Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	INTEGRATED ELECTRICAL SERVICES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001048268
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2013
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus		2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date		--09-30
Entity Filer Category		Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	15,105,846
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No