What Sarah Constructions does

Sarah Constructions Pty Ltd is a third-generation, family-owned commercial construction company headquartered in Eastwood, Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1961 by Henry Frederick 'Harry' Sarah as H.F. Sarah & Sons and now part of Sarah Group, the company delivers commercial construction projects across education, health, aged care, defence, hospitality, retail, recreation, industrial and office/commercial sectors, with landmark projects valued at over $100 million (including the $135 million Adelaide Aquatic Centre and the SA Schools PPP). It operates a dedicated in-house Digital Engineering team aligned to AS ISO 19650, deploying Building Information Modelling (BIM), drone-based reality capture, LiDAR/point cloud scanning, 4D/5D coordination, clash detection, and VR/AR stakeholder engagement across project delivery. The Sarah Build sub-brand, launched as a creative construction solutions division, extends the portfolio into modular construction (volumetric, nodal and panelised) through the Sarah Solutions Centre, as well as residential and commercial fitout work.

The company's revenue model is anchored in fixed-price, cost-plus and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) construction contracts, supplemented by bundled pre-construction, feasibility and design-management services. Projects are secured through direct tender submissions, government prequalification, and long-cycle repeat institutional relationships, with go-to-market focused on early client engagement rather than transactional bidding. Customer concentration is moderate: diversified by sector but skewed toward South Australian government departments, universities, aged-care providers (ECH, ACH Group), and retail operators (Vicinity Centres). Operational maturity is evidenced by ISO 9001/14001/45001 certifications, Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner accreditation, and a Reconciliation Action Plan (Innovate II) endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. Leadership is headed by CEO Adrian Esplin, with a broader executive team including dedicated General Managers for Operations, Construction, New Business, and a Head of Commercial who is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The firm is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors.

Name

Sarah Constructions

Legal name

Sarah Constructions Pty Ltd

Website

https://sarah.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Sarah Constructions is a third-generation, family-owned South Australian commercial builder delivering education, health, aged care, defence, hospitality and industrial projects, plus modular and fitout work via its Sarah Build sub-brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Construction Services

NAICS

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (236220), Nonresidential Building Construction (2362)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540), Operative Builders (1531)

akta.pro primary industry

Office & Corporate Building Construction (IMAFACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Modular & Prefabricated Home Construction (IMAFABAF), Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)

Keywords

• Commercial construction services
• Modular building solutions
• Pre-construction consulting
• Construction project delivery
• Aged care construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Eastwood

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Commercial Construction Projects: Primary revenue stream from delivering commercial construction projects across multiple sectors including education, health, aged care, defence, hospitality, retail, recreation, industrial, and office/commercial. Revenue is generated through fixed-price contracts, cost-plus arrangements, and PPP (Public-Private Partnership) delivery models. Projects range from minor refurbishments to major landmark developments valued in excess of $100 million.
2. Sarah Build Modular and Fitout Solutions: Secondary revenue stream from Sarah Build division delivering modular construction, residential projects, and commercial fitout solutions. Provides creative construction solutions with focus on flexibility, sustainability and mixed construction methodologies including modular approaches for customers with unique project constraints.
3. Design and Pre-construction Services: Revenue generated through early engagement in design development, feasibility analysis, value management, and pre-construction consulting services. These services are typically bundled with main construction contracts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sarah Constructions is a South Australian commercial construction company delivering full-service project delivery across education, health, aged care, defence, hospitality, retail, recreation, industrial, and office sectors. Through its Sarah Build sub-brand, it also offers modular construction, residential projects, and commercial fitout solutions. The company combines traditional construction delivery with in-house digital engineering (BIM, drones, reality capture) and operates a dedicated Sarah Solutions Centre for volumetric, nodal, and panelised prefabrication.

Product overview

Sarah Constructions is a South Australian commercial construction company offering traditional construction services alongside its Sarah Build sub-brand. The core offering spans commercial construction across education, health, aged care, defence, hospitality, retail, industrial, and recreation sectors. Sarah Build extends the portfolio with modular construction (volumetric, nodal, panelised), residential construction, and fitout services. Technology-enabled delivery through in-house digital engineering and BIM capabilities supports project coordination. The company operates from a traditional construction model supplemented by the dedicated Sarah Solutions Centre for modular prefabrication.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sarah Build: Creative construction solutions division delivering modular, residential and fitout solutions backed by 60+ years of experience. Provides mixed construction methodologies including modular, programs of small unique builds and fitouts, with renewed focus on residential sector flexibility.

Products and services

• Traditional Commercial Construction Full-service commercial construction delivery across education, health, aged care, defence, hospitality, industrial, retail, recreation, and office/commercial sectors. Services encompass pre-construction planning, project delivery, and post-construction handover, secured through tenders and direct engagement.
• Sarah Build Creative construction solutions sub-brand delivering modular, residential, and commercial fitout solutions for customers with unique project constraints. Provides mixed construction methodologies including modular approaches, programs of small unique builds, and fitouts with renewed focus on residential sector flexibility.
• Modular Construction Volumetric, nodal, and panelised modular building solutions delivered through the Sarah Solutions Centre, including hybrid combinations with traditional construction. Offers reduced site time, greater program control, improved safety, and consistent quality outcomes for projects with tight timeframes or remote site requirements.
• Residential Construction Medium density residential construction providing tailored quality results, design flexibility, and delivery certainty. Serves affordable community and social housing through to high-end residential projects including retirement living and vertical retirement villages.
• Fitout Services Innovative fitout solutions for commercial spaces, office environments, and specialised facilities. Includes cost-saving alternatives, programming expertise, and experience delivering projects within live operational environments such as airports, retail centres, and corporate offices.
• Digital Engineering & BIM Services In-house digital team integrating Building Information Modelling (BIM) and advanced digital technologies across project delivery from tender through handover. Includes federated model coordination, 4D/5D integration, clash detection, reality capture, point cloud processing, virtual/augmented reality, and asset information modelling aligned with AS ISO 19650.
• Defence Construction Specialised construction services for defence sector projects, managed by dedicated defence portfolio leadership with oversight of project delivery, business development, and stakeholder relationships. Delivered with accountability and deep sector understanding.

Quantifiable outcome

• Doubling in size and delivering more than three times annual work revenue over 3 years (2014-2017)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Reconciliation AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSarah Constructions has their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Innovate II formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. This partnership formalises the company's commitment to meaningful reconciliation action, strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and creating pathways for opportunity through employment, training, and supplier diversity initiatives.
• Das StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSarah Constructions partnered with Das Studio (a leading South Australian architect) as the design architect for the Tonsley Technical College and Factory of the Future project. This collaboration delivers innovative sustainable design incorporating Cross Laminated Timber construction.
• NeXTimbercoreTechnology or IntegrationNeXTimber is the South Australian manufacturer supplying Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) for the Tonsley Technical College project - the first mass CLT project in South Australia. Sarah partnered with NeXTimber to deliver sustainable construction outcomes.
• Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH)coreTechnology or IntegrationAustralian Sustainable Hardwoods supplies Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) beams and columns for the Tonsley Technical College project. Partnership enables innovative timber construction methodology.
• Flinders UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSarah Constructions partnered with Flinders University for the Factory of the Future and Tonsley Technical College project. The company serves as construction partner for this world-class advanced manufacturing facility designed to bring together industry, education and researchers.
• Habitat for HumanityminorOthersSupported through Sarah's Birthday donation program where staff nominate to support a charity in the month of their birthday. Charitable partnership focused on community support.
• Hutt St CentreminorOthersSupported through Christmas Appeal donation along with 150 Hampers through Foodbank, and Soup Kitchen fundraiser with Eastend Cellars.
• FoodbankminorOthersSupported through Birthday donation program and Christmas Food Hamper Program. Active charitable partnership providing food support.
• MATES in ConstructioncoreOthersSarah supports MATES in Construction through their Birthday donation program and employees receive MATES in Construction training. This partnership addresses mental health challenges in the construction industry.
• University of AdelaidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership includes Ingkarni Wardli Program 2022 - a weeklong camp inviting SA based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to learn about STEM career pathways. CEO Adrian Esplin serves as Adjunct Lecturer at University's School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
• Youth IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Adrian Esplin serves as Director of Youth Inc, supporting youth development initiatives in South Australia.
• Property Council of AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Adrian Esplin serves as Immediate Past SA Division President and National Board Director, contributing to industry leadership and policy development.
• Cancer Council SAminorOthersSupported through Birthday donation program. Also participated in Hi-Viz and Hardhats Mystery Box Car Rally raising over $10,000 for Cancer Council.
• Beyond BlueminorOthersMental health support partner through employee wellbeing program offering resources and support for employee mental health.
• Breakthrough Mental HealthminorOthersMental health support partner through employee wellbeing program providing mental health resources and support services.
• South Australian Construction Safety Alliance (SACSA)minorOthersDena English serves as Deputy Chairperson of SACSA, contributing to construction safety standards and best practices development in South Australia.
• NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction)minorOthersSarah team members including Bel Green contribute to NAWIC Major Events Committee. Active support for programs promoting and celebrating women in construction.
• Reconciliation South AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSarah sponsors the Apology Breakfast, National Reconciliation Week Breakfast and contributes to community sponsorship supporting reconciliation initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Built Group: Australian commercial construction company focused on large-scale commercial, education, health, and residential developments. Comparable in sector exposure and PPP project delivery experience, with national footprint and similar landmark project scale.
• FDC Construction: Australian commercial construction company delivering projects across commercial, education, hospitality, retail, and aged care sectors. Closely comparable in size, sector mix, and family/private ownership structure with similar tier of bids.
• Watpac: Australian commercial construction company (BESIX Watpac) operating across commercial, education, health, defence, and civil infrastructure. Similar tier of commercial builder with comparable revenue scale and major project portfolio, including PPP delivery experience.
• Hansen Yuncken: One of Australia's largest private commercial construction firms with multi-sector portfolio including education, health, defence, and government. Founded 1918, similarly family-influenced heritage and competes for many of the same major institutional and government projects as Sarah.
• ADCO Constructions: Australian commercial construction company delivering projects across education, health, defence, retail, and aged care sectors. Directly comparable in size, sector mix, and delivery model to Sarah Constructions, with similar mid-market positioning and national reach.
• Roberts Pizzarotti: Australian commercial construction firm delivering projects across commercial, education, residential, and aged care sectors. Comparable mid-sized commercial builder with project delivery models overlapping with Sarah's traditional construction and modular capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Multiplex (Brookfield Multiplex): Global commercial construction company headquartered in Australia. Directly competes for major commercial, education, and PPP projects at the upper end of the project value scale where Sarah Constructions also bids, but with materially larger capacity.
• Lendlease: Largest Australian-headquartered construction and property group with global operations. Competitively overlaps with Sarah on commercial construction, PPP, and defence projects but operates at materially larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• CPB Contractors: Major Australian construction company (CIMIC Group) with large infrastructure and non-residential building portfolio. Competes for major PPP and government building projects in Australia at a significantly larger scale than Sarah.
• John Holland: Major Australian infrastructure and commercial construction company with significant PPP, rail, and building portfolio. Overlaps with Sarah on government/PPP project delivery and competes for similar education and health infrastructure tenders at scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sarah Constructions