Debt - Debt Maturities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Debt Maturities [Line Items]
2013	$ 642
2014	115
2015
2016
2017
Thereafter	600,000
Total	$ 600,757

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of outstanding debt due within one year of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	nvr_DebtBorrowingsDueCurrent
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of outstanding debt due within the fifth year of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	nvr_DebtBorrowingsDueInFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	nvr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of outstanding debt due within the fourth year of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	nvr_DebtBorrowingsDueInFourYears
Namespace Prefix:	nvr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of outstanding debt due within the third year of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	nvr_DebtBorrowingsDueInThreeYears
Namespace Prefix:	nvr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of outstanding debt due within the second year of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	nvr_DebtBorrowingsDueInTwoYears
Namespace Prefix:	nvr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of outstanding debt due after the fifth year of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	nvr_DebtBorrowingsDueThereafter
Namespace Prefix:	nvr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying value as of the balance sheet of the outstanding debt borrowings.

No definition available.

Name:	nvr_DebtBorrowingsOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	nvr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	nvr_ScheduleOfDebtMaturitiesLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration