Accounting Policies Accounting Policies (Notes)	3 Months Ended
Oct. 27, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation – Dycom Industries, Inc. (“Dycom” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of specialty contracting services. These services, which are provided throughout the United States and in Canada, include engineering, construction, maintenance and installation services to telecommunications providers, underground facility locating services to various utilities, including telecommunications providers, and other construction and maintenance services to electric and gas utilities and others. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of Dycom and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated and the financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring accruals that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of such statements. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Additionally, the results of operations for the three months ended October 27, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements for the entire year ended July 28, 2012 included in the Company’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on September 4, 2012. Accounting Period – The Company uses a fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in July. Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. For the Company, key estimates include: recognition of revenue for costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, the fair value of reporting units for goodwill impairment analysis, the assessment of impairment of intangibles and other long-lived assets, income taxes, accrued insurance claims, asset lives used in computing depreciation and amortization, allowance for doubtful accounts, stock-based compensation expense for performance-based stock awards, and accruals for contingencies, including legal matters. At the time they are made, the Company believes that such estimates are fair when considered in conjunction with the consolidated financial position and results of operations taken as a whole. However, actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the financial statements. Restricted Cash – As of October 27, 2012 and July 28, 2012, the Company had approximately $3.7 million in restricted cash, which is held as collateral in support of the Company’s insurance obligations. Restricted cash is included in other current assets and other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and changes in restricted cash are reported in cash flows used in investing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Fair Value of Financial Instruments – Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC Topic 820”) defines and establishes a measurement framework for fair value and expands disclosure requirements. ASC Topic 820 requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: (1) Level 1 - Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; (2) Level 2 - Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data; and (3) Level 3 - Unobservable inputs not corroborated by market data which require the reporting entity’s own assumptions. The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts and other receivables, income taxes receivable and payable, accounts payable and certain accrued expenses, and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of these items approximate fair value due to their short maturity, except for the Company’s outstanding 7.125% senior subordinated notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”). The Company determined that the fair value of the 2021 Notes as of October 27, 2012 and July 28, 2012 was $200.9 million and $192.0 million, respectively, as compared to the carrying value of $187.5 million. The fair value of the 2021 Notes is categorized as Level 2 as of October 27, 2012 and July 28, 2012, based on observable market-based inputs. The Company's cash and equivalents are categorized as Level 1 as of October 27, 2012 and July 28, 2012, based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. During the three months ended October 27, 2012 and October 29, 2011, the Company had no non-recurring fair value measurements of assets or liabilities subsequent to their initial recognition. Segment Information – The Company operates in one reportable segment as a specialty contractor, providing engineering, construction, maintenance and installation services to telecommunications providers, underground facility locating services to various utilities including telecommunications providers, and other construction and maintenance services to electric and gas utilities and others. All of the Company’s operating segments have been aggregated into one reporting segment due to their similar economic characteristics, nature of services and production processes, type of customers, and service distribution methods. The Company’s services are provided by its various subsidiaries throughout the United States and in Canada. One of the Company’s operating segments earned revenues from contracts in Canada of approximately $3.9 million and $3.8 million during the three months ended October 27, 2012 and October 29, 2011, respectively. The Company had no material long-lived assets in the Canadian operations at October 27, 2012 or July 28, 2012. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). ASU 2011-05 requires the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income to be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. ASU 2011-05 also requires entities to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income. The amendments of ASU 2011-05 do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Other Comprehensive Income in ASU 2011-05 (“ASU 2011-12”). ASU 2011-12 defers only those provisions in ASU 2011-05 relating to the presentation of the reclassification adjustments. ASU 2011-12 and the remaining provisions of ASU 2011-05 are effective retrospectively for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company now presents condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income as a result of adopting the update. In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”). ASU 2011-08 permits entities testing for goodwill impairment to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. ASU 2011-08 does not change how goodwill is determined or assigned to reporting units, nor does it revise the requirement to assess goodwill at least annually for impairment. ASU 2011-08 is effective for goodwill impairment tests performed in interim and annual periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In July 2012, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2012-02, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment ("ASU 2012-02"). ASU 2012-02 amends Topic 350 by establishing an optional two-step analysis for impairment testing of indefinite-lived intangibles other than goodwill. This update allows an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. Under that option, an entity no longer would be required to calculate the fair value of the intangible asset unless the entity determines, based on that qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. ASU 2012-02 is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this update may have on its impairment testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation – Dycom Industries, Inc. (“Dycom” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of specialty contracting services. These services, which are provided throughout the United States and in Canada, include engineering, construction, maintenance and installation services to telecommunications providers, underground facility locating services to various utilities, including telecommunications providers, and other construction and maintenance services to electric and gas utilities and others.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of Dycom and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated and the financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring accruals that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of such statements. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Additionally, the results of operations for the three months ended October 27, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements for the entire year ended July 28, 2012 included in the Company’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on September 4, 2012.

Accounting Period – The Company uses a fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in July.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. For the Company, key estimates include: recognition of revenue for costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, the fair value of reporting units for goodwill impairment analysis, the assessment of impairment of intangibles and other long-lived assets, income taxes, accrued insurance claims, asset lives used in computing depreciation and amortization, allowance for doubtful accounts, stock-based compensation expense for performance-based stock awards, and accruals for contingencies, including legal matters. At the time they are made, the Company believes that such estimates are fair when considered in conjunction with the consolidated financial position and results of operations taken as a whole. However, actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the financial statements.

Restricted Cash – As of October 27, 2012 and July 28, 2012, the Company had approximately $3.7 million in restricted cash, which is held as collateral in support of the Company’s insurance obligations. Restricted cash is included in other current assets and other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and changes in restricted cash are reported in cash flows used in investing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments – Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC Topic 820”) defines and establishes a measurement framework for fair value and expands disclosure requirements. ASC Topic 820 requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: (1) Level 1 - Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; (2) Level 2 - Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data; and (3) Level 3 - Unobservable inputs not corroborated by market data which require the reporting entity’s own assumptions. The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts and other receivables, income taxes receivable and payable, accounts payable and certain accrued expenses, and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of these items approximate fair value due to their short maturity, except for the Company’s outstanding 7.125% senior subordinated notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”). The Company determined that the fair value of the 2021 Notes as of October 27, 2012 and July 28, 2012 was $200.9 million and $192.0 million, respectively, as compared to the carrying value of $187.5 million. The fair value of the 2021 Notes is categorized as Level 2 as of October 27, 2012 and July 28, 2012, based on observable market-based inputs. The Company's cash and equivalents are categorized as Level 1 as of October 27, 2012 and July 28, 2012, based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. During the three months ended October 27, 2012 and October 29, 2011, the Company had no non-recurring fair value measurements of assets or liabilities subsequent to their initial recognition.

Segment Information – The Company operates in one reportable segment as a specialty contractor, providing engineering, construction, maintenance and installation services to telecommunications providers, underground facility locating services to various utilities including telecommunications providers, and other construction and maintenance services to electric and gas utilities and others. All of the Company’s operating segments have been aggregated into one reporting segment due to their similar economic characteristics, nature of services and production processes, type of customers, and service distribution methods. The Company’s services are provided by its various subsidiaries throughout the United States and in Canada. One of the Company’s operating segments earned revenues from contracts in Canada of approximately $3.9 million and $3.8 million during the three months ended October 27, 2012 and October 29, 2011, respectively. The Company had no material long-lived assets in the Canadian operations at October 27, 2012 or July 28, 2012.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). ASU 2011-05 requires the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income to be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. ASU 2011-05 also requires entities to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income. The amendments of ASU 2011-05 do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Other Comprehensive Income in ASU 2011-05 (“ASU 2011-12”). ASU 2011-12 defers only those provisions in ASU 2011-05 relating to the presentation of the reclassification adjustments. ASU 2011-12 and the remaining provisions of ASU 2011-05 are effective retrospectively for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company now presents condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income as a result of adopting the update.

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”). ASU 2011-08 permits entities testing for goodwill impairment to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. ASU 2011-08 does not change how goodwill is determined or assigned to reporting units, nor does it revise the requirement to assess goodwill at least annually for impairment. ASU 2011-08 is effective for goodwill impairment tests performed in interim and annual periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In July 2012, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2012-02, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment ("ASU 2012-02"). ASU 2012-02 amends Topic 350 by establishing an optional two-step analysis for impairment testing of indefinite-lived intangibles other than goodwill. This update allows an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. Under that option, an entity no longer would be required to calculate the fair value of the intangible asset unless the entity determines, based on that qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. ASU 2012-02 is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this update may have on its impairment testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.