Note 12 - Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Sterling Common Stockholders (Details) - Basic Net Income (Loss) per Share Attributable to Sterling Common Stockholders (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to Sterling common stockholders	$ (3,935)	$ (189)	$ (2,529)	$ (21,792)
Revaluation of the noncontrolling interest obligations reflected in retained earnings, net of tax		(766)		(1,100)
	$ (3,935)	$ (955)	$ (2,529)	$ (22,892)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic (in Shares)	18,809,401	16,652,074	17,814,332	16,626,118
Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions — diluted (in Shares)	18,809,401	16,652,074	17,814,332	16,626,118
Basic loss per share attributable to Sterling common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.14)	$ (1.38)
Diluted loss per share attributable to Sterling common stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.14)	$ (1.38)

Note 12 - Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Sterling Common Stockholders (Details) - Basic Net Income (Loss) per Share Attributable to Sterling Common Stockholders (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Numerator:

Net loss attributable to Sterling common stockholders

$ (3,935)

$ (189)

$ (2,529)

$ (21,792)

Revaluation of the noncontrolling interest obligations reflected in retained earnings, net of tax

(766)

(1,100)

$ (3,935)

$ (955)

$ (2,529)

$ (22,892)

Denominator:

Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic (in Shares)

18,809,401

16,652,074

17,814,332

16,626,118

Weighted average common shares outstanding and assumed conversions — diluted (in Shares)

18,809,401

16,652,074

17,814,332

16,626,118

Basic loss per share attributable to Sterling common stockholders (in Dollars per share)

$ (0.21)

$ (0.06)

$ (0.14)

$ (1.38)

Diluted loss per share attributable to Sterling common stockholders (in Dollars per share)

$ (0.21)

$ (0.06)

$ (0.14)

$ (1.38)

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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- Definition

Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the parent. Also defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests.

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- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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