Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2013 Customer	Oct. 31, 2012 Customer	Oct. 31, 2011 Customer
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Changes in reportable segments	As a result of this realignment, we have separated our previous Facility Solutions segment into two new reportable segments Facility Services and Building & Energy Solutions.
Number of client accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenues	0	0	0
Impairment loss	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Costs directly reimbursed from parking lot client	302,400,000	305,700,000	299,400,000
Advertising expense	$ 8,000,000	$ 5,900,000	$ 3,500,000
Minimum
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage	20.00%
Maximum
Basis of Presentation [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage	50.00%

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Number Of Customers Accounted For More Than Ten Percent Of Revenue

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- Definition

Additional information about the entity or its reportable segments that may contribute to an understanding of the enterprise.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 280

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

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Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 720

-SubTopic 35

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

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This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

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- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

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Repayment received or receivable for expenses incurred on behalf of a client or customer, other than those reimbursements received by landlords from tenants.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

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-Topic 605

-SubTopic 45

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