Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IES and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal recurring nature.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Impairment [Policy Text Block]

Asset Impairment

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded a pretax non-cash asset impairment charge of $688 related to real estate held by our Commercial & Industrial segment. The real estate is held within a location selected for closure during 2011. This impairment is to adjust the carrying value of real estate held for sale to the estimated current market value less expected selling expenses, a value at which we expect to sell this real estate within one year. The real estate is classified as assets held for sale within our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The impairment charge is included in our net loss from discontinued operations within our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

During the fiscal year endedSeptember 30, 2011, the Company recorded a pretax non-cash asset impairment charge of $3,551related to certain internally-developed capitalized software, $968 for our investmentin EnerTechCapital Partners II L.P. (“EnerTech”), $142 for goodwill and $143 related to real estate held by the Company which was impaired further in 2012, as noted above. The Company ceased use of the internally-developed software in 2011. As a result, the software has a fair value of zero. The non-cash impairmentsrelated to the investment in EnerTech and the real estate are to adjust the carrying value to theirestimated current market values.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America(“GAAP”) requires the use of estimates and assumptions by management in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are primarily used in our revenue recognition of construction in progress, fair value assumptions in analyzing goodwill, investments, intangible assets and long-lived asset impairments and adjustments, allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, stock-based compensation, reserves for legal matters, assumptions regarding estimated costs to exit certain divisions, realizability of deferred tax assets, unrecognized tax benefits and self-insured claims liabilities and related reserves.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Inventories generally consist of parts and supplies held for use in the ordinary course of business and are valued at the lower of cost or market generally using the historical average cost or first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Where shipping and handling costs are borne by us, these charges are included in inventory and charged to cost of services upon use in our projects or the providing of services.

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Securities and Equity Investments

Our investments are accounted for using either the cost or equity method of accounting, as appropriate. Each period, we evaluate whether an event or change in circumstances has occurred that may indicate an investment has been impaired. If, upon further investigation of such events, we determine the investment has suffered a decline in value that is other than temporary, we write down the investment to its estimated fair value.

Certain securities are classified as available-for-sale. These investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as other non-current assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012. The changes in fair values, net of applicable taxes, are recorded as unrealized gains (losses) as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity.

Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Long-Term Receivables

From time to time, we enter into payment plans with certain customers over periods in excess of one year. We classify these receivables as long-term receivables. Additionally, we provide an allowance for doubtful accounts for specific long-term receivables where collection is considered doubtful.

In March 2009, in connection with a construction project entering bankruptcy, we transferred $3,992 of trade accounts receivable to long-term receivable and initiated breach of contract and mechanics' lien foreclosure actions against the project's general contractor and owner, respectively. At the same time, we reserved the costs in excess of billings of $278 associated with this receivable.In March 2010, given the significant uncertainty associated with its ultimate collectability we reserved the remaining balance of $3,714, but continued to pursue collection through the bankruptcy court proceeding. In February 2011, we entered into a $2,850 settlement in connection with the breach of contract and mechanics' lien foreclosure actions related to the receivable.  The $2,850 recovery was recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment

Additions of property and equipment are recorded at cost, and depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and depreciated over the lesser of the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset.

Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments, which extend the useful lives of existing property and equipment, are capitalized and depreciated. Upon retirement or disposition of property and equipment, the capitalized cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in the statement of operations in the caption (gain) loss on sale of assets.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill

Goodwill attributable to each reporting unit is tested for impairment by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value. Fair value is determined using discounted cash flows. These impairment tests are required to be performed at least annually. Significant estimates used in the methodologies include estimates of future cash flows, future short-term and long-term growth rates, and weighted average cost of capital for each of the reportable units. On an ongoing basis (absent any impairment indicators), we perform an impairment test annually using a measurement date of September 30.

As of September 30, 2012, the entire goodwill balance of $4,446 can be attributed to our Residential segment. Based upon the results of our annual impairment analysis, the fair value of our Residential segment significantly exceeded the book value, and warrants no impairment.We recorded goodwill impairment of $142 during the year ended September 30, 2011, bringing the goodwill balance attributable to our Commercial & Industrial segment to zero. There is no goodwill associated with our Communications segment.

Debt, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs are included in other noncurrent assets and are amortized to interest expense over the scheduled maturity of the debt. Amortization expense of debt issuance costs was $568, $338 and$315, respectively, for the years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010. At September 30, 2012, remaining unamortized capitalized debt issuance costs were $1,139.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue on project contracts using the percentage of completion method. Project contracts generally provide that customers accept completion of progress to date and compensate us for services rendered measured in terms of units installed, hours expended or some other measure of progress. We recognize revenue on both signed contracts and change orders. A discussion of our treatment of claims and unapproved change orders is described later in this section. Percentage of completion for construction contracts is measured principally by the percentage of costs incurred and accrued to date for each contract to the estimated total cost for each contract at completion. We generally consider contracts to be substantially complete upon departure from the work site and acceptance by the customer. Contract costs include all direct material, labor and insurance costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools, repairs and depreciation costs. Changes in job performance, job conditions, estimated contract costs and profitability and final contract settlements may result in revisions to costs and income and the effects of these revisions are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Provisions for total estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. The balances billed but not paid by customers pursuant to retainage provisions in project contracts will be due upon completion of the contracts and acceptance by the customer. Based on our experience with similar contracts in recent years, the retention balance at each balance sheet date will be collected within the subsequent fiscal year.

Certain divisions in the Residential segment use the completed contract method of accounting because the duration of their contracts is short in nature. We recognize revenue on completed contracts when the project is complete and billable to the customer. Provisions for estimated losses on these contracts are recorded in the period such losses are determined.

Service work consists of time and materials projects that are billed at either contractual or current standard rates. Revenues from service work are recognized when services are performed.

The current asset “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts” represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed which management believes will be billed and collected within the next twelve months. The current liability “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts” represents billings in excess of revenues recognized. Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts are amounts considered recoverable from customers based on different measures of performance, including achievement of specific milestones, completion of specified units or at the completion of the contract. Also included in this asset, from time to time, are claims and unapproved change orders which are amounts we are in the process of collecting from our customers or agencies for changes in contract specifications or design, contract change orders in dispute or unapproved as to scope and price, or other related causes of unanticipated additional contract costs. Claims are limited to costs incurred and are recorded at estimated realizable value when collection is probable and can be reasonably estimated. We do not recognize profits on project costs incurred in connection with claims. Claims made by us involve negotiation and, in certain cases, litigation. Such litigation costs are expensed as incurred. As of September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, there were no material revenues recorded associated with any claims.

Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We record accounts receivable for all amounts billed and not collected. Generally, we do not charge interest on outstanding accounts receivable; however, from time to time we may believe it necessary to charge interest on a case by case basis. Additionally, we provide an allowance for doubtful accounts for specific accounts receivable where collection is considered doubtful as well as for general unknown collection issues based on historical trends. Accounts receivable not determined to be collectible are written off as deemed necessary in the period such determination is made. As is common in our respective industries, some of these receivables are in litigation or require us to exercise our contractual lien rights in order to collect. These receivables are primarily associated with a few divisions within our Commercial & Industrial segment. Certain other receivables are slow-pay in nature and require us to exercise our contractual or lien rights. We believe that our allowance for doubtful accounts is sufficient to cover uncollectible receivables as of September 30, 2012.

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by and distributions to stockholders.

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Advertising

Advertising and marketing expense for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $420, $512, and $1,547, respectively. Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred and are included in the “Selling, general and administrative expenses” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

We follow the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future income tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws.

We regularly evaluate valuation allowances established for deferred tax assets for which future realization is uncertain. We perform this evaluation at least annually at the end of each fiscal year. The estimation of required valuation allowances includes estimates of future taxable income. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets at September 30, 2012, we considered whether it was more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets would not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. If actual future taxable income is different from the estimates, our results could be affected. We have determined to fully reserve against such an occurrence.

On May 12, 2006, we had a change in ownership as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 382. Internal Revenue Code Section 382 limits the utilization of net operating losses that existed as of the change in ownership in tax periods subsequent to the change in ownership. As such, our utilization after the change date of net operating losses in existence as of the change in ownership is subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 382 limitations for federal income taxes and some state income taxes. We have provided valuation allowances on all net operating losses where it is determined it is more likely than not that they will expire without being utilized.

Liability Reserve Estimate, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Risk-Management

We retain the risk for workers' compensation, employer's liability, automobile liability, general liability and employee group health claims, resulting from uninsured deductibles per accident or occurrence which are subject to annual aggregate limits. Our general liability program provides coverage for bodily injury and property damage. Losses up to the deductible amounts are accrued based upon our known claims incurred and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported. For the year ended September 30, 2012, we compiled our historical data pertaining to the insurance experiences and actuarially developed the ultimate loss associated with our insurance programs. We believe that the actuarial valuation provides the best estimate of the ultimate losses to be expected under these programs.

The undiscounted ultimate losses of all insurance reserves at September 30, 2012 and 2011, was $6,864and $8,353, respectively. Based on historical payment patterns, we expect payments of undiscounted ultimate losses to be made as follows:

Year Ended September 30:
	2013	$	2,948
	2014		1,328
	2015		821
	2016		494
	2017		305
	Thereafter		968
Total		$	6,864

We elect to discount the ultimate losses above to present value using an approximate risk-free rate over the average life of our insurance claims. For the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the discount rate used was0.6 percent and 1 percent, respectively. The decrease in discount rate is driven by the prolonged decline in interest rates and a decrease in the average life of our associated claims. The present value of all insurance reserves for the employee group health claims, workers' compensation, auto and general liability recorded at September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $5,228and $7,040, respectively. Our employee group health claims are anticipated to be resolved within the year ended September 30, 2013.

We had letters of credit of $6,218 outstanding at September 30, 2012 to collateralize our high deductible insurance obligations.

Impairment Or Disposal Of Long Lived Assets Including Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Realization of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate the recoverability of property and equipment and other long-lived assets as facts and circumstances indicate that any of those assets might be impaired. If an evaluation is required for our assets we plan to hold and use, the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset are compared to the asset's carrying amount to determine if an impairment of such property has occurred. The effect of any impairment would be to expense the difference between the fair value of such property and its carrying value. Estimated fair values are determined based on expected future cash flows discounted at a rate we believe incorporates the time value of money, the expectations about future cash flows and an appropriate risk premium.

At September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, we performed evaluations of our long-lived assets. These evaluations resulted in impairment charges as described above under “Asset Impairment”

Concentration Risk, Credit Risk

Risk Concentration Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits and accounts receivable. We grant credit, usually without collateral, to our customers, who are generally large public companies, contractors and homebuilders throughout the United States. Consequently, we are subject to potential credit risk related to changes in business and economic factors throughout the United States, specifically, within the construction, homebuilding and mission critical facility markets. However, we are entitled to payment for work performed and have certain lien rights in that work. Further, management believes that its contract acceptance, billing and collection policies are adequate to manage potential credit risk. We routinely maintain cash balances in financial institutions in excess of federally insured limits. We periodically assess the financial condition of these institutions where these funds are held and believe the credit risk is minimal. As a result of recent credit market turmoil we maintain the majority of our cash and cash equivalents in money market mutual funds.   No single customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenues for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes receivable, investments, accounts payable, a note payable issued to finance insurance policies, and a $10,000 senior subordinated loan agreement(the “Tontine Term Loan”). We believe that the carrying value of financial instruments, with the exception of the Tontine Term Loan and our cost method investment in EnerTech, in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, approximates their fair value due to their short-term nature. We estimate that the fair value of the Tontine Term Loan (Level 3) is $10,259calculated using a market approach based upon Level 3 inputs, including an estimated interest rate reflecting current market conditions at September 30, 2012. For additional information, please refer to Note 8, “Debt – The Tontine Term Loan” of this report.

We estimate that the fair value of our investment in EnerTech (Level 3) is $988 at September 30, 2012 calculated using quoted market prices for underlying publicly traded securities, and estimated enterprise values determined using cash flow projections and market multiples of the underlying non-public companies. For additional information, please refer to Note 7, “Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts – Securities and Equity Investments – Investment in EnerTech.”

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

We measure and record compensation expense for all share-based payment awards based on the fair value of the awards granted, net of estimated forfeitures, at the date of grant. We calculate the fair value of stock options using a binomial option pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the number of shares granted and the closing price of IES's common stock on the date of grant. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised as deemed necessary. The resulting compensation expense from discretionary awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period, while compensation expense from performance based awards is recognized using the graded vesting method over the requisite service period. The cash flows resulting from the tax deductions in excess of the compensation expense recognized for options and restricted stock (excess tax benefit) are classified as financing cash flows.

Compensation Related Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Deferred Compensation Plans

The Company maintains a rabbi trust to fund certain deferred compensation plans. The securities held by the trust are classified as trading securities. The investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as other non-current assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 and 2011. The changes in fair values are recorded as unrealized gains (losses) as a component of other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The corresponding deferred compensation liability is included in other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and changes in this obligation are recognized as adjustments to compensation expense in the period in which they are determined.