This page covers three searches: fees per certificate, fee per job and minimum volume. They are all ways a trader gets paid, and you compare them on one number.
How traders get paid
| Model | How it works | Who it favours |
|---|---|---|
| Fee per certificate | A set dollar amount deducted per STC | Smaller systems, with fewer certificates |
| Fee per job | A flat amount for each claim | Larger systems, with more certificates |
| Spread | Trader pays less than the price it sells at | Everyone, but it is invisible unless the rate is published |
| Subscription or admin fee | Monthly or setup charge | Higher-volume installers |
| Volume tiers | Better rate above a threshold | High-volume installers |
Many traders combine two or more of these.
Fees per certificate
A per-certificate fee is deducted from the amount you receive for each STC. On a system with 100 certificates, a fee of a dollar per certificate is $100. Read the agreement for how it is shown, because some traders show it as a lower rate rather than a line item.
Fees per job
A flat fee per job costs the same on a 3 kW system as on a 10 kW system. That is a fraction of the value of a big job and a large share of a small one. If you do many small installs or hot water systems, check the maths on your average job.
Minimum volumes
Some traders offer their best rate only above a monthly certificate or job threshold. Questions to ask:
- What is the threshold and how is it measured?
- What happens to the rate if you fall below it?
- Is there a penalty, or only a rate change?
- Can you move between tiers month to month?
A minimum is fine if you meet it comfortably. It is a trap if it locks you into one trader for volume you cannot guarantee.
A fair comparison
Work out, on a typical job:
- certificates produced
- rate paid
- fees deducted
- GST treatment
- net deposit
Do it for each trader on the same job, and add the payment term. See STC payment terms for why speed belongs in the comparison.
What this means for installers
The cheapest-looking trader is not always the cheapest. A one-dollar fee with a slow term can cost more than a higher fee with fast settlement. Our model is simple: zero fees and a published rate, with a named account manager, and partner tiers that improve the rate as your volume grows. See pricing, the Partner Program and how a no-fee model works. The wider comparison is in how to compare STC traders.