Note 16 - Warranty Costs (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017
Cash Received from Subcontractors for Owner Controlled Insurance Program			$ 4,600	$ 4,100
General Liability Insurance Deductible	$ 20,000	$ 20,000	20,000	20,000
Bodily Injury Insurance Deductible	250	250	250	250
Bodily Injury Insurance Limit	5,000	5,000	5,000	5,000
Aggregate Retention for Construction Defects Warranty and Bodily Injury Claims	20,000	21,000	20,000	21,000
Increase (Decrease) In Construction Defect Reserves	$ (10,200)	12,500
Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Period Increase (Decrease), Total		$ 4,600
Payments by Insurance Companies for Claims			$ 200	$ 900