Trust & Governance
How CRI Works
A plain-language explanation of how this platform operates — how content gets made, how the business earns money, and the wall between the two.
Effective and last reviewed:
1. We publish knowledge
CRI produces encyclopedia references, decision guides, comparisons, situation guidance, decision tools, and datasets about commercial roofing. Everything is produced under our Editorial Standards and, for anything with numbers, our Methodology.
2. You use it freely
The knowledge base is free. No paywall, no required registration, no gating of safety or decision-critical information. Most readers use CRI, make better decisions, and we never hear from them. That is the platform working as designed.
3. Some readers ask to be connected
Some readers conclude they need professional roofing services. If a reader asks, CRI can refer the opportunity to a vetted commercial roofing contractor. Referrals happen only at the reader’s request — educational pages do not push services.
4. Referrals fund the platform
Contractors may pay CRI for qualified referrals. That revenue funds the research, writing, review, tools, and data work you see here. Every relationship is disclosed on Funding & Relationships.
The wall between money and editorial
- Editorial decisions are made without referral-partner input, review, or veto.
- No page exists to generate referrals; pages exist to answer decisions.
- Referral options are always labeled and always separate from editorial content.
- If we ever recommend against action that would have produced a referral, the reader’s interest wins. That is the test.
How CRI content is vetted
Every piece of CRI content must:
- Be based on reputable industry sources, applicable building codes, manufacturer documentation, engineering guidance, and field experience where appropriate.
- Distinguish clearly between verified facts, industry best practices, and editorial analysis.
- Be technically reviewed before publication when construction methods or repair recommendations are discussed.
- Be updated when significant standards, regulations, or industry guidance change.
- Disclose any relevant conflicts of interest or business relationships.
- Include citations for factual claims, statistics, and technical specifications whenever practical.
CRI Referral Partner Standards
"Vetted" is a promise, so here is its definition. A contractor may receive CRI referrals only while meeting every criterion below:
- Valid state commercial roofing license.
- Current general liability and workers' compensation insurance.
- Verifiable client references from completed commercial projects.
- Manufacturer certifications for the systems they install.
- A written agreement prohibiting high-pressure sales tactics.
- Agreement that unresolved client disputes are grounds for removal from the CRI network.
These standards apply to every partner, including partners that share ownership with CRI — see Funding & Relationships. If your experience with a referred contractor falls short of them, report it.
Why this model
Advertising-funded publishing optimizes for attention. Contractor-owned content optimizes for sales. A referral model funded by disclosed, reader-initiated connections lets CRI optimize for the only thing that compounds: being right and being trusted.