Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Policy Text Block [Abstract]
Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Nature of the Business MasTec, Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries, “MasTec” or the “Company”) is a leading infrastructure construction company operating mainly throughout North America across a range of industries. The Company’s activities include the engineering, building, installation, maintenance and upgrade of energy, utility and communications infrastructure, such as: electrical utility transmission and distribution; power generation; natural gas and petroleum pipeline infrastructure; wireless, wireline and satellite communications; wind farms, solar farms and other renewable energy; industrial infrastructure; and water and sewer systems. MasTec’s customers are primarily in the utility, communications and government industries. Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Pursuant to these rules and regulations, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 is derived from the Company’s audited financial statements as of that date. Because certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted, these condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 contained in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended. In management’s opinion, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented have been included. Interim period operating results do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year. The Company believes that the disclosures made in these condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information not misleading. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements include MasTec, Inc. and its subsidiaries and include the accounts of all majority-owned subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control and, when applicable, entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. Other parties’ interests in companies for which MasTec exercises control and has a controlling financial interest are reported as non-controlling interests within shareholders’ equity. Net income or loss attributable to non-controlling interests is reported as a separate line item below net income. The Company’s investments in entities in which the Company does not have a controlling interest, but has the ability to exert significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Equity method investments are recorded as long-term assets in the condensed unaudited consolidated balance sheets. Income or loss from these investments is recorded in other income or expense, net, in the condensed unaudited consolidated statements of operations. The cost method is used for investments in entities in which the Company does not have the ability to exert significant influence. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Discontinued Operations In determining whether a group of assets to be disposed of should be presented as a discontinued operation, the Company makes a determination as to whether such assets comprise a component of the entity, which includes an assessment as to whether it has historic operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished. The Company also determines whether the cash flows associated with the group of assets will be significantly eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company as a result of the disposal transaction and whether the Company will have no significant continuing involvement in the operations of the disposed assets after the disposal transaction. If management believes these conditions exist, then the assets and liabilities and results of operations of the assets to be disposed, as well as any estimated gain or loss on the disposal transaction, are aggregated for presentation separately from the financial position and operating results of the Company's continuing operations. For those businesses for which management has committed to a plan of sale, the business is valued at the lower of its carrying amount or estimated fair value less costs to sell. If the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. Estimated fair value is determined using management estimates and entity-specific assumptions. Management considers historical experience and all available information at the time such estimates are made; however, the fair value that is ultimately recognized upon sale of the related business may differ from the estimated fair value as reflected in the condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements. Depreciation and amortization expense is not recorded on assets of a business to be sold once that business has been classified as held for sale. In May 2012, Red Ventures LLC (“Red Ventures”) exercised its purchase option to acquire MasTec’s wholly owned subsidiary, DirectStar TV, LLC (“DirectStar”), including its subsidiaries (together, the “DirectStar Business”). The transaction was consummated in June 2012. Accordingly, the DirectStar Business is presented as a discontinued operation in the condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. In September 2012, MasTec's board of directors approved a plan of sale for the projects and net assets of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Globetec Construction LLC and subsidiaries (“Globetec”), to be completed on or before September 30, 2013. Accordingly, Globetec is presented as a discontinued operation in the condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. In connection with its decision to sell Globetec, the Company recognized impairment losses of $12.7 million during the three month period ended September 30, 2012. See Note 4 - Discontinued Operations. Management Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Key estimates include: the recognition of revenue, in particular, on long-term construction contracts, including estimates to complete and provisions for contract losses; allowances for doubtful accounts; accrued self-insured claims; estimated fair values of goodwill and intangible assets, acquisition-related contingent consideration, assets and liabilities classified as held-for-sale, investments in equity method investees, securities available for sale and certain convertible debt obligations; asset lives used in computing depreciation and amortization, including amortization of intangible assets; accounting for income taxes; and the estimated impact of contingencies and ongoing litigation. While management believes that such estimates are fair when considered in conjunction with the consolidated financial position and results of operations taken as a whole, actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements. Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. Significant Accounting Policies Except for adoption of the accounting pronouncements discussed below, there have been no material changes to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as amended. Recently Issued Accounting Standards, Not Adopted as of September 30, 2012 In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2012-02 Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment (“ASU 2012-02”). ASU 2012-02 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired before performing quantitative impairment testing. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of greater than 50%. ASU 2012-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2012-02 on its indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment assessment methodology. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“ASU 2011-04”). The objective of ASU 2011-04 is to converge guidance of the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board on fair value measurement and disclosure. This update changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and disclosing information about fair value measurements; clarifies the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements; and changes particular principles or requirements for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04, which the Company adopted as of January 1, 2012, is effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. See fair value disclosures in Note 6 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments. In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). The objective of ASU 2011-05 is to improve the comparability, consistency and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 provides the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders' equity. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in ASU 2011-05 (“ASU 2011-12”), which defers the provisions in ASU 2011-05 relating to the presentation of reclassification adjustments. ASU 2011-12 reinstates the requirements for the presentation of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income that were in place before ASU 2011-05. The remaining provisions of ASU 2011-05 are effective retrospectively for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. ASU 2011-12, which the Company adopted as of January 1, 2012, is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. See the condensed unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income for related disclosures.

Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of the Business

MasTec, Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries, “MasTec” or the “Company”) is a leading infrastructure construction company operating mainly throughout North America across a range of industries. The Company’s activities include the engineering, building, installation, maintenance and upgrade of energy, utility and communications infrastructure, such as: electrical utility transmission and distribution; power generation; natural gas and petroleum pipeline infrastructure; wireless, wireline and satellite communications; wind farms, solar farms and other renewable energy; industrial infrastructure; and water and sewer systems. MasTec’s customers are primarily in the utility, communications and government industries.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Pursuant to these rules and regulations, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011 is derived from the Company’s audited financial statements as of that date. Because certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted, these condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 contained in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended. In management’s opinion, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented have been included. Interim period operating results do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year. The Company believes that the disclosures made in these condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information not misleading.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements include MasTec, Inc. and its subsidiaries and include the accounts of all majority-owned subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control and, when applicable, entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. Other parties’ interests in companies for which MasTec exercises control and has a controlling financial interest are reported as non-controlling interests within shareholders’ equity. Net income or loss attributable to non-controlling interests is reported as a separate line item below net income. The Company’s investments in entities in which the Company does not have a controlling interest, but has the ability to exert significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Equity method investments are recorded as long-term assets in the condensed unaudited consolidated balance sheets. Income or loss from these investments is recorded in other income or expense, net, in the condensed unaudited consolidated statements of operations. The cost method is used for investments in entities in which the Company does not have the ability to exert significant influence. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Discontinued Operations

In determining whether a group of assets to be disposed of should be presented as a discontinued operation, the Company makes a determination as to whether such assets comprise a component of the entity, which includes an assessment as to whether it has historic operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished. The Company also determines whether the cash flows associated with the group of assets will be significantly eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company as a result of the disposal transaction and whether the Company will have no significant continuing involvement in the operations of the disposed assets after the disposal transaction. If management believes these conditions exist, then the assets and liabilities and results of operations of the assets to be disposed, as well as any estimated gain or loss on the disposal transaction, are aggregated for presentation separately from the financial position and operating results of the Company's continuing operations.

For those businesses for which management has committed to a plan of sale, the business is valued at the lower of its carrying amount or estimated fair value less costs to sell. If the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. Estimated fair value is determined using management estimates and entity-specific assumptions. Management considers historical experience and all available information at the time such estimates are made; however, the fair value that is ultimately recognized upon sale of the related business may differ from the estimated fair value as reflected in the condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements. Depreciation and amortization expense is not recorded on assets of a business to be sold once that business has been classified as held for sale.

In May 2012, Red Ventures LLC (“Red Ventures”) exercised its purchase option to acquire MasTec’s wholly owned subsidiary, DirectStar TV, LLC (“DirectStar”), including its subsidiaries (together, the “DirectStar Business”). The transaction was consummated in June 2012. Accordingly, the DirectStar Business is presented as a discontinued operation in the condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

In September 2012, MasTec's board of directors approved a plan of sale for the projects and net assets of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Globetec Construction LLC and subsidiaries (“Globetec”), to be completed on or before September 30, 2013. Accordingly, Globetec is presented as a discontinued operation in the condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. In connection with its decision to sell Globetec, the Company recognized impairment losses of $12.7 million during the three month period ended September 30, 2012.

See Note 4 - Discontinued Operations.

Management Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Key estimates include: the recognition of revenue, in particular, on long-term construction contracts, including estimates to complete and provisions for contract losses; allowances for doubtful accounts; accrued self-insured claims; estimated fair values of goodwill and intangible assets, acquisition-related contingent consideration, assets and liabilities classified as held-for-sale, investments in equity method investees, securities available for sale and certain convertible debt obligations; asset lives used in computing depreciation and amortization, including amortization of intangible assets; accounting for income taxes; and the estimated impact of contingencies and ongoing litigation. While management believes that such estimates are fair when considered in conjunction with the consolidated financial position and results of operations taken as a whole, actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.

Significant Accounting Policies

Except for adoption of the accounting pronouncements discussed below, there have been no material changes to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as amended.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards, Not Adopted as of September 30, 2012

In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2012-02 Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment (“ASU 2012-02”). ASU 2012-02 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired before performing quantitative impairment testing. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of greater than 50%. ASU 2012-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2012-02 on its indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment assessment methodology.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“ASU 2011-04”). The objective of ASU 2011-04 is to converge guidance of the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board on fair value measurement and disclosure. This update changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and disclosing information about fair value measurements; clarifies the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements; and changes particular principles or requirements for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04, which the Company adopted as of January 1, 2012, is effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. See fair value disclosures in Note 6 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). The objective of ASU 2011-05 is to improve the comparability, consistency and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 provides the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders' equity.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in ASU 2011-05 (“ASU 2011-12”), which defers the provisions in ASU 2011-05 relating to the presentation of reclassification adjustments. ASU 2011-12 reinstates the requirements for the presentation of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income that were in place before ASU 2011-05. The remaining provisions of ASU 2011-05 are effective retrospectively for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. ASU 2011-12, which the Company adopted as of January 1, 2012, is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. See the condensed unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income for related disclosures.