SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS POLICIES (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended																					12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2015	[1]	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	[1]	Jun. 30, 2014	[1]	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	[1]	Jun. 30, 2013	[1]	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Ownership percentage in VIE																							47.50%
Assets of VIE		$ 4,000,000																					$ 4,000,000
Increase cost of sales from consolidation of the VIE																							1,400,000
Income tax benefit of VIE																							300,000
Out-of-Period Items [Abstract]
Selling, general and administrative expense																							303,819,000	$ 327,899,000	$ 271,421,000
Provision for income taxes																							150,000	19,682,000	34,480,000
Net income (loss)		$ (3,200,000)	$ (52,700,000)	[1]	$ 7,200,000		$ 9,700,000	[1]	$ (88,100,000)	$ 17,000,000		$ 14,900,000		$ 10,900,000	[1]	$ 16,900,000	$ 16,400,000		$ 13,700,000		$ 13,200,000	[1]	$ (39,070,000)	$ (45,238,000)	$ 60,237,000
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)		$ (0.20)	$ (3.64)	[1]	$ 0.50		$ 0.67	[1]	$ (6.09)	$ 1.16		$ 1.01		$ 0.74	[1]	$ 1.17	$ 1.13		$ 0.95		$ 0.92	[1]	$ (2.68)	$ (3.10)	$ 4.17
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)		$ (0.20)	$ (3.64)	[1]	$ 0.47		$ 0.63	[1]	$ (6.09)	$ 1.10		$ 0.96		$ 0.70	[1]	$ 1.10	$ 1.07		$ 0.90		$ 0.87	[1]	$ (2.68)	$ (3.10)	$ 3.94
Changes in allowance [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year							$ 8,713,000							$ 8,798,000							$ 7,204,000		$ 8,713,000	$ 8,798,000	$ 7,204,000
Charged to cost and expenses																							2,014,000	2,365,000	2,018,000
Charged to other accounts	[2]																						1,255,000	1,140,000	560,000
Deductions	[3]																						(2,618,000)	(3,590,000)	(984,000)
Balance at end of year		$ 9,364,000							$ 8,713,000							$ 8,798,000							9,364,000	8,713,000	8,798,000
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of goodwill		9,800,000	$ 58,900,000	[1]	$ 0		0	[1]	117,600,000	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0	[1]								67,663,000	117,569,000
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Revenues recognized on contracts in process																							$ 47,500,000	65,900,000	12,700,000
Minimum contract period																							1 year
Maximum contract period																							2 years
Self-insured Insurance and Medical Claims [Abstract]
Workers compensation insurance reserves, per claim		100,000																					$ 100,000
Medical insurance reserves, per claim		250,000																					250,000
Accrual for claims		3,400,000							2,900,000														3,400,000	2,900,000
Debt Issuance Cost Amortization [Abstract]
Total unamortized debt issuance costs		2,046,000							2,714,000														$ 2,046,000	$ 2,714,000
Executive Officers and Other Employees of DXP [Member]
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Ownership percentage in VIE																							52.50%
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life																							20 years
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life																							39 years
Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life																							10 years
Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life																							20 years
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life																							3 years
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life																							20 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life																							Shorter of estimated useful life or related lease term
Overstatement of Accrual at December 31, 2014 [Member]
Out-of-Period Items [Abstract]
Selling, general and administrative expense							2,500,000
Out-of-period adjustment, net of tax							$ 1,600,000
Provision for income taxes		1,500,000
Net income (loss)																							$ 3,100,000
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)																							$ (0.21)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)																							$ (0.21)
Cash [Member]
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Assets of VIE		300,000																					$ 300,000
Fixed Assets [Member]
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Assets of VIE		3,600,000																					$ 3,600,000
Goodwill [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of goodwill		$ 9,800,000	$ 57,800,000						$ 117,600,000																$ 0

[1] During the fourth quarter of 2014, DXP finalized its purchase accounting for customer relationships for the acquisition of B27 and amortized the customer relationships on an accelerated basis. The revision increased amortization expense by $1.0 million per quarter.

[2] Includes allowance for doubtful accounts from acquisitions

[3] Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries