Note 12 - Insurance Reserves (Details) - Insurance Reserves (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Insurance Reserves [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 49,637,000us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve	$ 47,852,000us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve	$ 49,376,000us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve
Balance at end of period	50,470,000us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve	49,637,000us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve	47,852,000us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve
Expense provisions	6,316,000	7,065,000	4,565,000
Cash payments, net of recoveries	(5,483,000)	(5,280,000)	(8,020,000)
Adjustments	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,931,000

Name:	mdc_InsuranceReservesAbstract
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The increase (decrease) during the period in the carrying amount of accrued known and estimated losses incurred for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's' compensation-type of incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on the entity's property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInSelfInsuranceReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Monetary decrease in the future benefit reserve resulting from amounts paid to policy and contract holders during the period for policy benefit claims.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR)

-Number 403

-Paragraph 04

-Subparagraph b

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsBenefitsPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense (income) recognized due to changes in the accrued obligation to policyholders that relates to insured events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR)

-Number 403

-Paragraph 04

-Subparagraph b

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsPeriodExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions) of accrued known and estimated losses incurred as of the balance sheet date for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's compensation-type of incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on the entity's property.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant