Geographic Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011
Revenues
Revenues	$ 373,681	$ 319,675	$ 695,636	$ 653,791
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	15,649	(31,484)	9,241	(48,531)
Total assets
Total assets	5,365,085		5,365,085		5,055,246
North [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	111,153	84,623	186,733	167,120
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	16,684	7,398	17,731	14,467
Total assets
Total assets	1,232,656		1,232,656		1,060,215
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	103,606	99,578	204,405	203,392
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	7,729	6,414	18,804	15,099
Total assets
Total assets	1,258,758		1,258,758		1,160,926
South [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	82,368	66,454	158,834	128,359
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	6,271	(12,271)	4,046	(13,615)
Total assets
Total assets	776,620		776,620		760,097
West [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	76,554	69,020	145,664	154,920
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	3,574	(11,897)	9,043	(27,140)
Total assets
Total assets	803,832		803,832		650,844
Corporate and other [Member]
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	(18,609)	(21,128)	(40,383)	(37,342)
Total assets
Total assets	$ 1,293,219		$ 1,293,219		$ 1,423,164