Geographic Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011
Revenues
Revenues	$ 554,319	$ 394,305	$ 1,249,955	$ 1,048,096
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	42,952	3,888	52,193	(44,643)
Total assets
Total assets	5,456,272		5,456,272		5,055,246
North [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	177,068	106,425	363,801	273,545
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	33,720	14,269	51,453	28,737
Total assets
Total assets	1,200,946		1,200,946		1,060,215
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	155,602	147,722	360,007	351,112
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	18,256	18,605	37,046	33,701
Total assets
Total assets	1,277,511		1,277,511		1,160,926
South [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	97,076	68,945	255,910	197,306
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,202	(13,495)	9,200	(27,107)
Total assets
Total assets	781,761		781,761		760,097
West [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	124,573	71,213	270,237	226,133
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	8,940	4,588	17,108	(22,552)
Total assets
Total assets	927,077		927,077		650,844
Corporate and other [Member]
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes	(23,166)	(20,079)	(62,614)	(57,422)
Total assets
Total assets	$ 1,268,977		$ 1,268,977		$ 1,423,164