Note 6 - Warranty Costs (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015
General Liability Insurance Deductible	$ 20,000		$ 20,000		$ 20,000
Bodily Injury Insurance Deductible	250		250		250
Bodily Injury Insurance Limit	5,000		5,000		5,000
Cash Received from Subcontractors for Owner Controlled Insurance Program			2,000	$ 1,300
Aggregate Retention for Construction Defects Warranty and Bodily Injury Claims	21,000		21,000		$ 21,000
Payments by Insurance Companies for Claims	$ 500	$ 18,100	$ 3,700	$ 18,300