Faulty electrical work is invisible — until it isn't.
An electrician who skips permits or cuts corners on grounding creates hazards that take years to surface. OnlyReferences calls their past clients before you let anyone near your panel.
Why it matters
What references reveal that everything else doesn’t
A license tells you what they're allowed to do — not how they actually work
Licensing verifies minimum qualifications, not work habits. Past clients reveal whether an electrician pulls permits consistently, communicates clearly, and stands behind their work when issues arise.
Electrical defects often surface years after the job
A failed connection behind a wall can smolder for months before causing a fire. References from clients who've lived with the work for 1–3 years give you the most reliable quality signal.
Skipping permits creates liability for you — not the contractor
If unpermitted electrical work causes damage or injury, your homeowner's insurance may deny the claim. References will tell you whether a contractor routinely pulls permits or talks you out of them.
Sample Reference Report
AI-generatedCarlos Rivera
Licensed Electrician · Austin, TX
AI Summary
Carlos Rivera received consistently high marks across all three reference calls. Past clients praised his permit discipline — he pulled permits on every job without being asked — and his first-time inspection pass rate. One reference noted he proactively identified a grounding issue outside the original scope and flagged it before it became a safety hazard. No red flags were reported.
Positives
- Pulled permits on every job — confirmed by three separate references
- 100% first-inspection pass rate reported across all projects reviewed
- Proactively flagged an out-of-scope grounding issue at no additional charge
- Responded to a callback within 24 hours, resolved issue same day
Red Flags
- Books 3–4 weeks out; limited availability for urgent projects
“He found a grounding problem I didn't even know I had and fixed it without charging me. That's rare.”
— Priya N., past client
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The process
How OnlyReferences works
Search for your contractor
Enter the contractor's name. If they're not in our database yet, you can add them and we'll reach out directly.
We call their past clients
OnlyReferences conducts structured interviews with 3–4 references — covering budget, timeline, communication, and red flags.
Get your report in 48 hours
Receive a clear, AI-synthesized reference report with positives, red flags, and full interview transcripts.
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