Geographic Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012
Revenues
Revenues	$ 516,004	$ 373,681	$ 940,605	$ 695,636
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	40,968	15,649	49,294	9,241
Total assets
Total assets	6,558,605		6,558,605		6,181,044
North [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	104,280	111,153	196,950	186,733
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	7,495	16,672	14,757	17,705
Total assets
Total assets	1,474,653		1,474,653		1,205,900
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	147,546	103,606	279,697	204,405
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	18,480	7,729	33,575	18,804
Total assets
Total assets	1,401,122		1,401,122		1,304,798
South [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	135,557	82,368	222,742	158,834
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	14,170	6,213	16,895	3,988
Total assets
Total assets	930,790		930,790		821,001
West [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	128,621	76,554	241,216	145,664
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	13,008	2,697	21,055	8,166
Total assets
Total assets	1,068,681		1,068,681		913,699
Corporate and other [Member]
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	(12,185)	(17,662)	(36,988)	(39,422)
Total assets
Total assets	$ 1,683,359		$ 1,683,359		$ 1,935,646