Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 4,208,330	$ 4,611,803	$ 4,324,787
Costs of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization	3,721,303	3,977,963	3,682,367
Depreciation and amortization	169,662	154,452	140,926
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment	78,625	0	0
General and administrative expenses	265,910	238,305	215,402
Interest expense, net	48,055	50,769	46,442
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	5,624
Other income, net	(7,479)	(8,116)	(6,188)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	(67,746)	198,430	240,214
Provision for income taxes	(11,957)	(76,429)	(92,542)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	(79,703)	122,001	147,672
Discontinued operations:
Net loss from discontinued operations	0	(6,452)	(6,456)
Net (loss) income	(79,703)	115,549	141,216
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests	(593)	(374)	266
Net (loss) income attributable to MasTec, Inc.	$ (79,110)	$ 115,923	$ 140,950
Basic (loss) earnings per share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.98)	$ 1.53	$ 1.92
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.00	(0.08)	(0.09)
Total basic (loss) earnings per share	$ (0.98)	$ 1.45	$ 1.83
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	80,489	79,953	76,923
Diluted (loss) earnings per share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.98)	$ 1.42	$ 1.74
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.00	(0.07)	(0.08)
Total diluted (loss) earnings per share	$ (0.98)	$ 1.35	$ 1.66
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	80,489	86,196	84,901