Note 14 - Per Share Calculation (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Hovnanian	$ 322,464	$ 17,105	$ (7,902)	$ (24,523)	$ 32,819	$ 8,466	$ 1,318	$ (11,308)	$ 307,144	$ 31,295	$ (66,197)
Less: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares									(7,107)	(58)
Numerator for basic earnings per share									300,037	31,237	(66,197)
Plus: undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested shares									7,107	58
Less: undistributed earnings reallocated to nonvested shares									(7,127)	(59)
Plus: interest on senior exchangeable notes									3,487	3,720
Numerator for diluted earnings per share									$ 303,504	$ 34,956	$ (66,197)
Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share (in Shares)	146,413	146,365	146,325	145,982	145,821	146,056	145,948	141,725	146,271	145,087	126,350
Effect of dilutive securities:
Share-based payments (in Shares)									1,013	1,396
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted-average shares outstanding (in Shares)	161,720	162,278	146,325	145,982	162,100	162,823	147,231	141,725	162,441	162,329	126,350
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in Dollars per share)	$ 2.15	$ 0.11	$ (0.05)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.22	$ 0.06	$ 0.01	$ (0.08)	$ 2.05	$ 0.22	$ (0.52)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in Dollars per share)	$ 1.95	$ 0.11	$ (0.05)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.21	$ 0.06	$ 0.01	$ (0.08)	$ 1.87	$ 0.22	$ (0.52)
Senior Exchangeable Notes [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities:
Senior exchangeable notes (in Shares)									15,157	15,846