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Commitments and Contingencies (Changes in Self-insurance Liability) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in Self-insurance Liability [Roll Forward]    
Balance, beginning of period $ 710,245us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve $ 668,100us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve
Reserves provided 15,832phm_AdditionsToSelfInsuranceReserves 14,855phm_AdditionsToSelfInsuranceReserves
Payments (5,310)us-gaap_PaymentsForLossesAndLossAdjustmentExpense (18,544)us-gaap_PaymentsForLossesAndLossAdjustmentExpense
Balance, end of period $ 720,767us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve $ 664,411us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve