Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) 10-Q 1 Aug 16 2016 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jul. 29, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	STERLING CONSTRUCTION CO INC
Entity Central Index Key	874,238
Trading Symbol	strl
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		25,002,964
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 42,635	$ 4,426
Contracts receivable, including retainage	106,595	82,112
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	35,391	26,905
Inventories	3,725	2,535
Sterling’s receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures	7,365	12,930
Other current assets	5,428	6,013
Total current assets	201,139	134,921
Property and equipment, net	72,035	73,475
Goodwill	54,820	54,820
Other assets, net	2,968	2,949
Total assets	330,962	266,165
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	79,853	58,959
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	56,914	30,556
Current maturities of long-term debt	4,854	4,856
Income taxes payable	27	67
Accrued compensation	10,855	5,977
Other current liabilities	4,869	3,896
Total current liabilities	157,372	104,311
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	13,044	15,324
Member’s interest subject to mandatory redemption and undistributed earnings	49,260	50,438
Other long-term liabilities	389	338
Total long-term liabilities	62,693	66,100
Sterling stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 28,000,000 shares authorized, 25,002,964 and 19,753,170 shares issued	250	198
Additional paid in capital	208,031	188,147
Retained deficit	(97,805)	(92,500)
Total Sterling common stockholders’ equity	110,476	95,845
Noncontrolling interests	421	(91)
Total equity	110,897	95,754
Total liabilities and equity	$ 330,962	$ 266,165

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	28,000,000	28,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	25,002,964	19,753,170

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Revenues	$ 189,582	$ 177,425	$ 316,149	$ 295,107
Cost of revenues	(173,493)	(168,314)	(296,230)	(292,832)
Gross profit	16,089	9,111	19,919	2,275
General and administrative expenses	(9,104)	(9,598)	(19,646)	(21,201)
Other operating income (expense), net	(3,604)	325	(3,358)	2,086
Operating income (loss)	3,381	(162)	(3,085)	(16,840)
Interest income	1	69	4	432
Interest expense	(812)	(634)	(1,685)	(1,016)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(240)		(240)
Income (loss) before income taxes and earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,570	(967)	(4,766)	(17,664)
Income tax expense	(27)	(28)	(27)	(31)
Net income (loss)	2,543	(995)	(4,793)	(17,695)
Noncontrolling owners’ interests in earnings of subsidiaries and joint ventures	(520)	(1,547)	(512)	(1,839)
Net income (loss) attributable to Sterling common stockholders	$ 2,023	$ (2,542)	$ (5,305)	$ (19,534)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Sterling common stockholders:
Basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ (0.13)	$ (0.25)	$ (1.03)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in computing per share amounts:
Basic (in shares)	22,761,671	19,269,977	21,260,946	19,040,870
Diluted (in shares)	22,958,551	19,269,977	21,260,946	19,040,870

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Net loss attributable to Sterling common stockholders	$ 2,023	$ (2,542)	$ (5,305)	$ (19,534)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests included in equity	520	1,547	512	1,839
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Realized loss from settlement of derivatives		33		83
Change in the effective portion of unrealized loss in fair market value of derivatives		8
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 2,543	$ (954)	$ (4,793)	$ (17,612)

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes In Equity (Unaudited) - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2016 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	19,753
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 198	$ 188,147	$ (92,500)	$ (91)	$ 95,754
Net income (loss)			(5,305)	512	(4,793)
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	79
Stock-based compensation		805			805
Stock issued in equity offering, net of expense (in shares)	5,175
Stock issued in equity offering, net of expense	$ 52	19,092			19,144
Other (in shares)	(4)
Other		(13)			(13)
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2016	25,003
Balance at Jun. 30, 2016	$ 250	$ 208,031	$ (97,805)	$ 421	$ 110,897

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss attributable to Sterling common stockholders	$ (5,305)	$ (19,534)
Plus: Noncontrolling owners’ interests in earnings of subsidiaries and joint ventures	512	1,839
Net loss	(4,793)	(17,695)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,144	8,390
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	(274)	(999)
Stock-based compensation expense	805	489
Loss on extinguishment of debt		240
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Contracts receivable	(24,483)	(21,667)
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	(8,486)	7,900
Inventories	(1,190)	1,634
Receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures	5,565	(1,684)
Other assets	(504)	(570)
Accounts payable	20,894	8,967
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	26,358	9,488
Accrued compensation and other liabilities	5,877	(171)
Member’s interest subject to mandatory redemption and undistributed earnings	(1,178)	2,054
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	26,735	(3,624)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	(6,070)	(3,267)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	1,394	3,278
Restricted cash used as collateral for letter of credit		(2,950)
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,676)	(2,939)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cumulative daily drawdowns – Credit Facility		110,378
Cumulative daily repayments – Credit Facility		(144,979)
Cash received– equipment-based term loan		20,000
Cumulative repayments – equipment-based term loan and other	(2,948)
Cumulative drawdowns – equipment-based revolver	19,000	14,550
Cumulative repayments – equipment-based revolver	(19,000)
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	19,144
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners		(2,451)
Other	(46)	558
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	16,150	(1,944)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	38,209	(8,507)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	4,426	22,843
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	42,635	14,336
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest	1,940	749
Cash paid during the period for income taxes		542
Non-cash items:
Transportation and construction equipment acquired through financing arrangements	$ 511	$ 987

Note 1 - Business Summary and S

Note 1 - Business Summary and Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	1. Business Summary and Significant Accounting Policies Business Summary Sterling Construction Company, Inc. (“Sterling” or “the Company”), a Delaware corporation, is a leading heavy civil construction company that specializes in the building and reconstruction of transportation and water infrastructure projects in Texas, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, California, Hawaii and other states in which there are construction opportunities. Its transportation infrastructure projects include highways, roads, bridges, airfields, ports and light rail. Its water infrastructure projects include water, wastewater and storm drainage systems. Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Sterling, without audit, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (“2015 Form 10-K”). Certain information and note disclosures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been either condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position at June 30, 2016 and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The December 31, 2015 condensed consolidated balance sheet data herein was derived from audited financial statements, but as discussed above, does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. Interim results may be subject to significant seasonal variations and the results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or subsequent quarters. Significant Accounting Policies The Company’s significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2015 Form 10-K. These accounting policies include, but are not limited to, those related to: • revenue recognition • contracts receivable, including retainage • valuation of property and equipment, goodwill and other long-lived assets • income taxes • segment reporting There have been no material changes to significant accounting policies since December 31, 2015. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of subsidiaries and construction joint ventures in which the Company has a greater than 50% ownership interest or otherwise controls such entities. For investments in subsidiaries and construction joint ventures that are not wholly-owned, but where the Company exercises control, the equity held by the remaining owners and their portions of net income (loss) are reflected in the balance sheet line item “Noncontrolling interests” in “Equity” and the statement of operations line item “Noncontrolling owners’ interests in earnings of subsidiaries and joint ventures,” respectively. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For all years presented, the Company had no subsidiaries where its ownership interests were less than 50%. Where the Company is a noncontrolling joint venture partner, and otherwise not required to consolidate the joint venture entity, its share of the operations of such construction joint venture is accounted for on a pro rata basis in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and as a single line item (“Receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures”) in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. This method is an acceptable modification of the equity method of accounting which is a common practice in the construction industry. Refer to Note 7 Under GAAP, the Company must determine whether each entity, including joint ventures in which it participates, is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). This determination focuses on identifying which owner or joint venture partner, if any, has the power to direct the activities of the entity and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity disproportionate to its interest in the entity, which could have the effect of requiring the Company to consolidate the entity in which it has a noncontrolling variable interest. Refer to Note 8 for further information regarding the Company’s consolidated VIE. Use of Estimates The preparation of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Certain of the Company’s accounting policies require higher degrees of judgment than others in their application. These include the recognition of revenue and earnings from construction contracts under the percentage-of-completion method, the valuation of long-term assets (including goodwill) and income taxes. Management continually evaluates all of its estimates and judgments based on available information and experience; however, actual results could differ from these estimates. Reclassification Reclassifications have been made to historical financial data on our condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to our current year presentation. Revenue Recognition The Company is a general contractor which engages in various types of heavy civil construction projects principally for public (government) owners. Credit risk is minimal with public owners since the Company ascertains that funds have been appropriated by the governmental project owner prior to commencing work on such projects. While most public contracts are subject to termination at the election of the government entity, in the event of termination the Company is entitled to receive the contract price for completed work and reimbursement of termination-related costs. Credit risk with private owners is minimized because of statutory mechanics liens, which give the Company high priority in the event of lien foreclosures following financial difficulties of private owners. Revenues are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the ratio of costs incurred up to a given date to estimated total costs for each contract. This cost to cost measure is used because management considers it to be the best available measure of progress on these contracts. Contract costs include all direct material, labor, subcontract and other costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect salaries and wages, equipment repairs and depreciation, insurance and payroll taxes. Administrative and general expenses are charged to expense as incurred. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability, including those changes arising from contract penalty provisions and final contract settlements may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Changes in estimated revenues and gross margin resulted in a net gain of $0.7 million and a net charge of $0.5 million during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, included in “operating income (loss)” on the condensed consolidated statements of operations . . Claims are included in the calculation of revenue when realization is probable and amounts can be reliably determined to the extent costs are incurred. Revenue in excess of contract costs incurred on claims is recognized when an agreement is reached with customers as to the value of the claims. We have a Texas project where we are in the process of negotiating a claim. If negotiations are not successful, we intend to pursue legal avenues to resolve this claim. The claim is primarily related to a change in project timeline due to customer caused delays. The project began late in 2011 and was substantially completed in late 2014. We believe it will be resolved without a material adverse effect on our financial statements. However, claim amounts are subject to negotiations which may cause actual results to differ materially from estimated and recorded amounts. Our contracts generally take 12 to 36 months to complete. The Company generally provides a one to two-year warranty for workmanship under its contracts when completed. Warranty claims historically have been insignificant. Financial Instruments and Fair Value The fair value of financial instruments is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. The Company’s financial instruments are cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash used as collateral for a letter of credit and restricted cash maintained in an escrow account, short-term contracts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable, a revolving loan (the “Revolving Loan”) with Nations Fund I, LLC and Nations Equipment Finance, LLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the lender (“Nations”) and a term loan (the “Term Loan”) with Nations (combined, the “Equipment-based Facility”). The recorded values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term contracts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values based on their liquidity and/or short-term nature. Refer to Note 11 regarding the fair value of the Revolving Loan and the Term Loan and notes payable. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet financial instruments other than operating leases (refer to Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2015 Form 10-K). In order to assess the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, the Company uses the fair value hierarchy established by GAAP which prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into the following three levels: Level 1 Inputs – Based upon quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 Inputs – Based upon quoted prices (other than Level 1) in active markets for similar assets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities and default rates and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 Inputs – Based on unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset based on the best information available. For each financial instrument, the Company uses the highest priority level input that is available in order to appropriately value that particular instrument. In certain instances, Level 1 inputs are not available and the Company must use Level 2 or Level 3 inputs. In these cases, the Company provides a description of the valuation techniques used and the inputs used in the fair value measurement. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance in Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13 Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Among other things, these amendments require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts (forward-looking). Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. This new guidance is effective for public entities for annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim reporting periods therein. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In April and May 2016, the FASB issued additional revenue recognition guidance in ASU No. 2016-12, No. 2016-11 and 2016-10 (Topic 606). All three of these standards provide implementation guidance and clarifications of ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2016-10 provides additional guidance on identifying performance obligations and licensing, ASU 2016-11 rescinds SEC guidance based on the previous revenue recognition standards and ASU 2016-12 relates to narrow-scope improvements and practical expedients. All of these amendments are effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods therein. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued its new stock compensation guidance in ASU No. 2016-09 (Topic 718). First, under the new guidance, companies will be required to recognize the income tax effects of share-based awards in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled (i.e., additional paid-in capital (“APIC”) or APIC pools will be eliminated). In addition, the new guidance allows a withholding amount of awarded shares with a fair value up to the amount of tax owed using the maximum, instead of the minimum, statutory tax rate without triggering liability classification for the award. Lastly, the new guidance allows companies to elect whether to account for forfeitures of share-based payments by (1) recognizing forfeitures of awards as they occur or (2) estimating the number of awards expected to be forfeited and adjusting the estimate when it is likely to change, as is currently required. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has chosen to early adopt this guidance and chosen to account for forfeitures of share-based payments by recognizing forfeitures of awards as they occur. The result of adopting this guidance was immaterial to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued its new lease accounting guidance in ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Note 2 - Cash and Cash Equivale

Note 2 - Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Cash and Cash Equivalents Disclosure [Text Block]	2. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original or remaining maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash balances held by our wholly-owned and less than wholly-owned subsidiaries and majority-owned joint ventures, as well as the Company’s VIE. Refer to Note 8 for more information regarding the Company’s consolidated VIE. At June 30, 2016, cash and cash equivalents included $14.9 million belonging to a majority-owned joint venture which generally cannot be used for purposes outside the joint venture. Restricted cash of approximately $3.0 million is included in “other assets, net” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2016 and represents cash deposited by the Company into a separate account and designated as collateral for a standby letter of credit in the same amount in accordance with contractual agreements. Refer to Note 5 for more information about our standby letter of credit. In addition, restricted cash of approximately $2.0 million is included in “other current assets” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2016 and represents cash deposited by a customer, for the benefit of the Company, in an escrow account which is restricted until the customer releases the restriction upon the completion of the job. The Company holds cash on deposit in U.S. banks, at times, in excess of federally insured limits. Management does not believe that the risk associated with keeping cash deposits in excess of federal deposit insurance limits represents a material risk.

Note 3 - Property and Equipment

Note 3 - Property and Equipment	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	3. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands): June 30, December 31, Construction equipment $ 121,735 $ 114,724 Transportation equipment 18,830 18,056 Buildings 12,728 10,860 Office equipment 2,878 2,810 Leasehold improvement 894 894 Construction in progress 225 1,986 Land 3,509 4,257 Water rights 200 200 160,999 153,787 Less accumulated depreciation (88,964 ) (80,312 ) Total property and equipment, net $ 72,035 $ 73,475

Note 4 - Income Taxes

Note 4 - Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	4. Income Taxes The Company and its subsidiaries file U.S. federal and various U.S. state income tax returns. Current income tax expense or (benefit) represents federal and state taxes based on tax paid or expected to be payable or receivable for the periods shown in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company is not expecting a current federal tax liability due to sufficient net operating loss carry forwards. The Company may incur current state tax liabilities in states in which the Company does not have sufficient net operating loss carry forwards. A minimal tax expense was recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and also for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015. The effective income tax rate varied from the statutory rate primarily as a result of the change in the valuation allowance, net income attributable to noncontrolling interest owners which is taxable to those owners rather than to the Company, state income taxes and other permanent differences. The Company’s deferred tax expense or (benefit) reflects the change in deferred tax assets or liabilities. The Company performs an analysis at the end of each reporting period to determine whether it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets are expected to be realized in future years. Based upon this analysis, a full valuation allowance has been applied to our net deferred tax assets as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Therefore, there has been no change in net deferred taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016. As a result of the Company’s analysis, management has determined that the Company does not have any material uncertain tax positions.

Note 5 - Commitments and Contin

Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	5. Commitments and Contingencies The Company is required by our insurance provider to obtain and hold a standby letter of credit. This letter of credit serves as a guarantee by the banking institution to pay our insurance provider the incurred claim costs attributable to our general liability, workers compensation and automobile liability claims, up to the amount stated in the standby letter of credit, in the event that these claims were not paid by the Company. Due to the change to our Equipment-based Facility, we have cash collateralized the letter of credit, resulting in the cash being designated as restricted. Refer to Note 2 for more information on our restricted cash. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded a legal reserve of $0.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively, as a result of a dispute between one of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries and a subcontractor. These amounts were recorded in “other current liabilities” and as “cost of revenues” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations. The dispute was settled for $1.0 million during the second quarter of 2016 which eliminated the legal reserve recorded. This matter is now resolved in its entirety. The Company is the subject of certain other claims and lawsuits occurring in the normal course of business. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not believe that the outcome of these actions will have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company.

Note 6 - Subsidiaries and Joint

Note 6 - Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures with Noncontrolling Owners' Interests	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure [Text Block]	6. Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures with Noncontrolling Owners’ Interests The amended agreements, as described in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2015 Form 10-K, resulted in an obligation to purchase Mr. Buenting’s and Myers’ 50% members’ interest that the Company is certain to incur, either because of Mr. Buenting’s or Mr. Myers’ death; therefore, the Company has classified the noncontrolling interest as mandatorily redeemable and has recorded a liability in “Members’ interest subject to mandatory redemption and undistributed earnings” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The liability consists of the following (amounts in thousands): June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Members’ interest subject to mandatory redemption $ 40,000 $ 40,000 Net accumulated earnings 9,260 10,438 Total liability $ 49,260 $ 50,438 Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 were $3.9 million for both periods and remained flat and decreased $0.7 million, respectively. These amounts were included in “Other operating income, net” on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. Changes in Noncontrolling Interests The following table summarizes the changes in the noncontrolling owners’ interests in subsidiaries and joint ventures (amounts in thousands): Six Months Ended 2016 2015 Balance, beginning of period $ (91 ) $ 7,462 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest included in equity 512 1,839 Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners - (2,451 ) Balance, end of period $ 421 $ 6,850 Due to the events described in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2015 Form 10-K, the Company’s subsidiaries with noncontrolling interest earnings are minimal.

Note 7 - Construction Joint Ven

Note 7 - Construction Joint Ventures	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]	7. Construction Joint Ventures The Company participates in various construction joint ventures. Generally, each construction joint venture is formed to construct a specific project and is jointly controlled by the joint venture partners. Refer to Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2015 Form 10-K for further information about our joint ventures. Condensed combined financial amounts of joint ventures in which the Company has a noncontrolling interest and the Company’s share of such amounts which are included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements are shown below (amounts in thousands): June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Total combined: Current assets $ 28,816 $ 17,312 Less current liabilities (56,180 ) (49,371 ) Net assets $ (27,364 ) $ (32,059 ) Backlog $ 100,086 $ 35,113 Sterling’s noncontrolling interest in backlog $ 46,407 $ 11,748 Sterling’s receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures $ 7,365 $ 12,930 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 2016 2015 2016 2015 Total combined: Revenues $ 19,750 $ 27,986 $ 28,554 $ 40,992 Income before tax 1,379 2,664 1,913 5,077 Sterling’s noncontrolling interest: Revenues $ 7,684 $ 11,997 $ 11,464 $ 16,549 Income before tax 593 1,329 851 1,664 Approximately $46 million of the Company’s backlog at June 30, 2016 was attributable to projects performed by joint ventures. The majority of this amount is attributable to the Company’s joint venture with Granite Construction Corporation, where the Company has a 49% interest. The caption “Receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures” includes undistributed earnings and receivables owed to the Company. Undistributed earnings are typically released to the joint venture partners after the customer accepts the project as complete and the warranty period, if any, has passed.

Note 8 - Variable Interest Enti

Note 8 - Variable Interest Entities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Variable Interest Entities [Text Block]	8. Variable Interest Entities The Company owns a 50% interest in Myers & Sons Construction, L.P. (“Myers”), of which it is the primary beneficiary and has consolidated Myers into the Company’s financial statements. Because the Company exercises primary control over activities of the partnership and it is exposed to the majority of potential losses of the partnership, the Company has consolidated Myers within the Company’s financial statements since August 1, 2011, the date of acquisition. Refer to Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2015 Form 10-K for additional information on the acquisition of this limited partnership. The condensed financial information of Myers, which is reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations, is as follows (amounts in thousands): June 30, December 31, Assets: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,676 $ 3,226 Contracts receivable, including retainage 21,624 19,941 Other current assets 7,809 15,887 Total current assets 38,109 39,054 Property and equipment, net 10,411 10,080 Goodwill 1,501 1,501 Total assets $ 50,021 $ 50,635 Liabilities: Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 21,877 $ 20,596 Other current liabilities 12,418 10,986 Total current liabilities 34,295 31,582 Long-term liabilities: Other long-term liabilities 321 3,370 Total liabilities $ 34,616 $ 34,952 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Revenues $ 43,967 $ 54,323 $ 70,910 $ 90,591 Operating income 1,982 3,088 2,174 3,669 Net income attributable to Sterling common stockholders 989 1,543 1,083 1,833

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	9. Stockholders’ Equity Stock Offering On May 9, 2016, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 5,175,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, which included the full exercise of the sole underwriter’s over-allotment option, at a price to the public of $4.00 per share ($3.77 per share net of underwriting discounts). The net proceeds from the offering of $19.1 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses, were used for working capital, repayment of our indebtedness under the revolving loan portion of our Equipment-based Facility and for general corporate purposes. Stock-Based Compensation The Company has a stock-based incentive plan which is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Refer to Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2015 Form 10-K for further information. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company awarded a total of 20,000 and 79,240 shares of common stock, respectively, at a weighted-average grant date value of $4.36 per share, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of issuance. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $0.4 million and $0.8 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, and $0.3 million and $0.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively. At June 30, 2016, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested common stock awards was $2.7 million. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years. At June 30, 2016, there were 0.8 million shares of common stock covered by outstanding unvested common stock.

Note 10 - Net Income (Loss) Per

Note 10 - Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Sterling Common Stockholders	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	10. Net Income (Loss) per Share Attributable to Sterling Common Stockholders Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Sterling common stockholders is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Sterling common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share attributable to Sterling common stockholders is the same as basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Sterling common stockholders but includes dilutive unvested stock using the treasury stock method. The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per common share computations for net income (loss) attributable to Sterling common stockholders (amounts in thousands, except per share data): Three Months Ended Six Months 2016 2015 2016 2015 Numerator: Net income (loss) attributable to Sterling common stockholders $ 2,023 $ (2,542 ) $ (5,305 ) $ (19,534 ) Denominator: Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic 22,762 19,270 21,261 19,041 Shares for dilutive unvested stock 197 - - - Weighted average common shares outstanding and incremental shares assumed repurchased— diluted 22,959 19,270 21,261 19,041 Basic and diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Sterling common stockholders $ 0.09 $ (0.13 ) $ (0.25 ) $ (1.03 ) In accordance with the treasury stock method, approximately 0.2 million shares of unvested common stock were excluded from the calculation of the diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2016, as the Company incurred a loss during this period and the impact of such shares would have been antidilutive. In accordance with the treasury stock method, no shares and approximately 0.1 million shares of unvested common stock were excluded from the diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, as the Company incurred a loss during that period and the impact of such shares would have been antidilutive.

Note 11 - Debt

Note 11 - Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	11. Debt Debt consists of the following (in thousands): June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Equipment-based Facility $ 15,574 $ 17,957 Less deferred loan costs (979 ) (1,119 ) Equipment-based Facility, net 14,595 16,838 Notes payable for transportation and construction equipment and other 3,303 3,342 17,898 20,180 Current maturities of long-term debt 5,190 5,192 Less current deferred loan costs (336 ) (336 ) Less current maturities of long-term debt, net (4,854 ) (4,856 ) Total long-term debt $ 13,044 $ 15,324 Equipment-based Facility At June 30, 2016, the Company had a borrowing base of $27.0 million, which was the result of calculating 65% of the appraised value (where appraised value equals net operating liquidated value) of the Company’s collateral. Fair Value The Company’s debt is recorded at its carrying amount in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company uses an income approach to determine the fair value of its 12% Term Loan due May 29, 2019 using estimated cash flows, which is a Level 3 fair value measurement. As of June 30, 2016, the carrying values and fair values are as follows (amounts in thousands): June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Revolving Loan $ - $ - $ - $ - Term Loan 15,574 15,513 17,957 17,957 Total Equipment-based Facility debt $ 15,574 $ 15,513 $ 17,957 $ 17,957 Notes Payable for Transportation and Construction Equipment The Company has purchased and financed various transportation and construction equipment to enhance the Company’s fleet of equipment. The total long-term notes payable related to the purchase of financed equipment was $3.3 million at both June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The purchases have payment terms ranging from 3 to 5 years and the associated interest rates range from 3.12% to 7.13%. The fair value of these notes payable approximates their book value. Interest Expense Interest expense related to our Equipment-based Facility and other debt for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was $0.8 million and $1.7 million, respectively and $0.6 million and $1.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively. The increase in interest expense was due to the increased interest rate on the Equipment-based Facility.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Sterling, without audit, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (“2015 Form 10-K”). Certain information and note disclosures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been either condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position at June 30, 2016 and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The December 31, 2015 condensed consolidated balance sheet data herein was derived from audited financial statements, but as discussed above, does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. Interim results may be subject to significant seasonal variations and the results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or subsequent quarters. Significant Accounting Policies The Company’s significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2015 Form 10-K. These accounting policies include, but are not limited to, those related to: • revenue recognition • contracts receivable, including retainage • valuation of property and equipment, goodwill and other long-lived assets • income taxes • segment reporting There have been no material changes to significant accounting policies since December 31, 2015.
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of subsidiaries and construction joint ventures in which the Company has a greater than 50% ownership interest or otherwise controls such entities. For investments in subsidiaries and construction joint ventures that are not wholly-owned, but where the Company exercises control, the equity held by the remaining owners and their portions of net income (loss) are reflected in the balance sheet line item “Noncontrolling interests” in “Equity” and the statement of operations line item “Noncontrolling owners’ interests in earnings of subsidiaries and joint ventures,” respectively. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. For all years presented, the Company had no subsidiaries where its ownership interests were less than 50%. Where the Company is a noncontrolling joint venture partner, and otherwise not required to consolidate the joint venture entity, its share of the operations of such construction joint venture is accounted for on a pro rata basis in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and as a single line item (“Receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures”) in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. This method is an acceptable modification of the equity method of accounting which is a common practice in the construction industry. Refer to Note 7 Under GAAP, the Company must determine whether each entity, including joint ventures in which it participates, is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). This determination focuses on identifying which owner or joint venture partner, if any, has the power to direct the activities of the entity and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity disproportionate to its interest in the entity, which could have the effect of requiring the Company to consolidate the entity in which it has a noncontrolling variable interest. Refer to Note 8 for further information regarding the Company’s consolidated VIE.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates The preparation of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Certain of the Company’s accounting policies require higher degrees of judgment than others in their application. These include the recognition of revenue and earnings from construction contracts under the percentage-of-completion method, the valuation of long-term assets (including goodwill) and income taxes. Management continually evaluates all of its estimates and judgments based on available information and experience; however, actual results could differ from these estimates.
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Reclassification Reclassifications have been made to historical financial data on our condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to our current year presentation.
Revenue Recognition, Percentage-of-Completion Method [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition The Company is a general contractor which engages in various types of heavy civil construction projects principally for public (government) owners. Credit risk is minimal with public owners since the Company ascertains that funds have been appropriated by the governmental project owner prior to commencing work on such projects. While most public contracts are subject to termination at the election of the government entity, in the event of termination the Company is entitled to receive the contract price for completed work and reimbursement of termination-related costs. Credit risk with private owners is minimized because of statutory mechanics liens, which give the Company high priority in the event of lien foreclosures following financial difficulties of private owners. Revenues are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the ratio of costs incurred up to a given date to estimated total costs for each contract. This cost to cost measure is used because management considers it to be the best available measure of progress on these contracts. Contract costs include all direct material, labor, subcontract and other costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect salaries and wages, equipment repairs and depreciation, insurance and payroll taxes. Administrative and general expenses are charged to expense as incurred. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability, including those changes arising from contract penalty provisions and final contract settlements may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Changes in estimated revenues and gross margin resulted in a net gain of $0.7 million and a net charge of $0.5 million during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, included in “operating income (loss)” on the condensed consolidated statements of operations . . Claims are included in the calculation of revenue when realization is probable and amounts can be reliably determined to the extent costs are incurred. Revenue in excess of contract costs incurred on claims is recognized when an agreement is reached with customers as to the value of the claims. We have a Texas project where we are in the process of negotiating a claim. If negotiations are not successful, we intend to pursue legal avenues to resolve this claim. The claim is primarily related to a change in project timeline due to customer caused delays. The project began late in 2011 and was substantially completed in 2015. We believe it will be resolved without a material adverse effect on our financial statements. However, claim amounts are subject to negotiations which may cause actual results to differ materially from estimated and recorded amounts. Our contracts generally take 12 to 36 months to complete. The Company generally provides a one to two-year warranty for workmanship under its contracts when completed. Warranty claims historically have been insignificant.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Financial Instruments and Fair Value The fair value of financial instruments is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. The Company’s financial instruments are cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash used as collateral for a letter of credit and restricted cash maintained in an escrow account, short-term contracts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable, a revolving loan (the “Revolving Loan”) with Nations Fund I, LLC and Nations Equipment Finance, LLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the lender (“Nations”) and a term loan (the “Term Loan”) with Nations (combined, the “Equipment-based Facility”). The recorded values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term contracts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values based on their liquidity and/or short-term nature. Refer to Note 11 regarding the fair value of the Revolving Loan and the Term Loan and notes payable. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet financial instruments other than operating leases (refer to Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2015 Form 10-K). In order to assess the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, the Company uses the fair value hierarchy established by GAAP which prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into the following three levels: Level 1 Inputs – Based upon quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 Inputs – Based upon quoted prices (other than Level 1) in active markets for similar assets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities and default rates and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 Inputs – Based on unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset based on the best information available. For each financial instrument, the Company uses the highest priority level input that is available in order to appropriately value that particular instrument. In certain instances, Level 1 inputs are not available and the Company must use Level 2 or Level 3 inputs. In these cases, the Company provides a description of the valuation techniques used and the inputs used in the fair value measurement.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance in Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13 Financial Instruments —Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Among other things, these amendments require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts (forward-looking). Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. This new guidance is effective for public entities for annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim reporting periods therein. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In April and May 2016, the FASB issued additional revenue recognition guidance in ASU No. 2016-12, No. 2016-11 and 2016-10 (Topic 606). All three of these standards provide implementation guidance and clarifications of ASU 2014-09, “Revenue form Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2016-10 provides additional guidance on identifying performance obligations and licensing, ASU 2016-11 rescinds SEC guidance based on the previous revenue recognition standards and ASU 2016-12 relates to narrow-scope improvements and practical expedients. All of these amendments are effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods therein. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued its new stock compensation guidance in ASU No. 2016-09 (Topic 718). First, under the new guidance, companies will be required to recognize the income tax effects of share-based awards in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled (i.e., additional paid-in capital (“APIC”) or APIC pools will be eliminated). In addition, the new guidance allows a withholding amount of awarded shares with a fair value up to the amount of tax owed using the maximum, instead of the minimum, statutory tax rate without triggering liability classification for the award. Lastly, the new guidance allows companies to elect whether to account for forfeitures of share-based payments by (1) recognizing forfeitures of awards as they occur or (2) estimating the number of awards expected to be forfeited and adjusting the estimate when it is likely to change, as is currently required. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has chosen to early adopt this guidance and chosen to account for forfeitures of share-based payments by recognizing forfeitures of awards as they occur. The result of adopting this guidance was immaterial to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued its new lease accounting guidance in ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Note 3 - Property and Equipme20

Note 3 - Property and Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes Tables
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	June 30, December 31, Construction equipment $ 121,735 $ 114,724 Transportation equipment 18,830 18,056 Buildings 12,728 10,860 Office equipment 2,878 2,810 Leasehold improvement 894 894 Construction in progress 225 1,986 Land 3,509 4,257 Water rights 200 200 160,999 153,787 Less accumulated depreciation (88,964 ) (80,312 ) Total property and equipment, net $ 72,035 $ 73,475

Note 6 - Subsidiaries and Joi21

Note 6 - Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures with Noncontrolling Owners' Interests (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Components of Agreement Obligation [Table Text Block]	June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Members’ interest subject to mandatory redemption $ 40,000 $ 40,000 Net accumulated earnings 9,260 10,438 Total liability $ 49,260 $ 50,438
Schedule of Changes in Noncontrolling Interests and Joint Ventures [Table Text Block]	Six Months Ended 2016 2015 Balance, beginning of period $ (91 ) $ 7,462 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest included in equity 512 1,839 Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners - (2,451 ) Balance, end of period $ 421 $ 6,850

Note 7 - Construction Joint V22

Note 7 - Construction Joint Ventures (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes Tables
Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Total combined: Current assets $ 28,816 $ 17,312 Less current liabilities (56,180 ) (49,371 ) Net assets $ (27,364 ) $ (32,059 ) Backlog $ 100,086 $ 35,113 Sterling’s noncontrolling interest in backlog $ 46,407 $ 11,748 Sterling’s receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures $ 7,365 $ 12,930
Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 2016 2015 2016 2015 Total combined: Revenues $ 19,750 $ 27,986 $ 28,554 $ 40,992 Income before tax 1,379 2,664 1,913 5,077 Sterling’s noncontrolling interest: Revenues $ 7,684 $ 11,997 $ 11,464 $ 16,549 Income before tax 593 1,329 851 1,664

Note 8 - Variable Interest En23

Note 8 - Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Myers and Sons Construction [Member]
Notes Tables
Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Revenues $ 43,967 $ 54,323 $ 70,910 $ 90,591 Operating income 1,982 3,088 2,174 3,669 Net income attributable to Sterling common stockholders 989 1,543 1,083 1,833
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]	June 30, December 31, Assets: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,676 $ 3,226 Contracts receivable, including retainage 21,624 19,941 Other current assets 7,809 15,887 Total current assets 38,109 39,054 Property and equipment, net 10,411 10,080 Goodwill 1,501 1,501 Total assets $ 50,021 $ 50,635 Liabilities: Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 21,877 $ 20,596 Other current liabilities 12,418 10,986 Total current liabilities 34,295 31,582 Long-term liabilities: Other long-term liabilities 321 3,370 Total liabilities $ 34,616 $ 34,952
Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 2016 2015 2016 2015 Total combined: Revenues $ 19,750 $ 27,986 $ 28,554 $ 40,992 Income before tax 1,379 2,664 1,913 5,077 Sterling’s noncontrolling interest: Revenues $ 7,684 $ 11,997 $ 11,464 $ 16,549 Income before tax 593 1,329 851 1,664

Note 10 - Net Income (Loss) P24

Note 10 - Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Sterling Common Stockholders (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Six Months 2016 2015 2016 2015 Numerator: Net income (loss) attributable to Sterling common stockholders $ 2,023 $ (2,542 ) $ (5,305 ) $ (19,534 ) Denominator: Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic 22,762 19,270 21,261 19,041 Shares for dilutive unvested stock 197 - - - Weighted average common shares outstanding and incremental shares assumed repurchased— diluted 22,959 19,270 21,261 19,041 Basic and diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Sterling common stockholders $ 0.09 $ (0.13 ) $ (0.25 ) $ (1.03 )

Note 11 - Debt (Tables)

Note 11 - Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Equipment-based Facility $ 15,574 $ 17,957 Less deferred loan costs (979 ) (1,119 ) Equipment-based Facility, net 14,595 16,838 Notes payable for transportation and construction equipment and other 3,303 3,342 17,898 20,180 Current maturities of long-term debt 5,190 5,192 Less current deferred loan costs (336 ) (336 ) Less current maturities of long-term debt, net (4,854 ) (4,856 ) Total long-term debt $ 13,044 $ 15,324
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	June 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Revolving Loan $ - $ - $ - $ - Term Loan 15,574 15,513 17,957 17,957 Total Equipment-based Facility debt $ 15,574 $ 15,513 $ 17,957 $ 17,957

Note 1 - Business Summary and26

Note 1 - Business Summary and Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Minimum [Member]
Ownership Interest in Joint Venture			50.00%
Revenue Recognition Percentage of Completion Range			1 year
Warranty Term			1 year
Maximum [Member]
Revenue Recognition Percentage of Completion Range			3 years
Warranty Term			2 years
Ownership Interest in Joint Venture			50.00%
Estimated Construction Gross (Loss) Profit, Before Tax	$ 0.7	$ 0.9	$ (0.5)	$ (11.2)

Note 2 - Cash and Cash Equiva27

Note 2 - Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)
Majority Owned Joint Ventures [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 14.9
Other Assets [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	3
Other Current Assets [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 2

Note 3 - Property and Equipme28

Note 3 - Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Construction Equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 121,735	$ 114,724
Transportation Equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	18,830	18,056
Building [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	12,728	10,860
Office Equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	2,878	2,810
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	894	894
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	225	1,986
Land [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	3,509	4,257
Water Rights [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	200	200
Property, plant and equipment, gross	160,999	153,787
Less accumulated depreciation	(88,964)	(80,312)
Total property and equipment, net	$ 72,035	$ 73,475

Note 4 - Income Taxes (Details

Note 4 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Income Taxes	$ 0	$ 0

Note 5 - Commitments and Cont30

Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016
Legal Dispute [Member]
Loss Contingency Accrual, Provision	$ 0.2	$ 1
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Costs of Revenue [Member]
Settlement Offer		$ 1

Note 6 - Subsidiaries and Joi31

Note 6 - Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures with Noncontrolling Owners' Interests (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
CEO of RHB [Member] | Upon Death [Member]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	50.00%	50.00%
Myers [Member] | Upon Death [Member]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	50.00%	50.00%
Income (Loss) from Subsidiaries, before Tax	$ 3.9	$ 3.9	$ 0.7

Note 6 - Components of Noncontr

Note 6 - Components of Noncontrolling Interest Subject to Mandatory Redemption (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Members’ interest subject to mandatory redemption	$ 40,000	$ 40,000
Net accumulated earnings	9,260	10,438
Total liability	$ 49,260	$ 50,438

Note 6 - Changes in Noncontroll

Note 6 - Changes in Noncontrolling Owners' Interests in Subsidiaries and Consolidated Joint Ventures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Subsidiaries [Member]
Balance, beginning of period	$ (91)	$ 7,462
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest included in equity	512	1,839
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners		(2,451)
Balance, end of period	421	$ 6,850
Balance, beginning of period	(91)
Balance, end of period	$ 421

Note 7 - Construction Joint V34

Note 7 - Construction Joint Ventures (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)
Granite Construction Corporation [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	49.00%
Construction Backlog Attributable to Project Performed by Joint Ventures	$ 46

Note 7 - Construction Joint V35

Note 7 - Construction Joint Ventures, Partner Share (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Total current assets	$ 28,816	$ 17,312
Less current liabilities	(56,180)	(49,371)
Net assets	(27,364)	(32,059)
Backlog	100,086	35,113
Sterling’s noncontrolling interest in backlog	46,407	11,748
Sterling’s receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures	7,365	12,930
Total current assets	201,139	134,921
Less current liabilities	(157,372)	(104,311)
Sterling’s receivables from and equity in construction joint ventures	$ 7,365	$ 12,930

Note 7 - Construction Joint V36

Note 7 - Construction Joint Ventures, Partner Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Corporate Joint Venture [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Revenues	$ 7,684	$ 11,997	$ 11,464	$ 16,549
Income before tax	593	1,329	851	1,664
Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Revenues	19,750	27,986	28,554	40,992
Income before tax	1,379	2,664	1,913	5,077
Revenues	$ 189,582	$ 177,425	$ 316,149	$ 295,107

Note 8 - Variable Interest En37

Note 8 - Variable Interest Entities (Details Textual)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
Myers [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Qualitative or Quantitative Information, Ownership Percentage	50.00%

Note 8 - Consolidated Balance S

Note 8 - Consolidated Balance Sheet - Myers (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 8,676	$ 3,226
Contracts receivable, including retainage	21,624	19,941
Other current assets	7,809	15,887
Total current assets	38,109	39,054
Property and equipment, net	10,411	10,080
Goodwill	1,501	1,501
Total assets	50,021	50,635
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	21,877	20,596
Other current liabilities	12,418	10,986
Total current liabilities	34,295	31,582
Long-term liabilities:
Other long-term liabilities	321	3,370
Total liabilities	34,616	34,952
Cash and cash equivalents	42,635	4,426	$ 14,336	$ 22,843
Contracts receivable, including retainage	106,595	82,112
Other current assets	5,428	6,013
Total current assets	201,139	134,921
Property and equipment, net	72,035	73,475
Goodwill	54,820	54,820
Total assets	330,962	266,165
Accounts payable	79,853	58,959
Total current liabilities	$ 157,372	$ 104,311

Note 8 - Consolidated Statement

Note 8 - Consolidated Statements of Operations - Myers (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Revenues	$ 43,967	$ 54,323	$ 70,910	$ 90,591
Operating income	1,982	3,088	2,174	3,669
Net income attributable to Sterling common stockholders	989	1,543	1,083	1,833
Revenues	189,582	177,425	316,149	295,107
Operating income	$ 3,381	$ (162)	$ (3,085)	$ (16,840)

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity (

Note 9 - Stockholders' Equity (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	May 09, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
D.A. Davidson and Co. [Member]
Share Price	$ 4
Share Price, Net	$ 3.77
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	$ 19,100
Over-Allotment Option, Period of Option	30 days
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		20,000		79,240
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value				$ 4.36
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock				$ 19,144
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense		$ 400	$ 300	800	$ 500
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized		$ 2,700		$ 2,700
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition				1 year 255 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number		800,000		800,000

Note 10 - Net Income (Loss) P41

Note 10 - Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Sterling Common Stockholders (Details Textual) - shares	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	200,000	100,000

Note 10 - Basic Net Income (Los

Note 10 - Basic Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Sterling Common Stockholders (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Net loss attributable to Sterling common stockholders	$ 2,023	$ (2,542)	$ (5,305)	$ (19,534)
Basic (in shares)	22,761,671	19,269,977	21,260,946	19,040,870
Diluted (in shares)	22,958,551	19,269,977	21,260,946	19,040,870
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Sterling common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ (0.13)	$ (0.25)	$ (1.03)

Note 11 - Debt (Details Textual

Note 11 - Debt (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Equipment-based Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 27,000		$ 27,000
Debt Instrument, Percentage of Appraised Value of Collateral	65.00%		65.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	12.00%		12.00%
Notes Payable for Transportation and Construction Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.12%		3.12%
Debt Instrument, Term			3 years
Notes Payable for Transportation and Construction Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.13%		7.13%
Debt Instrument, Term			5 years
Notes Payable for Transportation and Construction Equipment [Member]
Notes Payable					$ 3,300
Notes Payable	$ 3,303		$ 3,303		$ 3,342
Interest Expense, Debt	$ 800	$ 600	$ 1,700	$ 1,000

Note 11 - Long-term Debt (Detai

Note 11 - Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Equipment-based Facility [Member]
Equipment-based Facility	$ 15,574	$ 17,957
Less deferred loan costs	(979)	(1,119)
Equipment-based Facility, net	14,595	16,838
Notes Payable	3,303	3,342
	17,898	20,180
Current maturities of long-term debt	5,190	5,192
Less current deferred loan costs	(336)	(336)
Less current maturities of long-term debt, net	(4,854)	(4,856)
Total long-term debt	$ 13,044	$ 15,324

Note 11 - Carrying and Fair Val

Note 11 - Carrying and Fair Values of Debt (Details) - Equipment-based Facility [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Revolving Loan
Term Loan [Member]
Equipment-based Facility	15,574	17,957
Term Loan	15,513	17,957
Revolving Loan	14,595	16,838
Equipment-based Facility	15,574	17,957
Total Equipment-based Facility debt	$ 15,513	$ 17,957