Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 08, 2016
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	Dec. 31, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		21,462,314
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
TradingSymbol	IESC