Significant accounting policies (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2019	Jan. 31, 2018	Nov. 01, 2018	Nov. 02, 2017
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Retained customer deposits	$ 0	$ 1,084
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets			$ 13,200
Reclassification of Inventory to Property, Construction and Office Equipment			104,807	$ 0
Home Building [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Retained customer deposits	$ 3,200
Land sales prior [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets			$ 4,600