Geographic Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012
Revenues
Revenues	$ 689,160	$ 554,319	$ 1,629,765	$ 1,249,955
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	68,253	42,952	117,547	52,193
Total assets
Total assets	6,787,543		6,787,543		6,181,044
North [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	182,773	177,068	379,723	363,801
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	29,655	33,720	44,405	51,453
Total assets
Total assets	1,532,338		1,532,338		1,205,900
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	166,303	155,602	446,001	360,007
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	20,211	18,256	53,787	37,046
Total assets
Total assets	1,429,246		1,429,246		1,304,798
South [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	195,568	97,076	418,310	255,910
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	21,901	5,202	38,796	9,200
Total assets
Total assets	955,964		955,964		821,001
West [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	144,516	124,573	385,731	270,237
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	21,827	8,940	42,881	17,108
Total assets
Total assets	1,142,769		1,142,769		913,699
Corporate and other [Member]
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income before income taxes	(25,341)	(23,166)	(62,322)	(62,614)
Total assets
Total assets	$ 1,727,226		$ 1,727,226		$ 1,935,646