DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Description of the Business	Description of the Business The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Argan, Inc. (“Argan”), its wholly owned subsidiaries, its majority-controlled joint ventures and any variable interest entities for which Argan or one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. Argan conducts operations through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Gemma Power Systems, LLC and affiliates (“GPS”), which provided 94% and 98% of consolidated revenues for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively; Atlantic Projects Company Limited and affiliates (“APC,” see Note 2) and Southern Maryland Cable, Inc. (“SMC”). Argan and these consolidated subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to as the “Company.” All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s fiscal year ends on January 31 of each year. Through GPS and APC, the Company provides a full range of engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, operations management, maintenance, development and consulting services to the power generation and renewable energy markets for a wide range of customers including independent power project owners, public utilities, power plant equipment suppliers and global energy plant construction firms. GPS, including its consolidated joint ventures and variable interest entities (see Note 3), and APC represent our power industry services reportable segment. Through SMC, the telecommunications infrastructure services segment provides project management, construction, installation and maintenance services to commercial, local government and federal government customers primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region. In Note 17, the Company has provided certain financial information relating to the operating results and assets of its reportable segments based on the manner in which management disaggregates the Company’s financial reporting for purposes of making internal operating decisions.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of October 31, 2015, the condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2015 and 2014, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 and 2014 are unaudited. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2015 has been derived from audited financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, considered necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of October 31, 2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for any other interim period or for a full fiscal year. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, the notes thereto (including the summary of significant accounting policies), and the independent registered public accounting firm’s report thereon that are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 on April 16, 2015.
Fair Values	Fair Values The carrying value amounts presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets for the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, notes receivable and accounts payable are reasonable estimates of their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value amounts of operating segments (as needed for purposes of identifying indications of impairment to the carrying value of goodwill) are determined by averaging valuation amounts that are calculated using several market-based and income-based approaches deemed appropriate for the circumstances.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in US Dollars. The effects of translating the financial statements of APC (see Note 2) from its functional currency (Euros) into the Company’s reporting currency (US Dollars) are recognized as translation adjustments in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) which is net of tax, where applicable. The translation of assets and liabilities to US Dollars is made at the exchange rate in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date, while equity accounts are translated at historical rates. The foreign currency translation adjustment balance included in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 was $411,000. Net foreign currency transaction exchange gains and losses were included in the other income, net, section of the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2015; such amounts were net gains of $383,000 and $165,000, respectively.