Variable Interest Entities and Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Specific performance obligations
Contract land deposits	$ 197,324	$ 174,303
Loss reserve on contract land deposits	(68,122)	(73,517)
Contract land deposits, net	129,202	100,786
Contingent obligations in the form of letters of credit	3,054	6,610
Contingent specific performance obligations	3,617	1,944
Total risk of loss	$ 135,873	$ 109,340

Contingent obligations in the form of letters of credit.

Name:	nvr_ContingentObligationsInFormOfLettersOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	nvr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contingent specific performance obligations.

+ Details

Name:	nvr_ContingentSpecificPerformanceObligations
Namespace Prefix:	nvr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The gross amount as of the balance sheet date of deposits paid to secure the right to purchase finished lots under fixed price purchase agreements.

+ Details

Name:	nvr_ContractLandDeposits
Namespace Prefix:	nvr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Quantifies the entity's maximum exposure to loss related to contract land deposits.

+ Details

Name:	nvr_ContractLandDepositsRiskOfLoss
Namespace Prefix:	nvr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net change during the reporting period in the reserve account established to account for expected but unspecified losses related to contract land deposits.

+ Details

Name:	nvr_LossReserveOnContractLandDeposits
Namespace Prefix:	nvr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Specific performance obligations.

+ Details

Name:	nvr_SpecificPerformanceObligationsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	nvr
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying value of amounts transferred to third parties for security purposes that are expected to be returned or applied towards payment in the future.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 17
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DepositsAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant