Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Quarterly Operating Results) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenue	$ 774,230	$ 865,313	$ 750,942	$ 618,492	$ 730,740	$ 631,947	$ 495,113	$ 450,231	$ 3,008,977	$ 2,308,031	$ 1,623,502
Net income attributable to MasTec	8,559	31,842	44,494	21,106	38,510	30,006	14,601	7,411	106,001	90,528	70,748
Basic net income per share attributable to MasTec	$ 0.10	$ 0.38	$ 0.54	$ 0.27	$ 0.50	$ 0.39	$ 0.19	$ 0.10	$ 1.29	$ 1.19	$ 0.93
Diluted net income per share attributable to MasTec	$ 0.10	$ 0.36	$ 0.51	$ 0.26	$ 0.44	$ 0.35	$ 0.18	$ 0.10	$ 1.23	$ 1.05	$ 0.90
Gain on remeasurement of equity interest in acquiree									29,041
MasTec, Inc [Member]
Net income attributable to MasTec									105,972
EC Source [Member]
Gain on remeasurement of equity interest in acquiree			$ 29,000