Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Overview The Goldfield Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in Wyoming in 1906 and subsequently reincorporated in Delaware in 1968. The Company’s principal line of business is electrical construction. The principal market for the Company’s electrical construction operation is electric utilities throughout much of the United States. Basis of Financial Statement Presentation In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and changes in cash flows for the interim periods reported. These adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. All financial statements presented herein are unaudited with the exception of the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, which was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the interim periods shown in this report are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the fiscal year. These statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on customer specific information and historical write-off experience. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. Any increase in the allowance account has a corresponding negative effect on the results of operations. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, upon its review, management determined it was not necessary to record an allowance for doubtful accounts due to the majority of accounts receivable being generated by electrical utility customers who the Company considers creditworthy based on timely collection history and other considerations. Use of Estimates Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management considers the most significant estimates in preparing these financial statements to be the estimated cost to complete electrical construction contracts in progress and the deferred tax assets and liabilities. Financial Instruments - Fair Value The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, restricted cash collateral deposited with insurance carriers, cash surrender value of life insurance policies, accounts payable, notes payable, and other current liabilities. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value guidance establishes a valuation hierarchy, which requires maximizing the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of inputs that may be used are: Level 1 - Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 - Observable market based inputs or other observable inputs. Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data. These values are generally determined using valuation models incorporating management’s estimates of market participant assumptions. Fair values of financial instruments are estimated through the use of public market prices, quotes from financial institutions, and other available information. Management considers the carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accrued billings, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, to approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of notes receivable is considered by management to approximate carrying value based on their interest rates and terms, maturities, collateral, and current status of the receivables. The fair value of notes payable is considered by management to approximate carrying value due in part to the short term maturity of these borrowings. The Company’s long-term notes payable are also estimated by management to approximate carrying value since the interest rates prescribed by Branch Banking and Trust (the “Bank”) are variable market interest rates and are adjusted periodically. Restricted cash is considered by management to approximate fair value due to the nature of the asset held in a secured interest bearing bank account. The carrying value of cash surrender value of life insurance is also considered by management to approximate fair value as the carrying value is based on the current settlement value under the contract, as provided by the carrier. Restricted Cash The Company’s restricted cash includes cash deposited in a secured interest bearing bank account, as required by the Collateral Trust Agreement in connection with the Company’s workers’ compensation insurance policies, as described in note 9. Segment Reporting The Company operates as a single reportable segment under ASC 280-10-50 Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. Reclassifications Certain amounts previously reflected in the prior year balance sheet and statement of cash flows have been reclassified to conform to the Company’s 2013 presentation. The current liabilities on the balance sheet and the statement of cash flows, included amounts under contract loss accruals which are now reported within accounts payable and accrued liabilities. This reclassification had no effect on the previously reported total current liabilities or cash flows from operating activities. Subsequent Events In addition to the subsequent events included in these notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company conducted a review for additional subsequent events and is not aware of any significant events that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date, but prior to the filing of this report that would have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Overview

The Goldfield Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in Wyoming in 1906 and subsequently reincorporated in Delaware in 1968. The Company’s principal line of business is electrical construction. The principal market for the Company’s electrical construction operation is electric utilities throughout much of the United States.

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and changes in cash flows for the interim periods reported. These adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. All financial statements presented herein are unaudited with the exception of the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, which was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the interim periods shown in this report are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the fiscal year. These statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on customer specific information and historical write-off experience. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. Any increase in the allowance account has a corresponding negative effect on the results of operations. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, upon its review, management determined it was not necessary to record an allowance for doubtful accounts due to the majority of accounts receivable being generated by electrical utility customers who the Company considers creditworthy based on timely collection history and other considerations.

Use of Estimates

Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management considers the most significant estimates in preparing these financial statements to be the estimated cost to complete electrical construction contracts in progress and the deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Financial Instruments - Fair Value

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, restricted cash collateral deposited with insurance carriers, cash surrender value of life insurance policies, accounts payable, notes payable, and other current liabilities.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value guidance establishes a valuation hierarchy, which requires maximizing the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value.

The three levels of inputs that may be used are:

Level 1 - Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Observable market based inputs or other observable inputs.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data. These values are generally determined using valuation models incorporating management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.

Fair values of financial instruments are estimated through the use of public market prices, quotes from financial institutions, and other available information. Management considers the carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accrued billings, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, to approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of notes receivable is considered by management to approximate carrying value based on their interest rates and terms, maturities, collateral, and current status of the receivables. The fair value of notes payable is considered by management to approximate carrying value due in part to the short term maturity of these borrowings. The Company’s long-term notes payable are also estimated by management to approximate carrying value since the interest rates prescribed by Branch Banking and Trust (the “Bank”) are variable market interest rates and are adjusted periodically. Restricted cash is considered by management to approximate fair value due to the nature of the asset held in a secured interest bearing bank account. The carrying value of cash surrender value of life insurance is also considered by management to approximate fair value as the carrying value is based on the current settlement value under the contract, as provided by the carrier.

Restricted Cash

The Company’s restricted cash includes cash deposited in a secured interest bearing bank account, as required by the Collateral Trust Agreement in connection with the Company’s workers’ compensation insurance policies, as described in note 9.

Segment Reporting

The Company operates as a single reportable segment under ASC 280-10-50 Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts previously reflected in the prior year balance sheet and statement of cash flows have been reclassified to conform to the Company’s 2013 presentation. The current liabilities on the balance sheet and the statement of cash flows, included amounts under contract loss accruals which are now reported within accounts payable and accrued liabilities. This reclassification had no effect on the previously reported total current liabilities or cash flows from operating activities.

Subsequent Events

In addition to the subsequent events included in these notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company conducted a review for additional subsequent events and is not aware of any significant events that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date, but prior to the filing of this report that would have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.