Geographic Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2011
Revenues
Revenues	$ 321,955	$ 334,116
(Loss) income before income taxes
(Loss) income before income taxes	(6,408)	(17,047)
Total assets
Total assets	4,974,902		5,055,246
North [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	75,580	82,497
(Loss) income before income taxes
(Loss) income before income taxes	1,201	7,068
Total assets
Total assets	1,102,276		1,060,215
Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	100,799	103,815
(Loss) income before income taxes
(Loss) income before income taxes	10,642	8,088
Total assets
Total assets	1,305,586		1,235,847
South [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	76,466	61,903
(Loss) income before income taxes
(Loss) income before income taxes	(2,077)	(1,348)
Total assets
Total assets	771,461		760,097
West [Member]
Revenues
Revenues	69,110	85,901
(Loss) income before income taxes
(Loss) income before income taxes	5,603	(15,240)
Total assets
Total assets	785,085		650,844
Corporate and other [Member]
(Loss) income before income taxes
(Loss) income before income taxes	(21,777)	(15,615)
Total assets
Total assets	$ 1,010,494		$ 1,348,243