Receivables, Net - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Back charges claims	$ 1,400,000	$ 1,100,000	$ 300,000
Uncollectible Receivables [Member] \| Retentions [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts Notes Loans and Financing Receivable Gross Current	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

The aggregate of the gross amounts due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer), for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business and an amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date within one year of the balance sheet.

No definition available.

Name:	gva_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableGrossCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	gva_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant