<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.23.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>193</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>252</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>46</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>6</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000001 - Document - Cover</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/Cover</Role>
      <ShortName>Cover</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000002 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETS</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000003 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000004 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFNETINCOMEANDCOMPREHENSIVEINCOME</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000005 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS??? EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS??? EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000006 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000007 - Disclosure - Organization and Nature of Business Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/OrganizationandNatureofBusinessOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Nature of Business Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000008 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000009 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/RecentAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Pronouncements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000010 - Disclosure - Earnings per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/EarningsperShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000011 - Disclosure - Business Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/BusinessAcquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Acquisitions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000012 - Disclosure - Billed and Unbilled Receivables</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/BilledandUnbilledReceivables</Role>
      <ShortName>Billed and Unbilled Receivables</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000013 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentnet</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment, net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000014 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000015 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/AccruedLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000016 - Disclosure - Notes Payable and Other Obligations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/NotesPayableandOtherObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable and Other Obligations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000017 - Disclosure - Contingent Consideration</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/ContingentConsideration</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingent Consideration</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000018 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000019 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000020 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000021 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/ReportableSegments</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000022 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000023 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000024 - Disclosure - Earnings per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/EarningsperShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/EarningsperShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000025 - Disclosure - Business Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/BusinessAcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/BusinessAcquisitions</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000026 - Disclosure - Billed and Unbilled Receivables (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/BilledandUnbilledReceivablesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Billed and Unbilled Receivables (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/BilledandUnbilledReceivables</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000027 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentnetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment, net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentnet</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000028 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000029 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/AccruedLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000030 - Disclosure - Notes Payable and Other Obligations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/NotesPayableandOtherObligationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable and Other Obligations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/NotesPayableandOtherObligations</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000031 - Disclosure - Contingent Consideration (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/ContingentConsiderationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingent Consideration (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/ContingentConsideration</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000032 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000033 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/ReportableSegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/ReportableSegments</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000034 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueRecognitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000035 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Contract Balances (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesContractBalancesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Contract Balances (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000036 - Disclosure - Earnings per Share - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/EarningsperShareNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Share - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000037 - Disclosure - Earnings per Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/EarningsperShareScheduleofEarningsPerShareBasicandDilutedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings per Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000038 - Disclosure - Business Acquisitions - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/BusinessAcquisitionsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Acquisitions - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000039 - Disclosure - Business Acquisitions - Summary of the Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/BusinessAcquisitionsSummaryoftheFairValuesofAssetsAcquiredandLiabilitiesAssumedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Acquisitions - Summary of the Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000040 - Disclosure - Business Acquisitions - Results of Operations From any Business Acquired (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/BusinessAcquisitionsResultsofOperationsFromanyBusinessAcquiredDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Acquisitions - Results of Operations From any Business Acquired (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000041 - Disclosure - Business Acquisitions - Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaConsolidatedResultsofOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Acquisitions - Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000042 - Disclosure - Billed and Unbilled Receivables (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/BilledandUnbilledReceivablesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Billed and Unbilled Receivables (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/BilledandUnbilledReceivablesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000043 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentnetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment, net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentnetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000044 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment, net - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentnetNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment, net - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000045 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsScheduleofGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000046 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000047 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsScheduleofFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000048 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000049 - Disclosure - Notes Payable and Other Obligations - Summary of Notes Payable and Other Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/NotesPayableandOtherObligationsSummaryofNotesPayableandOtherObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable and Other Obligations - Summary of Notes Payable and Other Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000050 - Disclosure - Notes Payable and Other Obligations - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/NotesPayableandOtherObligationsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable and Other Obligations - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000051 - Disclosure - Contingent Consideration (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/ContingentConsiderationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingent Consideration (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/ContingentConsiderationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000052 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/StockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000053 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Awards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/StockBasedCompensationRestrictedStockAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Awards (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000054 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000055 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/ReportableSegmentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000056 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments - Summarized Financial Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/ReportableSegmentsSummarizedFinancialInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments - Summarized Financial Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000057 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments - Revenue From Contracts With Customers by Geographic Location (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/ReportableSegmentsRevenueFromContractsWithCustomersbyGeographicLocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments - Revenue From Contracts With Customers by Geographic Location (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000058 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments - Revenue by Customer Type (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/ReportableSegmentsRevenuebyCustomerTypeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments - Revenue by Customer Type (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000059 - Disclosure - Reportable Segments - Revenue by Contract Type (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/ReportableSegmentsRevenuebyContractTypeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reportable Segments - Revenue by Contract Type (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="nvee-20230401.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000060 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.nv5.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.nv5.com/role/SubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Warning">[ix-0514-Hidden-Fact-Eligible-For-Transform] WARN: 1 fact(s) appearing in ix:hidden were eligible for transformation: us-gaap:ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1 -  nvee-20230401.htm 4</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" original="nvee-20230401.htm">nvee-20230401.htm</File>
    <File>nvee-20230401.xsd</File>
    <File>nvee-20230401_cal.xml</File>
    <File>nvee-20230401_def.xml</File>
    <File>nvee-20230401_lab.xml</File>
    <File>nvee-20230401_pre.xml</File>
    <File>nvee-2023x04x01xex311.htm</File>
    <File>nvee-2023x04x01xex312.htm</File>
    <File>nvee-2023x04x01xex321.htm</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="614">http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2022</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="30">http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
