Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 16, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL SERVICES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001048268
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,938,071
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float			$ 20,600,000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No