Self-Insurance - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011
Schedule of Other Liabilities [Line Items]
Self-insurance reserve adjustments	$ 9,910,000	$ (12,032,000)
Standby letters of credit	96,900,000		97,000,000
Restricted insurance deposits	31,700,000		36,000,000
Surety Bonds	211,100,000		231,500,000
Corporate segment
Schedule of Other Liabilities [Line Items]
Self-insurance reserve adjustments	9,700,000
Supported Insurance Claim Liabilities
Schedule of Other Liabilities [Line Items]
Surety Bonds	$ 35,100,000		$ 30,900,000

Name:	abm_ScheduleOfOtherLiabilitiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	abm_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of letters issued by a bank to serve as a guarantee for payments made to a specified person under specified conditions. This amount decreases the available balance under the line of credit.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abm_StandbyLettersOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	abm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of bonds, as of the end of the accounting period, issued by a second party, guaranteeing the fulfillment of the Company's obligations to a third party. In the event that the Company does not meet its obligations, the third party will recover its losses via the bond.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abm_SuretyBonds
Namespace Prefix:	abm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the period in the carrying amount of accrued known and estimated losses incurred for which no insurance coverage exists, and for which a claim has been made or is probable of being asserted, typically arising from workmen's' compensation-type of incidents and personal injury to nonemployees from accidents on the entity's property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInSelfInsuranceReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash and equivalents whose use in whole or in part is restricted for the long-term, generally by contractual agreements or regulatory requirements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant