Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 62,486	$ 182	$ (2,332)	$ 174,514	$ 17	$ (109,895)
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2013		18,203,379	(259,057)
Restricted stock grant			$ 117	(117)
Restricted stock grant, shares			13,500
Forfeiture of restricted stock			$ (179)
Forfeiture of restricted stock, shares			36,272
Acquisition of treasury stock	(179)
Non-cash compensation	711			711
Interest Rate Swap	19				(19)
Stock issued in rights offering	19,649	$ 38		19,611
Stock issued in rights offering, shares		3,846,150
Net Income Attributable to IES Holdings	5,324					5,324
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	87,972	$ 220	$ (2,394)	194,719	(2)	(104,571)
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2014		22,049,529	(281,829)
Restricted stock grant			$ 1,615	(1,615)
Restricted stock grant, shares			207,874
Acquisition of treasury stock	(3,622)		$ (3,622)
Acquisition of treasury stock, shares			(499,833)
Non-cash compensation	524			524
Interest Rate Swap	(2)				2
Net Income Attributable to IES Holdings	16,538					16,538
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	101,414	$ 220	$ (4,401)	193,628	0	(88,033)
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2015		22,049,529	(573,788)
Restricted stock grant			$ 44	(44)
Restricted stock grant, shares			5,670
Forfeiture of restricted stock			$ (72)	72
Forfeiture of restricted stock, shares			(7,500)
Acquisition of treasury stock	(590)		$ (685)	95
Acquisition of treasury stock, shares			(59,872)
Non-cash compensation	1,583			1,583
Interest Rate Swap	0
Options Exercised	$ 220		$ 333	(113)
Options Exercised, shares	42,500		42,500
Net Income Attributable to IES Holdings	$ 120,778
Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 223,405	$ 220	$ (4,781)	$ 195,221	$ 0	$ 32,745
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2016		22,049,529	(592,990)