Everyone wants the highest STC price. The installers who get the best outcome are the ones who treat it as a package, not a single number.
1. Know your net
Work out what you actually receive per certificate after every deduction, on a standard job. This is the number you negotiate and compare. See good STC trader price.
2. Lodge clean claims
Every failed or audited claim costs time and sometimes money. Traders price in that risk, and a cleaner installer is cheaper to serve. Use the photo and form checklists in STC photo requirements and the assignment form guide. Fewer failures also puts you in a stronger negotiating position.
3. Bring predictable volume
Traders reward steady volume because it spreads their fixed costs. Volume tiers can lift a rate or unlock priority settlement. See volume rates. Do not expect big changes under a small monthly count; the discount is real for crews doing dozens of jobs a month.
4. Negotiate the whole package
| Lever | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Net rate | Dollar rate, written |
| Lock | At lodgement of a complete claim |
| Settlement | Hours or business days from a named event |
| Fees | Zero, or listed |
| Failed claims | Who bears the cost |
| Review | When rates are reviewed as volume grows |
5. Settle faster
Moving from 20-day to 1-day terms on $25,000 of weekly STCs frees roughly $75,000 of working capital. That often beats a 50-cent rate difference. See payment terms.
6. Sell the right way
Unregistered through a trusted agent is usually best net for small and mid-sized installers. See registered vs unregistered prices.
7. Compare on a live test
Send the same three claims to two providers and compare net dollars, days and the quality of support.
What this means for installers
The best price is the best net outcome. Energy Merchants publishes its rate daily, locks it on lodgement of a complete claim, charges zero fees and settles within 24 hours for established partners. Join the Partner Program for tiered perks as your volume grows, check pricing, and see the STC trading pillar or the switch guide.
Reviewing every quarter
Set a quarterly check: failed-claim rate, average days to cash, rate versus spot, and volume. Take the figures to your account manager and ask what tier or perk the numbers qualify you for. Providers respond to data far better than to general requests.