What’s the best type of advertising? Word of mouth. This has been true since the dawn of business, and, usually, it’s focused on the customer’s experience; but when it comes to roofing, there’s another player on the board not often considered—the manufacturer working with the roofing company.
At Equity Commercial Roofing, we’re proud to be recommended by Elevate, formerly known as Firestone Building Products. But what does that recommendation mean for you, your business, and your roof?
This article will cover what an Elevate recommendation does and does not guarantee, and why it can make a difference when evaluating roofing contractors for a commercial project in Central Pennsylvania.
Elevate has been synonymous with quality in the commercial roofing industry for over 40 years and is scrupulous in choosing contractors for recommendation. The company previously operated under Bridgestone ownership before being acquired by Holcim—the world's largest construction materials manufacturer—in 2020.
ACP, the regional rep for Elevate, is responsible for maintaining professional relationships and connections, which are paramount in the commercial industry. Equity Commercial Roofing has the pleasure of working with Kevin Cooper of ACP as our Elevate representative, and he was kind enough to share his insight on this unique connection.
Kevin noted that ACP reps tend to vet contractors before recommending them, ensuring alignment between the manufacturer's quality standards and the contractor's installation practices.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Equity Commercial Roofing on several projects for different clients, and their professionalism and quality of work are truly unmatched. Their attention to detail, reliability, and commitment to excellence consistently exceed expectations. Being Elevate certified further sets them apart as a top-tier roofing contractor—a testament to their expertise and dedication to high standards. I highly recommend them for any commercial roofing needs.” —Kevin Cooper, Verified Google Review
Elevate and its ACP rep group take a deliberate approach to who they associate with, taking several factors into their evaluation. When Equity Commercial Roofing approached ACP about certification, the process involved a direct conversation about long-term goals, crew quality, and commitment to the industry.
The evaluation framework looks at several factors:
Training is also an active part of the relationship. As an example, Elevate recently brought its mobile trainer to the Equity Commercial Roofing facility for a full-day, hands-on session covering installation techniques and custom detail work, including metal scupper boxes.
This type of in-person, application-focused training is not standard across the industry, despite being invaluable to crew members.
One of the more distinctive aspects of working with Elevate is its Quality Installation Rating system, known as the QIR. No other major roofing manufacturer tracks this kind of data at a contractor level.
The QIR measures the number of leak calls generated per million square feet of roofing installed, with a lower score meaning fewer post-installation issues and stronger overall quality. Here is how the rating scale breaks down:
| QIR Rating | What It Signals | Contractor Standing |
| 1.0 or below | Very few leak calls relative to the volume installed | High quality: meets specifier requirements for premium projects |
| 1.1 to 2.0 | Moderate leak call rate; within acceptable range for many projects | Qualified: may be restricted from certain specification-driven bids |
| Above 2.0 | Elevated leak call rate relative to installed volume | At risk: Elevate may reassess the contractor relationship |
| Building Toward a Rating | Insufficient installed volume to generate a score | Actively building installation volume: evaluate by project history, training record, and manufacturer relationship |
The Elevate recommendation is a good-faith endorsement based on what the manufacturer and rep group have observed from Equity Commercial Roofing. It reflects their confidence in our installation standards and our commitment to long-term work.
Here is what the recommendation means:
The recommendation is not a warranty or guarantee of any specific project outcome. It’s important to note that Elevate is not liable for installation results. That responsibility remains with us as the contractor, backed by our workmanship warranty.
The Elevate recommendation carries the most weight in large-scale or long-term roofing projects, where installation quality directly impacts lifecycle costs.
“If a customer is worried about quality,” Kevin explains, “that's where certification, the recommendation really comes into play.”
If you are evaluating contractors and want to confirm their standing with Elevate, the table below outlines what to ask for:
| What to Ask For | What It Tells You |
| Certified applicator letter | Confirms that the contractor holds current Elevate certification; this is the most straightforward proof of the manufacturer's standing. |
| QIR rating | Reveals the contractor's post-installation leak call record relative to volume installed. |
| Confirmation from the local rep group (ACP) | Provides independent verification of certification status directly from the manufacturer's regional representative. |
| Length of certification | A longer-standing relationship signals sustained quality. A brand-new certification warrants additional scrutiny of project references. |
| Training history with Elevate | Hands-on, manufacturer-sponsored training (especially rooftop or in-facility sessions) indicates a contractor who stays current on installation standards and system details. |
These questions are reasonable due diligence for any commercial roofing project. A contractor confident in their manufacturer relationships should be able to answer all of them without hesitation.
Elevate's recommendation of Equity Commercial Roofing reflects a relationship built on shared quality standards, hands-on training, and a track record of work that the manufacturer's rep group is willing to put their name behind. It is a certification and relationship that we’re incredibly proud of, and look forward to growing for many years to come.
For Central Pennsylvania building owners evaluating commercial roofing contractors based on quality, this distinction is worth noting. If you want to discuss a project or learn more about how our Elevate certification applies to your specific roofing system, reach out to Equity Commercial Roofing today.