Changes in Carrying Amounts of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended																		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012		Oct. 31, 2013 Janitorial	Oct. 31, 2012 Janitorial	Oct. 31, 2013 ABM Facility Services		Oct. 31, 2012 ABM Facility Services		Oct. 31, 2011 ABM Facility Services		Oct. 31, 2013 Parking	Oct. 31, 2012 Parking	Oct. 31, 2011 Parking	Oct. 31, 2013 Security	Oct. 31, 2012 Security	Oct. 31, 2011 Security	Oct. 31, 2013 Building & Energy Solutions		Oct. 31, 2012 Building & Energy Solutions		Oct. 31, 2013 Other
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 751,610		$ 750,872		$ 469,679	$ 469,231	$ 72,648	[1]	$ 72,648	[1]	$ 72,648	[1]	$ 69,168	$ 69,168	$ 69,168	$ 49,938	$ 49,938	$ 49,938	$ 90,177	[1]	$ 89,887	[1]
Acquisitions	120,714	[2]	1,937	[2]															29,475	[1],[2]	1,937	[1],[2]	91,239	[2]
Other			(1,199)			448															(1,647)	[1]
Foreign Currency Translation	72				(39)																		111
Ending Balance	$ 872,396		$ 751,610		$ 469,640	$ 469,679	$ 72,648	[1]	$ 72,648	[1]	$ 72,648	[1]	$ 69,168	$ 69,168	$ 69,168	$ 49,938	$ 49,938	$ 49,938	$ 119,652	[1]	$ 90,177	[1]	$ 91,350

[1] In connection with the realignment of our organizational structure during 2013, we reallocated our goodwill balances related to the previous Facility Solutions segment to the Facility Services and Building & Energy Solutions segments using the relative fair value approach as of the date of realignment, November 1, 2012.

[2] Goodwill related to acquisitions is discussed in Note 4, "Acquisitions."