Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,076,247,000	$ 869,029,000	$ 3,165,499,000	$ 2,594,374,000
Operating profit	40,733,000	35,326,000	84,148,000	73,081,000
Engineering | Reclassifications
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		7,800,000		23,600,000
Operating profit		200,000		700,000
Janitorial | Reclassifications
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		(7,800,000)		(23,600,000)
Operating profit		(200,000)		(700,000)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gain (loss) related to settlement	2,700,000		2,700,000
Collection of an outstanding accounts receivable	400,000		400,000
Revenues	278,000	320,000	938,000	1,099,000
Operating profit	(19,273,000)	(17,021,000)	(66,774,000)	(64,720,000)
Janitorial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	598,697,000	575,204,000	1,783,557,000	1,717,537,000
Operating profit	40,144,000	38,380,000	104,942,000	101,040,000
Engineering
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	236,213,000	94,383,000	658,058,000	285,716,000
Operating profit	$ 9,878,000	$ 6,118,000	$ 24,170,000	$ 16,415,000