello@my-pro.io.