As we move into the new year, we’re implementing several adjustments to ensure the high-quality service you expect. Here’s what’s changing in 2025.
Price Adjustments
Due to rising service costs, our rates will increase effective February 1, 2025, as indicated in the email you would have received from STA. This increase remains below the residential construction sector’s CPI for the past year.
We will continue to provide address changes and minor administrative adjustments at no charge.
With recent updates to our processes, these requests are now faster than ever.
Additionally, our progress reports, launched this year, offer clearer insights into delivery timelines and any project blockages. At STA, we are always working to improve our services and welcome your feedback.
Key Service Updates
Soils & Foundations (ES)
[New] Additional Fee – Soil Test – Service Locator (OH&S Clearance Only)
Service Code: 812
This is a new service offering. It is for any site where there is a risk of underground services being present. The current process ranges from acceptance of waiver forms to waiting for full underground service reports prepared by third party providers.
This allows our fully trained technicians to provide a site evaluation and scanning service at the time of our soil investigation, to clear the locations for our driller to safely drill and manage risk for all parties.
The added benefit of this service is that there are no unnecessary delays waiting for receipt of an underground services report, except in high risk situations where we may request engagement of a certified third party locator.
Please note: a full Underground Services report is not produced with this service and if required, a certified third party provider must be engaged to undertake this. This can be undertaken in addition to our OH&S clearance service if preferred to avoid delays, whilst still having a report for other proposed works at your site.
For further information on this service contact our Business Development Manager.
[New] Additional Fee – Soil Test – Limited Access
Service Code: 109
This is an add-on for any soil test where it is not possible to gain entry with our ute-mounted drill rigs to locate bore holes as required for the proposed structure.
This often applies where there is a house on site at the time of the soil test. This fee accounts for the additional time taken on site for our technician to use hand held equipment to take samples.
This fee is replacing the service “Soil Test – Ste Classification (Ltd Rig Access)” – there is no additional cost to current price packs as such. A soil test will now be grouped with the additional fee – if known upfront this will not affect how much a client is currently being charged. It simply provides greater order and booking efficiency.
[New] Additional Fee – Design – Bridging/Building Over/Near Services
Service Code: 805
With ever stringent requirements being imposed by councils and/or infrastructure authorities, the additional fee (in place for past 12 months), will now be charged for lots affected by these imposed requirements.
This fee is to allow for the additional time required to design and detail affected slabs/foundations e.g. build over, bridging, piering and offset detailing to meet the relevant authorities requirements. Completion and/or lodgement of application forms to relevant council/authorities continues to be excluded from this fee.
Structural (CE)
To simplify the fee structure for complex and/or high-wind-affected designs, we’ve replaced the “High Wind/Seismic Surcharge” (Service Code: 605) in favour of specific products that provide transparent, consistent fees upfront.
Similar to the previous additional fee, high wind applies to sites with a wind rating/windspeed equivalent to or in excess of N4 and C2 wind speeds. These products also apply to complex jobs which fall outside of typical building sizes and design/detailing requirements. This remains at the discretion of STA (generally applicable to quoted and/or non-typical jobs as per current approach).
[New] Design – Sub Floor Bracing & Columns – Complex (Per Level)
Service Code: 250
[New] Design – Wall Bracing & Tie Down – Complex (Single/First Level)
Service Code: 251
[New] Design – Wall Bracing & Tie Down – Complex (Per Additional Level)
Service Code: 252
[New] Design – Wall Framing/Block Walls/Roof Beams – Complex (Per Level)
Service Code: 255
[New] Design – Floor Framing – Complex (Per Level)
Service Code: 256
[New] Design – Roof Framing – Complex (Per Level)
Service Code: 257
[Replaced] Additional Fee – C3/N5+ High wind/Seismic Design surcharge – $300 min or 30% of order cost
Service Code: 605
Hydraulics (HYD)
Did you know that STA has a full Building Hydraulics team?
They are capable of supporting all residential Hydraulics needs, from sanitary design suiting determined soil conditions, water reticulation, stormwater, gutter design, flood code assessments, effluent design, and (of increasing importance) performance solutions.
Performance solutions offered currently by STA include: NSW pipework articulation, reduced external steps, shower and wet area falls and weatherproofing/DPC issues.
For further information on this service or additional performance solution requirements, contact our Business Development Manager.
[New] Report – Performance Solution – NSW Pipework Articulation
Service Code: 149
[New] Report – Performance Solution – Reduced External Step Down
Service Code: 148
[New] Report – Performance Solution – Shower area falls
Service Code: 157
[New] Report – Performance Solution – Weatherproofing/DPC/Weepholes
Service Code: 150
[New] Report – Performance Solution – Wet Area Falls
Service Code: 151
Inspections (IAS)
This year we have streamlined the rectification process, introducing both standard and custom rectifications, reducing the cost and lead times for standard rectifications.
We continue to offer Maintenance inspections with varying levels of report issued depending on the level of damage observed. Where damage is well within limits set out by the standards, charges may apply and it is recommended that your team assess the property first against our standard information sheets prior to engaging us to inspect.
An order form must be completed with these orders and can be supplied upon request.
Inspection – Maintenance Report
Service Code: 030
Other orders you may not be aware of that we can offer include On-Site Drainage inspections and Dilapidation Reports.
Inspection – On-Site Drainage
Service Code: 010
On-site drainage inspections can be undertaken by STA prior to handover, to document the state of drainage on the site against what has been designed by STA or by yourselves. This can be crucial if there is any dispute down the track, with regards to foundation performance, assisting with identification of changes to site conditions, due to poor maintenance by the homeowner or other changes such as the introduction of trees.
Inspection – Dilapidation Report
Service Code: 200
Dilapidation inspections are a method of documenting the condition of surrounding properties or council areas prior to construction of your project. With an increase of knock-down rebuild projects in established areas, this can easily diffuse a claim that construction of your project has caused damage. Fees vary depending on scope, but please contact our sales team on enquiries@staconsulting.com.au for a quote on your next project.
Update to Terms & Privacy
We’re also updating our commercial trading terms and privacy policy. You can always find the current version of these policy documents here on the STA website.
More Information
For more details on any of these changes and updates, or for a project-specific quote, please reach out to our sales team at enquiries@staconsulting.com.au.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and trust in STA as we move forward together into 2025.
