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Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 05, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	IES Holdings, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001048268
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		21,205,536
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float			$ 125,188,131
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Trading Symbol	IESC

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 26,247	$ 28,290
Accounts receivable:
Trade, net of allowance	151,578	142,946
Retainage	24,312	21,360
Inventories	20,966	16,923
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings	31,446	13,438
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8,144	8,795
Total current assets	262,693	231,752
Property and equipment, net	25,364	24,643
Goodwill	50,702	46,693
Intangible assets, net	30,590	31,413
Deferred tax assets	46,580	86,211
Other non-current assets	6,065	3,782
Total assets	421,994	424,494
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	130,591	120,710
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings	33,826	29,918
Total current liabilities	164,417	150,628
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	29,564	29,434
Other non-current liabilities	4,374	4,457
Total liabilities	198,355	184,519
Noncontrolling interest	3,232	3,271
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 22,049,529 shares issued and 21,205,536 and 21,336,975 outstanding, respectively	220	220
Treasury stock, at cost, 843,993 and 712,554 shares, respectively	(8,937)	(6,898)
Additional paid-in capital	196,810	196,955
Retained earnings	32,314	46,427
Total stockholders' equity	220,407	236,704
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 421,994	$ 424,494

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	22,049,529	22,049,529
Common stock, shares outstanding	21,205,536	21,336,975
Treasury stock, shares	843,993	712,554

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 876,828	$ 810,744	$ 695,993
Cost of services	726,866	670,246	569,013
Gross profit	149,962	140,498	126,980
Selling, general and administrative expenses	123,920	120,370	100,558
Contingent consideration	103	(145)	652
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(15)	(69)	810
Operating income	25,954	20,342	24,960
Interest and other (income) expense:
Interest expense	1,946	1,702	1,282
Other (income) expense, net	(340)	(165)	(83)
Income from operations before income taxes	24,348	18,805	23,761
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	38,151	5,211	(97,117)
Net income (loss)	(13,803)	13,594	120,878
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	354	172	100
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	$ (14,157)	$ 13,422	$ 120,778
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.:
Basic	$ (0.67)	$ 0.62	$ 5.63
Diluted	$ (0.67)	$ 0.62	$ 5.62
Shares used in the computation of income (loss) per share:
Basic	21,196,388	21,280,549	21,279,342
Diluted	21,196,388	21,533,254	21,492,339

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 101,414,000	$ 220,000	$ (4,401,000)	$ 193,628,000	$ (88,033,000)
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2015		22,049,529	(573,788)
Grants under compensation plans			$ 44,000	(44,000)
Grants under compensation plans, shares			5,670
Acquisition of treasury stock	(590,000)		$ (685,000)	95,000
Acquisition of treasury stock, shares			(59,872)
Stock forfeitures			$ (72,000)	72,000
Stock forfeitures, shares			(7,500)
Options exercised	$ 220,000		$ 333,000	(113,000)
Options exercised, shares	42,500		42,500
Non-cash compensation	$ 1,583,000			1,583,000
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	120,778,000				120,778,000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	223,405,000	$ 220,000	$ (4,781,000)	195,221,000	32,745,000
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2016		22,049,529	(592,990)
Grants under compensation plans			$ 15,000	(15,000)
Grants under compensation plans, shares			1,803
Acquisition of treasury stock	(2,367,000)		$ (2,367,000)
Acquisition of treasury stock, shares			(152,860)
Stock forfeitures			$ (40,000)	40,000
Stock forfeitures, shares			(2,257)
Options exercised	$ 218,000		$ 275,000	(57,000)
Options exercised, shares	33,750		33,750
Non-cash compensation	$ 1,707,000			1,707,000
(Increase) decrease in noncontrolling interest	(44,000)				(44,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	13,422,000				13,422,000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2017	236,704,000	$ 220,000	$ (6,898,000)	196,955,000	46,427,000
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2017		22,049,529	(712,554)
Cumulative effect of ASU 2016-09	363,000			59,000	304,000
Grants under compensation plans			$ 5,000	(5,000)
Grants under compensation plans, shares			520
Acquisition of treasury stock	(2,059,000)		$ (2,059,000)
Acquisition of treasury stock, shares			(133,459)
Options exercised	$ 11,000		$ 15,000	(4,000)
Options exercised, shares	1,500		1,500
Non-cash compensation	$ (136,000)			(136,000)
(Increase) decrease in noncontrolling interest	44,000				44,000
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	(14,157,000)				(14,157,000)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 220,407,000	$ 220,000	$ (8,937,000)	196,810,000	$ 32,314,000
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2018		22,049,529	(843,993)
Cumulative effect of ASU 2016-09				$ 59,000

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ (13,803)	$ 13,594	$ 120,878
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Bad debt expense	421	296	360
Deferred financing cost amortization	288	294	345
Depreciation and amortization	8,860	9,634	5,664
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	(15)	(69)	810
Non-cash compensation expense	(136)	1,707	1,583
Deferred income taxes	38,151	6,899	(98,402)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable	(7,574)	(7,621)	(22,439)
Inventories	(3,970)	(1,856)	3,897
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings	(17,840)	2,571	(3,236)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(2,250)	(6,798)	(1,716)
Other non-current assets	274	(510)	(1,500)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	6,584	(2,829)	19,676
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings	3,570	5,898	(936)
Other non-current liabilities	(336)	1,139	(16)
Net cash provided by operating activities	12,224	22,349	24,968
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment	(4,563)	(4,589)	(3,417)
Proceeds from sales of assets	108	270	2,225
Cash paid in conjunction with business combinations	(7,406)	(20,213)	(59,544)
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,861)	(24,532)	(60,736)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings of debt	168	5,434	20,289
Repayments of debt	(177)	(5,432)	(290)
Contingent consideration payment	0	(448)	0
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(349)	(153)	0
Purchase of treasury stock	(2,059)	(2,367)	(590)
Issuance of shares	11	218	220
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(2,406)	(2,748)	19,629
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(2,043)	(4,931)	(16,139)
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	1,684	1,521	1,009
Cash paid for income taxes (net)	$ 2,839	$ 2,429	$ 1,415

Business	12 Months Ended
Business	Sep. 30, 2018
Business [Abstract]
Description of the Business	1. BUSINESS Description of the Business IES Holdings, Inc. is a holding company that owns and manages operating subsidiaries in business activities across a variety of end-markets. Our operations are currently organized into four principal business segments, based upon the nature of our current services: Commercial & Industrial – Provider of electrical and mechanical design, construction, and maintenance services to the commercial and industrial markets in various regional markets and nationwide in certain areas of expertise, such as the power infrastructure market. Communications – Nationwide provider of technology infrastructure products and services to large corporations and independent businesses. Infrastructure Solutions – Provider of electro-mechanical solutions for industrial operations, including apparatus repair and custom-engineered products. Residential – Regional provider of electrical installation services for single-family housing and multi-family apartment complexes. The words “IES”, the “Company”, “we”, “our”, and “us” refer to IES Holdings, Inc. and, except as otherwise specified herein, to our consolidated subsidiaries. Controlling Shareholder At September 30, 2018, Tontine Associates, L.L.C. and its affiliates (collectively, “Tontine”), was the controlling shareholder of the Company’s common stock. Accordingly, Tontine has the ability to exercise significant control over our affairs, including the election of directors and most actions requiring the approval of shareholders, including the approval of any potential merger or sale of all or substantially all assets or segments of the Company, or the Company itself. For a more complete discussion on our relationship with Tontine, please refer to Note 3, “Controlling Shareholder” in the notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of IES Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Asset Impairment

During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded no asset impairment charges.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires the use of estimates and assumptions by management in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are primarily used in our revenue recognition of construction in progress, fair value assumptions in accounting for business combinations and analyzing goodwill, investments, intangible assets and long-lived asset impairments and adjustments, allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, stock-based compensation, reserves for legal matters, realizability of deferred tax assets, unrecognized tax benefits and self-insured claims liabilities and related reserves.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Inventories

Inventories consist of raw materials, work in process, finished goods, and parts and supplies held for use in the ordinary course of business. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value generally using the historical average cost or first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. When circumstances dictate, we write down inventory to its estimated net realizable value based on assumptions about future demand, market conditions, plans for disposal, and physical condition of the product. Where shipping and handling costs on inventory purchases are borne by us, these charges are included in inventory and charged to cost of services upon use in our projects or the providing of services.

Securities and Equity Investments

Our investments in entities where we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for using the cost method of accounting. Each period, we evaluate whether an event or change in circumstances has occurred that may indicate an investment has been impaired. If, upon further investigation of such events, we determine the investment has suffered a decline in value that is other than temporary, we write down the investment to its estimated fair value.

Property and Equipment

Additions of property and equipment are recorded at cost, and depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and depreciated over the lesser of the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset.

Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments, which extend the useful lives of existing property and equipment, are capitalized and depreciated. Upon retirement or disposition of property and equipment, the capitalized cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in the statements of comprehensive income in the caption (gain) loss on sale of assets.

Goodwill

Goodwill attributable to each reporting unit is tested for impairment either by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value or by a qualitative assessment. These impairment tests are required to be performed at least annually. On an ongoing basis (absent any impairment indicators), we perform an impairment test annually using a measurement date of September 30. In evaluating goodwill for impairment, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value. If we determine that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit is greater than its fair value, then we perform an impairment test by calculating the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing this calculated fair value with the carrying value of the reporting unit.

We estimate the fair value of the reporting unit based on both a market approach and an income approach, using discounted estimated future cash flows. The market approach uses market multiples of enterprise value to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for comparable publicly traded companies. The income approach relies on significant estimates for future cash flows, projected long-term growth rates, and the weighted average cost of capital.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives based on expected economic benefit with no residual value.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs are included as a reduction of our debt outstanding, and are amortized to interest expense over the scheduled maturity of the debt. Amortization expense of debt issuance costs was $288, $294 and $345, respectively, for the years ended 2018, 2017 and 2016. Remaining unamortized capitalized debt issuance costs were $912 and $1,115 at September 30, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is generally recognized once the following four criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery of the product has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the price of the product or service is fixed and determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. Costs associated with these services are recognized within the period they are incurred.

We recognize revenue on project contracts using the percentage of completion method. Project contracts generally provide that customers accept completion of progress to date and compensate us for services rendered measured in terms of units installed, hours expended or some other measure of progress. We recognize revenue on both signed contracts and change orders. A discussion of our treatment of claims and unapproved change orders is described later in this section. Percentage of completion for construction contracts is measured principally by the percentage of costs incurred and accrued to date for each contract to the estimated total cost for each contract at completion. We generally consider contracts to be substantially complete upon departure from the work site and acceptance by the customer. Contract costs include all direct material, labor and insurance costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools, repairs and depreciation costs. Changes in job performance, job conditions, estimated contract costs and profitability and final contract settlements may result in revisions to costs and income and the effects of these revisions are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Provisions for total estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. The balances billed but not paid by customers pursuant to retainage provisions in project contracts are typically due upon completion of the contracts and acceptance by the customer. Based on our experience, the retention balance at each balance sheet date will be collected within the subsequent fiscal year.

Certain divisions in the Residential and Infrastructure Solutions segments use the completed contract method of accounting because the duration of their contracts are short in nature. We recognize revenue on completed contracts when the project is complete and billable to the customer. Provisions for estimated losses on these contracts are recorded in the period such losses are determined.

The current asset “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings” represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed which management believes will generally be billed and collected within the next twelve months. Also included in this asset, from time to time, are claims and unapproved change orders which are amounts we are in the process of collecting from our customers or agencies for changes in contract specifications or design, contract change orders in dispute or unapproved as to scope and price, or other related causes of unanticipated additional contract costs. Claims are limited to costs incurred and are recorded at estimated realizable value when collection is probable and can be reasonably estimated. We do not recognize profits on project costs incurred in connection with claims. Claims made by us involve negotiation and, in certain cases, litigation. Such litigation costs are expensed as incurred. As of September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, there were no material revenues recorded associated with any outstanding claims or unapproved change orders. The current liability “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings” represents billings in excess of revenues recognized. Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings are amounts considered recoverable from customers based on different measures of performance, including achievement of specific milestones or completion of specified units designated within the contract.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We record accounts receivable for all amounts billed and not collected. Generally, we do not charge interest on outstanding accounts receivable; however, from time to time we may believe it necessary to charge interest on a case by case basis. Additionally, we provide an allowance for doubtful accounts for specific accounts receivable where collection is considered doubtful as well as for general unknown collection issues based on historical trends. Accounts receivable not determined to be collectible are written off as deemed necessary in the period such determination is made. As is common in our industry, some of these receivables are in litigation or require us to exercise our contractual lien rights in order to collect. These receivables are primarily associated with a few branches within our Commercial & Industrial segment. Certain other receivables are slow-pay in nature and require us to exercise our contractual or lien rights. Our allowance for doubtful accounts at September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $868 and $650, respectively. We believe that our allowance for doubtful accounts is sufficient to cover uncollectible receivables as of September 30, 2018.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by and distributions to stockholders.

Income Taxes

We follow the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future income tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws.

We regularly evaluate valuation allowances established for deferred tax assets for which future realization is uncertain. We perform this evaluation on a quarterly basis. The estimation of required valuation allowances includes estimates of future taxable income. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets at September 30, 2018, we concluded, based upon the assessment of positive and negative evidence, that it is more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income within the applicable NOL carryforward periods to realize its net deferred tax assets of $46,580. We considered the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. If actual future taxable income is different from these estimates, our results could be affected.

In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was enacted, which, among other changes, reduced the federal statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. As a result of this change, the Company’s statutory tax rate for fiscal 2018 will be a blended rate of 24.53% and will decrease to 21% thereafter. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2018, our effective tax rate differed from the statutory tax rate as a result of a charge of $31,333 to re-measure our deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect the estimated impact of the new statutory tax rate, slightly offset by a benefit of $1,908 related to the reversal of an uncertain tax position. This benefit differs from the expected recognition of $3,284 as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017, as a result of the decrease in the statutory tax rate.

On May 12, 2006, we had a change in ownership as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 382. Internal Revenue Code Section 382 limits the utilization of net operating losses that existed as of the change in ownership in tax periods subsequent to the change in ownership. As such, our utilization after the change date of net operating losses in existence as of the change in ownership is subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 382 limitations for federal income taxes and some state income taxes.

Risk Management

The undiscounted ultimate losses of our workers’ compensation, auto and general liability insurance reserves at September 30, 2018, and 2017, was $5,286 and $5,306, respectively. Based on historical payment patterns, we expect payments of undiscounted ultimate losses to be made as follows:

Year Ended September 30:
	2019	$	1,748
	2020		1,144
	2021		746
	2022		429
	2023		216
	Thereafter		1,003
Total		$	5,286

We elect to discount the ultimate losses above to present value using an approximate risk-free rate over the average life of our insurance claims. For the years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the discount rate used was 2.9 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively. The present value of all insurance reserves for the employee group health claims, workers’ compensation, auto and general liability recorded at September 30, 2018, and 2017 was $6,202 and $6,204, respectively. Our employee group health claims are anticipated to be resolved within the year ended September 30, 2019.

We had letters of credit totaling $6,101 outstanding at September 30, 2018 to collateralize certain of our high deductible insurance obligations.

Realization of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate the recoverability of property and equipment and other long-lived assets as facts and circumstances indicate that any of those assets might be impaired. If an evaluation is required for our assets we plan to hold and use, the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset are compared to the asset’s carrying amount to determine if an impairment of such property has occurred. The effect of any impairment would be to expense the difference between the fair value of such property and its carrying value. Estimated fair values are determined based on expected future cash flows discounted at a rate we believe incorporates the time value of money, the expectations about future cash flows and an appropriate risk premium.

For the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, no indicators of impairments were identified, and no impairment charges were recorded.

Risk Concentration

Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits and accounts receivable. Through delayed payment terms, we at times grant credit, usually without collateral, to our customers, who are generally large public companies, contractors and homebuilders throughout the United States. Consequently, we are subject to potential credit risk related to changes in business and economic factors throughout the United States, specifically, within the construction, homebuilding and mission critical facility markets. However, we are entitled to payment for work performed and generally have certain lien rights in that work. Further, management believes that its contract acceptance, billing and collection policies are adequate to manage potential credit risk. We routinely maintain cash balances in financial institutions in excess of federally insured limits. We periodically assess the financial condition of these institutions where these funds are held and believe the credit risk is minimal. We maintain the majority of our cash and cash equivalents in money market mutual funds. There can be no assurance, however, that we will not be adversely affected by credit risks we face.

No single customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenues for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, investments, accounts payable, and a loan agreement. We believe that the carrying value of financial instruments, with the exception of our cost method investment in EnerTech Capital Partners II L.P. (“Enertech”), a private investment fund classified as other non-current assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, approximates their fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying value of our debt approximates fair value, as debt incurs interest at a variable rate.

We estimate the fair value of our investment in EnerTech (Level 3) using quoted market prices for underlying publicly traded securities, and estimated enterprise values determined using cash flow projections and market multiples of the underlying non-public companies. For additional information, please refer to Note 6, “Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts – Securities and Equity Investments.”

Stock-Based Compensation

We measure and record compensation expense for all share-based payment awards based on the fair value of the awards granted at the date of grant. The fair value of restricted stock awards and phantom stock unit awards is determined based on the number of shares granted and the closing price of IES’s common stock on the date of grant. For awards vesting upon achievement of a market condition, the likelihood of achieving that market condition is considered in determining the fair value of the grant, which we expense ratably over the vesting period. For awards vesting upon achievement of a performance condition, we record expense based on the grant date fair value when it becomes probable the performance condition will be achieved. Forfeitures are recorded in the period in which they occur. The resulting compensation expense from discretionary awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period.

Deferred Compensation Plans

The Company maintains a rabbi trust to fund certain deferred compensation plans. The securities held by the trust are classified as trading securities. The investments are recorded at fair value and are classified as other non-current assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2018, and 2017. The changes in fair values are recorded as a component of other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

The corresponding deferred compensation liability is included in other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and changes in this obligation are recognized as adjustments to compensation expense in the period in which they are determined.

Noncontrolling Interest

In connection with our acquisitions of STR Mechanical, LLC (“STR Mechanical”) in fiscal 2016 and NEXT Electric, LLC (“NEXT Electric”) in fiscal 2017, we acquired 80 percent interests in these entities, and the remaining 20 percent was retained by the third party sellers. The interests retained by those third party sellers are identified on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as noncontrolling interest, classified outside of permanent equity. Under the terms of the operating agreements governing these entities, after five years from the dates of the acquisitions, we may elect to purchase, or the third party sellers may require us to purchase, part of all of the remaining 20 percent interests in these entities. The purchase price is variable, based on a multiple of earnings as defined in the operating agreements. Therefore, this noncontrolling interest is carried at the greater of the balance determined under ASC 810 and the redemption amounts assuming the noncontrolling interests were redeemable at the balance sheet date. If all of these interests had been redeemable at September 30, 2018, the redemption amount would have been $2,579. See Note 18, “Business Combinations and Divestitures” for further discussion. For the year ended September 30, 2018, we recorded an increase to retained earnings of $44 to offset an increase to noncontrolling interest recorded in fiscal 2017, decreasing the carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest in STR to the balance determined under ASC 810, as if it had been redeemable at September 30, 2018, as the redemption amount would have been less than the carrying amount.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard which will supersede previous existing revenue recognition guidance. The standard creates a five-step model for revenue recognition that requires companies to exercise judgment when considering contract terms and relevant facts and circumstances. The standard also requires expanded disclosures surrounding revenue recognition. The effective date will be the first quarter of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. The standard allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption, and we plan to use the modified retrospective basis on the adoption date. Under the new standard, we have identified a limited number of arrangements that will no longer qualify for percentage of completion accounting, and revenue will be recognized on a completed contract basis. We do not expect that this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-01”). This standard is associated with the recognition and measurement of financial assets and liabilities, with further clarifications made in February 2018 with the issuance of ASU 2018-03. The amended guidance requires certain equity investments that are not consolidated and not accounted for under the equity method to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income rather than as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). It further states that an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values using a quantitative approach, or measurement alternative, which is equal to its cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. This update is effective for annual financial reporting periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, although early adoption is permitted.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). Under ASU 2016-02, lessees will need to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all of their leases, other than those that meet the definition of a short-term lease. For income statement purposes, leases must be classified as either operating or finance. Operating leases will result in straight-line expense, similar to current operating leases, while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern, similar to current capital leases. ASU 2016-02 becomes effective for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. We are currently evaluating the expected impact it will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations. This standard clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluation of whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The new standard is effective for annual financial reporting periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The prospective transition method will be required for this new guidance.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (“ASU 2017-09”), to reduce the diversity in practice and the cost and complexity when changing the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. This update is effective for annual financial reporting periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, although early adoption is permitted. The prospective transition method will be required for this new guidance.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation—Stock Compensation, to simplify the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees by aligning it with the accounting for share-based payments for employees, with certain exceptions. Under the new guidance, the cost for nonemployee awards may be lower and less volatile than under current US GAAP because the measurement generally will occur earlier and will be fixed at the grant date. This update is effective for annual financial reporting periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018, although early adoption is permitted.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement Disclosure Framework, to modify certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Under the new guidance, registrants will need to disclose weighted average information for significant unobservable inputs for all Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance does not specify how entities should calculate the weighted average, but requires them to explain their calculation. The new guidance also requires disclosing the changes in unrealized gain and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of instruments held at the end of the reporting period. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods within those fiscal years, although early adoption is permitted for either the entire standard or only the provisions that eliminate or modify the requirements.

We do not expect ASU 2016-01, ASU 2017-01 ASU 2017-09, ASU 2018-07, or 2018-13 to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Controlling Shareholder	12 Months Ended
Controlling Shareholder	Sep. 30, 2018
Controlling Shareholder [Abstract]
Controlling Shareholder	3. CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDER At September 30, 2018, Tontine was the controlling shareholder, owning approximately 59 percent of the Company’s outstanding common stock according to a Form 4 filed with the SEC by Tontine on October 3, 2018. Accordingly, Tontine has the ability to exercise significant control over our affairs, including the election of directors and most actions requiring the approval of shareholders. While Tontine is subject to restrictions under federal securities laws on sales of its shares as an affiliate, the Company has filed a shelf registration statement to register all of the shares of IES common stock owned by Tontine at the time of registration. As long as the shelf registration statement remains effective and the Company remains eligible to use it, Tontine has the ability to resell any or all of its registered shares from time to time in one or more offerings, as described in the shelf registration statement and in any prospectus supplement filed in connection with an offering pursuant to the shelf registration statement. Should Tontine sell or otherwise dispose of all or a portion of its position in IES, a change in ownership of IES could occur. A change in ownership, as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 382, could reduce the availability of the Company’s net operating losses (“NOLs”) for federal and state income tax purposes. On November 8, 2016, the Company implemented a new tax benefit protection plan (the “NOL Rights Plan”). The NOL Rights Plan was designed to deter an acquisition of the Company’s stock in excess of a threshold amount that could trigger a change of control within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 382. There can be no assurance that the NOL Rights Plan will be effective in deterring a change of ownership or protecting the NOLs. Furthermore, a change in control would trigger the change of control provisions in a number of our material agreements, including our credit facility, bonding agreements with our sureties and our severance arrangements. Jeffrey L. Gendell was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors and as non-executive Chairman of the Board in November 2016. He is the managing member and founder of Tontine, and the brother of David B. Gendell, who has served as a member of the Board of Directors since February 2012 and as Interim Director of Operations of the Company since November 2017, and who previously served as non-executive Vice Chairman of the Board from November 2016 to November 2017 and as non-executive Chairman of the Board from January 2015 to November 2016. David B. Gendell was an employee of Tontine from 2004 until December 31, 2017. The Company is party to a sublease agreement with Tontine Associates, LLC, an affiliate of Tontine, for corporate office space in Greenwich, Connecticut. The lease was renewed for a three-year term in April 2016 with an increase in the monthly rent to $8, reflecting the increase paid by Tontine Associates, LLC to its landlord and the Company’s increased use of the corporate office space. The lease has terms at market rates and payments by the Company are at a rate consistent with that paid by Tontine Associates, LLC to its landlord. On December 6, 2018, the Company entered into a Board Observer Letter Agreement with Tontine Associates, L.L.C. in order to assist Tontine in managing its investment in the Company. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement, the Company granted Tontine the right, at any time that Tontine holds at least 20% of the outstanding common stock of the Company, to appoint a representative to serve as an observer to the Board (the “Board Observer”). The Board Observer, who shall serve at the discretion of and must be reasonably acceptable to those members of the Board who are not affiliates of Tontine, shall have no voting rights or other decision making authority. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement, so long as Tontine has the right to appoint a Board Observer, the Board Observer will have the right to attend and participate in meetings of the Board and the committees thereof, subject to confidentiality requirements, and to receive reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in his or her capacity as a Board Observer and such rights to coverage under the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy as are available to other directors.

Property And Equipment

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Property And Equipment [Abstract]

Property And Equipment

4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consists of the following:

	Estimated
	Useful Lives	Year Ended September 30,
	in Years	2018		2017
Land	N/A	$	1,348	$	1,076
Buildings and Improvements	5-20		12,479		11,675
Machinery and equipment	3-10		27,443		23,190
Information systems⁽¹⁾	2-8		7,854		14,318
Furniture and fixtures	5-7		1,579		1,693
		$	50,703	$	51,952
Less-Accumulated depreciation			(25,613)		(27,862)
Construction in progress			274		553
Property and equipment, net		$	25,364	$	24,643

⁽¹⁾ During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, we retired $6,651 in fully depreciated assets.

Depreciation expense was $4,759, $3,840 and $2,727, respectively, for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Per Share Information

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Per Share Information [Abstract]

Per Share Information

5. PER SHARE INFORMATION

Basic earnings per share is calculated as income (loss) available to common stockholders, divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. If the effect is dilutive, participating securities are included in the computation of basic earnings per share. Our participating securities do not have a contractual obligation to share in the losses in any given period. As a result, these participating securities will not be allocated any losses in the periods of net losses, but will be allocated income in the periods of net income using the two-class method.

The following table reconciles the components of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016:

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2016
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of IES Holdings, Inc.	$	(14,113)	$	13,275	$	119,722
Increase (decrease) in noncontrolling interest		(44)		44		-
Net income attributable to restricted shareholders of IES Holdings, Inc.		-		103		1,056
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	$	(14,157)	$	13,422	$	120,778

Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic		21,196,388		21,280,549		21,279,342
Effect of dilutive stock options and non-vested restricted stock		-		252,705		212,997
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding — diluted		21,196,388		21,533,254		21,492,339

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.:
Basic	$	(0.67)	$	0.62	$	5.63
Diluted	$	(0.67)	$	0.62	$	5.62

When an entity has a net loss, it is prohibited from including potential common shares in the computation of diluted per share amounts. Accordingly, we have utilized basic shares outstanding to calculate both basic and diluted loss per share for the year ended September 30, 2018. The number of potential anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation was 301,879 shares for the year ended September 30, 2018. For the years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the average price of our common shares exceeded the exercise price of all of our outstanding options; therefore, all of our outstanding stock options were included in the computation of fully diluted earnings per share.

Detail Of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Detail Of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts [Abstract]

Detail Of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts

6. DETAIL OF CERTAIN BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS

Activity in our allowance for doubtful accounts on accounts receivable consists of the following:

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017
Balance at beginning of period	$	650	$	736
Additions to costs and expenses		515		294
Deductions for uncollectible receivables written off, net of recoveries		(297)		(380)
Balance at end of period	$	868	$	650

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017
Accounts payable, trade	$	75,293	$	63,246
Accrued compensation and benefits		34,058		33,561
Accrued insurance liabilities		6,202		6,204
Other accrued expenses		15,038		17,699
	$	130,591	$	120,710

Contracts in progress are as follows:

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017
Costs incurred on contracts in progress	$	476,609	$	486,950
Estimated earnings		62,617		55,606
		539,226		542,556
Less--Billings to date		(541,606)		(559,036)
Net contracts in progress	$	(2,380)	$	(16,480)
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings		31,446		13,438
Less--Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings		(33,826)		(29,918)
Net contracts in progress	$	(2,380)	$	(16,480)

Other non-current assets are comprised of the following:

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017
Executive Savings Plan assets		747		641
Securities and equity investments		558		558
Other		4,760		2,583
Total	$	6,065	$	3,782

Securities and Equity Investments

At September 30, 2018, and 2017, we held an investment in EnerTech, a private investment fund. As our investment was 2.21% of the overall ownership in EnerTech at September 30, 2018, and 2017, we account for this investment using the cost method of accounting. EnerTech’s investment portfolio from time to time results in unrealized losses reflecting a possible, other-than-temporary, impairment of our investment. The carrying value of our investment in EnerTech at both September 30, 2018, and 2017 was $558.

The following table presents the reconciliation of the carrying value and unrealized gains to the fair value of the investment in EnerTech as of September 30, 2018, and 2017:

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017
Carrying value	$	558	$	558
Unrealized gains		224		171
Fair value	$	782	$	729

At each reporting date, the Company performs an evaluation of impairment for securities to determine if any unrealized losses are other-than-temporary. For equity securities, this evaluation considers a number of factors including, but not limited to, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer and management’s ability and intent to hold the securities until fair value recovers. The assessment of the ability and intent to hold these securities to recovery focuses on liquidity needs, asset and liability management objectives and securities portfolio objectives. Based on the results of this evaluation, we believe the unrealized gain at September 30, 2018 indicated our investment was not impaired.

Debt

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Debt [Abstract]

Debt

7. DEBT

Debt consists of the following:

		Year Ended September 30,
		2018		2017
Revolving loan (long-term debt)			$30,247		$30,257
Debt issuance costs			(912)		(1,115)
Other long-term debt			229		292
	Total debt	$	29,564	$	29,434

At September 30, 2018, we had $48,144 available to us under our revolving credit facility, $6,609 in outstanding letters of credit with Wells Fargo and $30,247 outstanding borrowings on our term loan facility under our revolving credit facility (our “revolving loan”). All amounts outstanding under our Revolving Loan are due and payable in 2021, upon expiration of our revolving credit facility, and all amounts described as available are available without triggering our financial covenant under the credit facility.

Our weighted-average annual interest rate on these borrowings was 3.86% at September 30, 2018, and 3.04% at September 30, 2017. For the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we incurred interest expense of $1,946, $1,702 and $1,282, respectively.

The Revolving Credit Facility

We maintain a $100,000 revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., that matures in August 2021 (as amended, the “Credit Facility”), pursuant to a Second Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., which was further amended on July 14, 2017, August 2, 2017, and July 23, 2018 (as amended, the “Amended Credit Agreement”).

Pursuant to the July 23, 2018 amendment, we are required to comply with the minimum EBITDA financial covenant of the Credit Agreement in a given quarter only if our Excess Availability (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) in the immediately following quarter, as tested monthly during that quarter, falls below $30,000. If, in a subsequent quarter, Excess Availability levels return to or exceed the contractual threshold, then the Company will no longer be required to comply with the minimum EBITDA financial covenant, so long as Excess Availability remains above threshold.

Terms of the Amended Credit Agreement

The Credit Facility contains other customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants, as well as events of default.

As of September 30, 2018, we were in compliance with the financial covenants under the Amended Credit Agreement, requiring that we maintain:

• a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis at the end of each quarter, of at least 1.1 to 1.0; and

• minimum Liquidity (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) of at least thirty percent (30%) of the Maximum Revolver Amount (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), or $30,000; with, for purposes of this covenant, at least fifty percent (50%) of our Liquidity comprised of Excess Availability (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement).

At September 30, 2018, our Liquidity was $74,391 and our Excess Availability was $48,144 (or greater than 50% of minimum Liquidity), our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio was 7.9:1.0. As our Excess Availability at September 30, 2018, exceeded $30,000, we were not required to meet the minimum EBITDA financial covenant of $35,000 for the four quarters ended September 30, 2018. However, our EBITDA, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement for the four quarters ended September 30, 2018 was $36,964.

Our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is calculated as follows (with capitalized terms as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement): (i) our trailing twelve month EBITDA, less non-financed capital expenditures (other than capital expenditures financed by means of an advance under the credit facility), cash taxes and all Restricted Junior Payments consisting of certain pass-through tax liabilities, divided by (ii) the sum of our cash interest (other than interest paid-in-kind, amortization of financing fees, and other non-cash interest expense) and principal debt payments (other than repayment of principal on advances under the credit facility and including cash payments with respect to capital leases), any management, consulting, monitoring, and advisory fees paid to an affiliate, and all Restricted Junior Payments (other than pass-through tax liabilities) and other cash distributions; provided, that if any acquisition is consented to by lender after the date of the Amended Credit Agreement, the components of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated for such fiscal period after giving pro forma effect to the acquisition assuming that such transaction has occurred on the first day of such period (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are directly attributable to such acquisition, are factually supportable, and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case to be reasonably agreed to by the lender).

As defined in the Amended Credit Agreement, EBITDA is calculated as consolidated net income (or loss), less extraordinary gains, interest income, non-operating income and income tax benefits and decreases in any change in LIFO reserves, plus stock compensation expense, non-cash extraordinary losses (including, but not limited to, a non-cash impairment charge or write-down), interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, increases in any change in LIFO reserves and losses from the wind-down of our Denver and Roanoke branches, up to a maximum exclusion of $5,000 for a given measurement period, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that if any acquisition is consented to by lender after the date of the Amended Credit Agreement, EBITDA for such fiscal period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to the acquisition assuming that such transaction has occurred on the first day of such period (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are directly attributable to such acquisition, are factually supportable, and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case to be reasonably agreed to by Lender).

If in the future our Liquidity falls below $30,000 (or Excess Availability falls below 50% of our minimum Liquidity), our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is less than 1.1:1.0, we fail to meet our minimum EBITDA requirement, or if we otherwise fail to perform or otherwise comply with certain of our covenants or other agreements under the Amended Credit Agreement, it would result in an event of default under the Amended Credit Agreement, which could result in some or all of our indebtedness becoming immediately due and payable.

At September 30, 2018, the carrying value of amounts outstanding on our revolving credit facility approximated fair value, as debt incurs interest at a variable rate. The fair value of the debt is classified as a Level 2 measurement.

Leases

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

8. LEASES

We enter into operating leases for many of our facilities, vehicle and equipment needs. These leases allow us to retain cash, and we pay a monthly lease rental fee. At the end of the lease, we have no further obligation to the lessor. We may cancel or terminate a lease before the end of its term. Typically, we would be liable to the lessor for various lease cancellation or termination costs and the difference between the fair market value of the leased asset and the implied book value of the leased asset as calculated in accordance with the lease agreement.

For a discussion of leases with certain related parties which are included below, see Note 12 “Related-Party Transactions.”

Rent expense was $7,680, $6,990 and $5,868 for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments under these non-cancelable operating leases that had commenced as of September 30, 2018 with terms in excess of one year are as follows:

Year Ended September 30:
2019	$	9,460
2020		7,437
2021		4,925
2022		3,317
2023		1,805
Thereafter		3,229
Total	$	30,173

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

9. INCOME TAXES

Federal and state income tax provisions are as follows:

		Year Ended September 30,
		2018		2017		2016
Federal:
	Current	$	(2,345)	$	(3,092)	$	762
	Deferred		38,744		6,384		(97,093)
State:
	Current		1,536		1,432		952
	Deferred		216		487		(1,738)
	Total provision for income taxes	$	38,151	$	5,211	$	(97,117)

Actual income tax expense differs from income tax expense computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory corporate rate to income (loss) before income taxes as follows:

		Year Ended September 30,
		2018		2017		2016
Provision at the statutory rate ⁽¹⁾		$	5,973	$	6,582	$	8,316
Increase resulting from:
	Non-deductible expenses		1,003		966		1,557
	State income taxes, net of federal deduction		1,193		1,003		1,105
	Change in valuation allowance		1,761		142		-
	Rate change		31,333		-		-
	Other		183		17		-
Decrease resulting from:
	Change in valuation allowance		-		-		(108,987)
	Contingent tax liabilities		(1,908)		(3,499)		(96)
	State deferred true up		(1,387)		-		-
	Other		-		-		988
	Total provision for income taxes	$	38,151	$	5,211	$	(97,117)

	(1) A statutory rate of 24.53% was used in 2018 and 35% in both 2017 and 2016. The lower effective tax rate used in 2018 is related to the enactment of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017.

Deferred income tax provisions result from temporary differences in the recognition of income and expenses for financial reporting purposes and for income tax purposes. The income tax effects of these temporary differences, representing deferred income tax assets and liabilities, result principally from the following:

		Year Ended September 30,
		2018		2017
Deferred income tax assets:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	207	$	243
	Accrued expenses		8,054		12,915
	Net operating loss carryforward		46,881		77,497
	Various reserves		1,172		1,807
	Equity losses in affiliate		119		82
	Share-based compensation		665		1,570
	Capital loss carryforward		94		337
	Other		712		3,195
Subtotal			57,904		97,646
Less valuation allowance			4,127		2,366
Total deferred income tax assets		$	53,777	$	95,280
Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	$	1,122	$	2,019
	Intangible assets		5,499		6,548
	Other		576		502
Total deferred income tax liabilities			7,197		9,069
Net deferred income tax assets		$	46,580	$	86,211

In fiscal 2018 and 2017, the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets increased by $1,761 and $142, respectively, which is included in “Provision (benefits) for income taxes” in our Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statement.

In 2002, we adopted a tax accounting method change that allowed us to deduct goodwill for income tax purposes that had previously been classified as non-deductible. The accounting method change resulted in additional amortizable tax basis in goodwill. We believe the realization of the additional tax basis in goodwill is not more likely than not and have not recorded a deferred tax asset. Although a deferred tax asset has not been recorded through September 30, 2018, we have derived a cumulative cash tax reduction of $11,487 from the change in tax accounting method and the subsequent amortization of the additional tax goodwill. We have a tax basis of $1,448 in additional tax goodwill from current year acquisitions.

As of September 30, 2018, we had available approximately $355,302 of federal net tax operating loss carry forward for federal income tax purposes, of which $133,291 resulting from the additional amortization of tax goodwill has not been recorded as a deferred tax asset. This carry forward, which may provide future tax benefits, will begin to expire in 2026. On May 12, 2006, we had a change in ownership as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 382. As such, our utilization after the change in control date of our net operating loss in existence as of the change of control date was subject to Section 382 limitations for federal income taxes and some state income taxes. The annual limitation under Section 382 on the utilization of federal net operating losses was approximately $20,000 for the first five tax years subsequent to the change in ownership and $16,000 thereafter. Approximately $300,400 of federal net operating losses will not be subject to this limitation. Also, after applying the Section 382 limitation to available state net operating loss carry forwards, we had available approximately $100,772 state net tax operating loss carry forwards, including $8,806 resulting from the additional amortization of tax goodwill which begins to expire as of September 30, 2019. We have provided valuation allowances on all net operating losses where it is determined it is more likely than not that they will expire without being utilized.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets at September 30, 2018, we considered whether it was more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Our realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which these temporary differences become deductible. We believe that $4,247 and $696 of federal and state deferred tax assets, respectively, will be realized by offsetting reversing deferred tax liabilities. In addition, we have $681 of net state deferred tax assets that we expect will be realized, and therefore valuation allowances were not provided for these assets. As a result, we have recorded a net deferred tax asset of $46,580 on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We will continue to evaluate the appropriateness of our remaining deferred tax assets and need for valuation allowances on a quarterly basis. Further, any future reduction in the federal statutory tax rate could result in a charge to reduce the book value of the net deferred tax assets recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

As a result of the reorganization and related adjustment to the book basis in goodwill, we have tax basis in excess of book basis in amortizable goodwill of approximately $23,735. The tax basis in amortizable goodwill in excess of book basis is not reflected as a deferred tax asset. To the extent the amortization of the excess tax basis results in a cash tax benefit, the benefit will first go to reduce goodwill, then other long-term intangible assets, and then tax expense.

GAAP requires financial statement reporting of the expected future tax consequences of uncertain tax return reporting positions on the presumption that all relevant tax authorities possess full knowledge of those tax reporting positions, as well as all of the pertinent facts and circumstances, but it prohibits discounting of any of the related tax effects for the time value of money. The evaluation of a tax position is a two-step process. The first step is the recognition process to determine if it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority, based on the technical merits of the position. The second step is a measurement process whereby a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is calculated to determine the amount of benefit/expense to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit/expense that is more likely than not of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of unrecognized tax benefit is as follows:

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017
Balance at October 1,	$	51,968	$	55,867
Additions for position related to current year		13		207
Additions for positions of prior years		272		-
Reduction resulting from the lapse of the applicable statutes of limitations		3,361		3,707
Reduction resulting from rate change		18,636		-
Reduction resulting from positions of prior years		-		399
Reduction resulting from settlement of positions of prior years		-		-
Balance at September 30,	$	30,256	$	51,968

As of September 30, 2018, and 2017, $30,256 and $51,968, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits would result in a decrease in the provision for income tax expense, of which $28,453 and $50,180 for each of those years, respectively, relates to net operating loss from additional goodwill resulting from the tax accounting method change discussed above for which a deferred tax asset has not been recorded. We anticipate that approximately $5,754 in liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits, including accrued interest, may be reversed in the next twelve months. The reversal is predominately due to the expiration of the statutes of limitation for unrecognized tax benefits.

We had approximately $35 and $14 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at September 30, 2018, and 2017, respectively. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of the provision for income taxes.

We are currently under federal audit by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the year ended September 30, 2016. The tax years ended September 30, 2015, and forward are subject to federal audit as are tax years prior to September 30, 2015, to the extent of unutilized net operating losses generated in those years. The tax years ended September 30, 2014, and forward are subject to state audits as are tax years prior to September 30, 2014, to the extent of unutilized net operating losses generated in those years.

Operating Segments

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Operating Segments [Abstract]

OPERATING SEGMENTS

10. OPERATING SEGMENTS

We manage and measure performance of our business in four distinct operating segments: Commercial & Industrial, Communications, Infrastructure Solutions and Residential. These segments are reflective of how the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) reviews operating results for the purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance. The Company’s CODM is its President.

Transactions between segments, if any, are eliminated in consolidation. Our corporate office provides general and administrative, as well as support services, to our four operating segments. Management allocates certain shared costs between segments for selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation expense.

Segment information for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

		Year Ended September 30, 2018
			Commercial &				Infrastructure
			Industrial		Communications		Solutions		Residential		Corporate		Total
Revenues			$	274,299	$	219,655	$	97,163	$	285,711	$	-	$	876,828
Cost of services				244,656		179,518		75,337		227,355		-		726,866
Gross profit				29,643		40,137		21,826		58,356		-		149,962
Selling, general and administrative				27,031		26,003		18,293		41,401		11,192		123,920
Contingent consideration				(100)		(85)		288		-		-		103
Loss (gain) on sale of assets				(37)		(4)		18		8		-		(15)
Income (loss) from operations			$	2,749	$	14,223	$	3,227	$	16,947	$	(11,192)	$	25,954
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense		$	2,197	$	1,247	$	4,672	$	637	$	107	$	8,860
	Capital expenditures		$	2,216	$	647	$	735	$	932	$	33	$	4,563
	Total assets		$	89,729	$	80,528	$	109,506	$	55,176	$	87,055	$	421,994

		Year Ended September 30, 2017
			Commercial &				Infrastructure
			Industrial		Communications		Solutions		Residential		Corporate		Total
Revenues			$	227,606	$	225,275	$	83,824	$	274,039	$	-	$	810,744
Cost of services				208,619		187,419		63,399		210,809		-		670,246
Gross profit				18,987		37,856		20,425		63,230		-		140,498
Selling, general and administrative				20,170		24,219		17,859		43,689		14,433		120,370
Contingent consideration				-		-		(145)		-		-		(145)
Loss (gain) on sale of assets				(32)		(1)		(79)		43		-		(69)
Income (loss) from operations			$	(1,151)	$	13,638	$	2,790	$	19,498	$	(14,433)	$	20,342
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense		$	1,648	$	740	$	6,412	$	565	$	269	$	9,634
	Capital expenditures		$	1,241	$	2,046	$	538	$	561	$	203	$	4,589
	Total assets		$	84,756	$	63,917	$	106,114	$	51,994	$	117,713	$	424,494

		Year Ended September 30, 2016
			Commercial &				Infrastructure
			Industrial		Communications		Solutions		Residential		Corporate		Total
Revenues			$	222,466	$	189,635	$	58,003	$	225,889	$	-	$	695,993
Cost of services				197,679		157,104		42,356		171,874		-		569,013
Gross profit				24,787		32,531		15,647		54,015		-		126,980
Selling, general and administrative				17,169		20,839		12,404		37,585		12,561		100,558
	Contingent Consideration			-		-		652		-		-		652
Loss (gain) on sale of assets				(17)		-		826		1		-		810
Income (loss) from operations			$	7,635	$	11,692	$	1,765	$	16,429	$	(12,561)	$	24,960
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense		$	1,234	$	577	$	3,072	$	509	$	272	$	5,664
	Capital expenditures		$	795	$	1,102	$	721	$	704	$	95	$	3,417
	Total assets		$	59,763	$	68,018	$	89,447	$	43,195	$	133,917	$	394,340

Stockholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

11. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Equity Incentive Plan

The Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Equity Incentive Plan”), provides for grants of stock options as well as grants of stock, including restricted stock. Approximately 3.0 million shares of common stock are authorized for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan, of which approximately 1,113,476 shares were available for issuance at September 30, 2018.

Stock Repurchase Program

Our Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program for the purchase from time to time of up to 1.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock. Share purchases are made for cash in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing and amount of purchases under the program are determined based upon prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. All or part of the repurchases may be implemented under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, which allows repurchases under pre-set terms at times when the Company might otherwise be prevented from purchasing under insider trading laws or because of self-imposed blackout periods. The program does not require the Company to purchase any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended or reinstated at any time at the Company’s discretion and without notice.

We repurchased 100,627 shares of our common stock during the year ended September 30, 2018, in open market transactions at an average price of $15.41 per share.

We repurchased 145,484 shares of our common stock during the year ended September 30, 2017, in open market transactions at an average price of $15.37 per share.

Treasury Stock

During the year ended September 30, 2018, we repurchased 32,832 shares of common stock from our employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of restricted stock under the Equity Incentive Plan and repurchased 100,627 shares of common stock on the open market pursuant to our stock repurchase program. During the year ended September 30, 2018, we issued 520 unrestricted shares of common stock from treasury stock to members of our Board of Directors as part of their overall compensation and 1,500 unrestricted shares to satisfy the exercise of outstanding options.

During the year ended September 30, 2017, we repurchased 7,376 shares of common stock from our employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of restricted stock issued under the Equity Incentive Plan, 145,484 shares of common stock were repurchased on the open market pursuant to our stock repurchase program, and 2,257 shares of common stock were forfeited by former employees and returned to treasury stock. During the year ended September 30, 2017, we issued 1,803 unrestricted shares of common stock from treasury stock to members of our Board of Directors as part of their overall compensation and 33,750 unrestricted shares to satisfy the exercise of outstanding options.

Restricted Stock

During the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017, and 2016, we recognized $256, $538, and $522, respectively, in compensation expense related to our restricted stock awards. At September 30, 2018, the unamortized compensation cost related to outstanding unvested restricted stock was zero. A summary of restricted stock awards for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017, and 2016 is provided in the table below:

		Year Ended September 30,
			2018	2017	2016
Unvested at beginning of year			140,668	174,334	207,166
	Granted		-	-	-
	Vested		(140,668)	(31,409)	(25,332)
	Forfeited		-	(2,257)	(7,500)
Unvested at end of year			-	140,668	174,334

The fair value of shares vesting during the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $2,201, $460 and $304, respectively. Fair value was calculated as the number of shares vested times the market price of shares on the date of vesting. At September 30, 2018, we had no unvested restricted stock.

All the restricted shares granted under the Amended Plan (vested or unvested) participate in dividends issued to common shareholders, if any.

Phantom Stock Units

Phantom stock units (“PSUs”) are primarily granted to the members of the Board of Directors as part of their overall compensation. These PSUs are paid via unrestricted stock grants to each director upon their departure from the Board of Directors. We record compensation expense for the full value of the grant on the date of grant. For the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $189, $167, and $136, respectively, in compensation expense related to these grants.

Performance Based Phantom Stock Units

A performance based phantom stock unit (a “PPSU”) is a contractual right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock upon the achievement of certain specified performance objectives and continued performance of services. At September 30, 2018, the Company had outstanding an aggregate of 399,027 three-year PPSUs. The vesting of these awards is subject to the achievement of specified levels of cumulative net income before taxes or specified stock price levels and continued performance of services through mid-December 2018. At September 30, 2018, redemption of a portion of the awards is deemed probable. During the year ended September 30, 2018, we recognized a benefit to compensation expense of $581 related to these grants. This benefit is a result of a reduction in the estimated number of units deemed probable of vesting, based on the projected achievement of specified performance objectives. During the year ended September 30, 2017, we recognized compensation expense of $959 related to these grants.

Performance Cash Units

Performance based phantom cash units (“PPCUs”) are a contractual right to a cash payment of $20 per PPCU. The PPCUs will generally become vested, if at all, upon achievement of certain specified performance objectives. During the year ended September 30, 2018, we recognized a benefit to compensation expense of $154 related to these grants. This benefit is a result of a reduction in the estimated number of units deemed probable of vesting, based on the projected achievement of specified performance objectives. During the year ended September 30, 2017, we recognized compensation expense of $331 related to these grants.

Stock Options

We did not issue stock options during the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09 in the quarter ended December 31, 2016, which required us to reflect any adjustments as of October 1, 2016, we elected to account for forfeitures as they occur to determine the amount of compensation cost to be recognized. This election resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment of $59 to reduce retained earnings for the increase to stock compensation expense.

The following table summarizes activity under our stock option plans.

		Weighted Average
	Shares	Exercise Price
Outstanding, September 30, 2015	133,000	$	5.79
Options granted	-		-
Exercised	42,500		5.17
Forfeited and Cancelled	11,000		3.60
Outstanding, September 30, 2016	79,500	$	6.43
Options granted	-		-
Exercised	33,750		6.46
Forfeited and Cancelled	-		-
Outstanding, September 30, 2017	45,750	$	6.42
Options granted	-		-
Exercised	1,500		7.21
Forfeited and Cancelled	-		-
Outstanding, September 30, 2018	44,250	$	6.39

The following table summarizes options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2018:

Exercise Prices	Outstanding as of September 30, 2018	Remaining Contractual Life in Years		Weighted-Average Exercise Price	Exercisable as of September 30, 2018		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
$5.76	25,500	4.58	$	5.76	25,500	$	5.76
$7.27	11,000	6.29	$	7.27	11,000	$	7.27
$7.21	7,750	6.34	$	7.21	7,750	$	7.21
	44,250		$	6.39	44,250	$	$6.75

Our 2011 options vested over a three year period at a rate of one-third per year upon the annual anniversary date of the grant. Our 2013 and 2015 options cliff vested at the end of a two year period ending at the anniversary date of the grant. All options expire ten years from the grant date if they are not exercised. Upon exercise of stock options, it is our policy to first issue shares from treasury stock, then issue new shares. Unexercised stock options expire July 2021, May 2023, January 2025 and February 2025.

During the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recognized zero, $23 and $70, respectively, in compensation expense related to our stock option awards.

The intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and exercisable was $292 and $306 at September 30, 2018, and 2017, respectively. The intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the fair value as of the end of the period and the exercise price of the stock options.

Related-Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related-Party Transactions	Sep. 30, 2018
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	12. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS The Company is a party to a sublease agreement with Tontine Associates, L.L.C., an affiliate of Tontine, for corporate office space in Greenwich, Connecticut. The lease was renewed for a three-year term in April 2016 with an increase in the monthly rent to $8, reflecting the increase paid by Tontine Associates, L.L.C. to its landlord and the Company’s increased use of the corporate office space. The lease has terms at market rates and payments by the Company are at a rate consistent with that paid by Tontine Associates, L.L.C. to its landlord. See Note 3, “Controlling Shareholder” for additional information regarding Tontine.

Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]

401(k) Plan

13. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

401(k) Plan

In November 1998, we established the IES Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. All full-time IES employees are eligible to participate on the first day of the month subsequent to completing sixty days of service and attaining age twenty-one. Participants become vested in our matching contributions following three years of service. We also maintain several subsidiary retirement savings plans. We recognized $1,895, $1,157, and $737 in matching expenses in fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Executive Savings Plan

Under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan adopted on July 1, 2004 (the “Executive Savings Plan”), certain employees are permitted to defer a portion (up to 75%) of their base salary and/or bonus for a plan year. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, credit one or more participants with an employer deferral (contribution) in such amount as the Committee may choose (“Employer Contribution”). The Employer Contribution, if any, may be a fixed dollar amount, a fixed percentage of the participant’s compensation, base salary, or bonus, or a “matching” amount with respect to all or part of the participant’s elective deferrals for such plan year, and/or any combination of the foregoing as the Committee may choose. No compensation earned during the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 or 2016 was deferred under this plan.

Post Retirement Benefit Plans

Certain individuals at one of the Company’s locations are entitled to receive fixed annual payments that reach a maximum amount, as specified in the related agreements, for a ten year period following retirement or, in some cases, the attainment of 62 years of age. We recognize the unfunded status of the plan in accrued expenses and other non-current liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Benefits vest 50% after ten years of service, which increases by 10% per annum until benefits are fully vested after 15 years of service. We had an unfunded benefit liability of $755 and $815 recorded as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We recognized compensation expense related to these agreements of zero, zero and $65 during the September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Multiemployer Pension Plan

Infrastructure Solutions participates in a multiemployer direct benefit pension plan for employees covered under our collective bargaining agreement. We do not administer the plan. We do not significantly participate in this plan. As of December 31, 2017, this plan was funded at 82.96%.

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

14. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is considered the price to sell an asset, or transfer a liability, between market participants on the measurement date. Fair value measurements assume that the asset or liability is (1) exchanged in an orderly manner, (2) the exchange is in the principal market for that asset or liability, and (3) the market participants are independent, knowledgeable, able and willing to transact an exchange. Fair value accounting and reporting establishes a framework for measuring fair value by creating a hierarchy for observable independent market inputs and unobservable market assumptions and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Considerable judgment is required to interpret the market data used to develop fair value estimates. As such, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methods could have a material effect on the estimated fair value.

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2018, are summarized in the following table by the type of inputs applicable to the fair value measurements:

	September 30, 2018
			Total Fair Value		Quoted Prices (Level 1)		Significant Unobservable (Level 3)
Executive savings plan assets		$	747	$	747	$	-
Executive savings plan liabilities			(631)		(631)		-
Contingent consideration liability			(680)		-		(680)
Total		$	(564)	$	116	$	(680)

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2017, are summarized in the following table by the type of inputs applicable to the fair value measurements:

	September 30, 2017
			Total Fair Value		Quoted Prices (Level 1)		Significant Unobservable (Level 3)
Executive savings plan assets		$	641	$	641	$	-
Executive savings plan liabilities			(529)		(529)		-
Contingent consideration liability			(786)		-		(786)
Total		$	(674)	$	112	$	(786)

In fiscal years 2016, 2017, and 2018, we entered into contingent consideration arrangements related to certain acquisitions. Please see Note 18, “Business Combinations” for further discussion. At September 30, 2018, we estimated the fair value of these contingent consideration liabilities at $680. The table below presents a reconciliation of the fair value of these obligations, which used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

		Contingent Consideration Agreement

Fair Value at September 30, 2017	$	786
Issuances		182
Settlements		(391)
Net adjustments to fair value		103
Fair Value at September 30, 2018	$	680

Below is a description of the inputs used to value the assets summarized in the preceding tables:

Level 1 — Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets exchanged in active markets.

Level 2 — Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs other than Level 1 inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets exchanged in active or inactive markets; quoted prices for identical assets exchanged in inactive markets; and other inputs that are considered in fair value determinations of the assets.

Level 3 — Inputs include unobservable inputs used in the measurement of assets. Management is required to use its own assumptions regarding unobservable inputs because there is little, if any, market activity in the assets or related observable inputs that can be corroborated at the measurement date.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Inventory

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

InventoryDisclosureAbstract

InventoryDisclosureTextBlock

15. INVENTORY

Inventories consist of the following components:

	September 30,
	2018		2017
Raw materials	$	4,453	$	4,104
Work in process		5,168		3,731
Finished goods		1,746		1,692
Parts and supplies		9,599		7,396
Total inventories	$	20,966	$	16,923

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureTextBlock

16. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

The following is a progression of goodwill by segment for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016:

	Commercial				Infrastructure
	& Industrial			Communications	Solutions		Residential		Total
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	3,806	$	-	$	27,499	$	8,631	$	39,936
Acquisitions "Note 18"		3,411		-		3,710		-		7,121
Divestitures "Note 18"		-		-		(51)		-		(51)
Purchase Accounting Adjustments		(41)		-		(272)		-		(313)
Balance at September 30, 2017		7,176		-		30,886		8,631		46,693
Acquisitions "Note 18"		-		2,892		-		1,348		4,240
Purchase Accounting Adjustments		(200)		(76)		45		-		(231)
Balance at September 30, 2018	$	6,976	$	2,816	$	30,931	$	9,979	$	50,702

Based upon the results of our annual impairment analysis, the fair value of our each of our four segments exceeded the book value at September 30, 2018, and warranted no impairment.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following:

		September 30, 2018
	Estimated
	Useful Lives		Gross Carrying		Accumulated
	(in Years)		Amount		Amortization	Net
Trademarks/trade names	5 - 20	$	5,084	$	831	$	4,253
Technical library	20		400		101		299
Customer relationships	6 - 15		33,539		7,870		25,669
Non-competition arrangements	5		40		1		39
Backlog	1		378		176		202
Construction contracts	1		2,184		2,056		128
Total		$	41,625	$	11,035	$	30,590

		September 30, 2017
	Estimated
	Useful Lives		Gross Carrying		Accumulated
	(in Years)		Amount		Amortization	Net
Trademarks/trade names	5 - 20	$	4,643	$	440	$	4,203
Technical library	20		400		81		319
Customer relationships	6 - 15		31,115		4,741		26,374
Non-competition arrangements	5		-		-		-
Backlog	1		2,412		2,130		282
Construction contracts	1		2,399		2,164		235
Total		$	40,969	$	9,556	$	31,413

For the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, amortization expense of intangible assets was $4,101, $5,766 and $2,936, respectively. Our future amortization expense for years ended September 30 is as follows:

Year Ended September 30,
2019	$	3,944
2020		3,247
2021		3,515
2022		3,157
2023		2,780
Thereafter		13,947
Total	$	30,590

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Commitments And Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Legal Matters

17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Matters

From time to time we are a party to various claims, lawsuits and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. We maintain various insurance coverages to minimize financial risk associated with these proceedings. None of these proceedings, separately or in the aggregate, are expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. With respect to all such proceedings, we record reserves when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We expense routine legal costs related to these proceedings as they are incurred.

The following is a discussion of our significant legal matters:

USAMRIID Claim

On December 6, 2017, IES Commercial, Inc. filed suit in the United States District Court of Maryland in the matter USA for the use and benefit of IES Commercial, Inc. and IES Commercial, Inc. v. Manhattan Construction Co., Torcon, Inc., Manhattan Torcon A Joint Venture, Federal Ins. Co., Fidelity & Deposit Co. of Maryland, Zurich American Ins. Co., and Travelers Casualty & Surety Co. This suit related to a large project which has been ongoing since 2009, having originally been scheduled for completion in early 2013. As the Company has previously disclosed, the Company entered into a subcontract in 2009 with Manhattan Torcon A Joint Venture (“MTJV”) to perform subcontracting services at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases (“USAMRIID”) replacement facility project for a contract value of approximately $61,146, subject to additions or deductions. Because of delays on the project and additional work the Company performed, the Company had sought in the suit approximately $21,000 for claims incurred as of August 31, 2017, and had expected to seek to recover approximately $4,500 of additional claims expected to be incurred following August 31, 2017, through completion of the project. On January 22, 2018 the defendants in this matter filed a motion to dismiss the suit, and on February 2, 2018, we filed our response. On September 26, 2018, the District Court ruled on the motion to dismiss, granting it in part and denying it in part. The ruling, were it to withstand an appeal, would likely have reduced the size of the Company’s estimated damages claim by approximately 50%.

Following mediation on September 26, 2018, the parties entered into a binding memorandum of agreement to settle all claims brought in the suit. The parties are currently preparing a formalized settlement agreement. Pursuant to the memorandum of agreement, the parties have agreed that in exchange for IES Commercial, Inc.’s dismissal of the suit and completion of a limited scope of subcontracting work, as well as mutual releases and parent guaranties by the parties, among other items, MTJV will make $2,500 in cash payments to IES Commercial, Inc., including $1,500 contingent upon completion of the remaining work.

The Company recorded a charge of $1,895 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, in order to adjust the remaining contract value and scope of work to reflect the terms of the settlement. The Company had not previously recorded any recovery in connection with this claim. At September, 30, 2018, based on our most current revised cost estimates, the Company estimates this project to be 99% complete. These estimated costs, and the revenue associated with them, will be recognized in future periods when the work is performed, and our estimates may be further adjusted in future periods as the work is completed.

Risk-Management

We retain the risk for workers’ compensation, employer’s liability, automobile liability, construction defects, general liability and employee group health claims, as well as pollution coverage, resulting from uninsured deductibles per accident or occurrence which are generally subject to annual aggregate limits. Our general liability program provides coverage for bodily injury and property damage. In many cases, we insure third parties, including general contractors, as additional insureds under our insurance policies. Losses are accrued based upon our known claims incurred and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported. As a result, many of our claims are effectively self-insured. Many claims against our insurance are in the form of litigation. At September 30, 2018 and 2017, we had $6,202 and $6,204, respectively, accrued for insurance liabilities. We are also subject to construction defect liabilities, primarily within our Residential segment. As of September 30, 2018 and 2017, we had $171 and $218, respectively, reserved for these claims. Because the reserves are based on judgment and estimates, and involve variables that are inherently uncertain, such as the outcome of litigation and an assessment of insurance coverage, there can be no assurance that the ultimate liability will not be higher or lower than such estimates or that the timing of payments will not create liquidity issues for the Company.

Some of the underwriters of our casualty insurance program require us to post letters of credit as collateral. This is common in the insurance industry. To date, we have not had a situation where an underwriter has had reasonable cause to effect payment under a letter of credit. At September 30, 2018, $6,101 of our outstanding letters of credit was utilized to collateralize our insurance program.

Surety

As of September 30, 2018, the estimated cost to complete our bonded projects was approximately $50,170. We evaluate our bonding requirements on a regular basis, including the terms offered by our sureties. We believe the bonding capacity presently provided by our current sureties is adequate for our current operations and will be adequate for our operations for the foreseeable future. Posting letters of credit in favor of our sureties reduces the borrowing availability under our revolving credit facility.

Other Commitments and Contingencies

Some of our customers and vendors require us to post letters of credit, or provide intercompany guarantees, as a means of guaranteeing performance under our contracts and ensuring payment by us to subcontractors and vendors. If our customer has reasonable cause to effect payment under a letter of credit, we would be required to reimburse our creditor for the letter of credit. At September 30, 2018, $508 of our outstanding letters of credit were to collateralize our vendors.

From time to time, we may enter into firm purchase commitments for materials, such as copper or aluminum wire, which we expect to use in the ordinary course of business. These commitments are typically for terms of less than one year and require us to buy minimum quantities of materials at specific intervals at a fixed price over the term. As of September 30, 2018, we had no such commitments.

Some of the lease agreements entered into will not commence until the following fiscal year. The total future undiscounted cash flows related to lease agreements committed to but not yet commenced as of September 30, 2018, is $962.

Business Combinations

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Combination Disclosure

18. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND DIVESTITURES

Business Combinations

2018

The Company completed two acquisitions in the year ended September 30, 2018, for a total aggregate consideration of $7,413, which includes cash consideration paid at closing of $7,091, cash consideration paid subsequent to closing of $125, cash consideration payable in the next fiscal year of $15, and contingent consideration payable in July 2019 and 2020 with aggregate acquisition date fair value estimated at $182.

Azimuth Communications, Inc. (“Azimuth”) – On April 6, 2018, the Company’s Communications segment acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Azimuth, a Portland, Oregon-based provider of design and integration services for structured cabling, physical security, access control systems, distributed antenna systems, wireless access, and audio visual systems. Azimuth operates within the Company’s Communications segment. The acquisition of Azimuth has accelerated our expansion into the Pacific Northwest market, which the Company believes to be an attractive market.

Electrical Contractors North, Inc. ("ECNI") – On July 31, 2018, the Company’s Residential segment acquired substantially all of the assets of Electrical Contractors North, Inc. ("ECNI"), a Salt Lake City, Utah-based provider of electrical contracting for multi-family residential and hotel construction. We believe the acquisition of ECNI furthers our Residential segment’s growth strategy by providing a foothold in the Salt Lake City market.

The Company accounted for these fiscal 2018 transactions under the acquisition method of accounting, which requires recording assets and liabilities at fair value (Level 3). The valuations derived from estimated fair value assessments and assumptions used by management are preliminary pending finalization of certain tangible and intangible asset valuations and assessment of deferred taxes. While management believes that its preliminary estimates and assumptions underlying the valuations are reasonable, different estimates and assumptions could result in different values being assigned to individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed. This may result in adjustments to the preliminary amounts recorded. The preliminary valuation of the assets and liabilities assumed for our fiscal 2018 acquisitions as of the acquisition dates is as follows:

Current assets		$	1,767
Property and equipment			590
Intangible assets (primarily customer relationships)			3,182
Goodwill			4,164
Current liabilities			(1,580)
Long term liabilities			(14)
Deferred tax liability			(696)
	Net assets acquired	$	7,413

With regard to goodwill, the balance is attributable to the workforce of the acquired business and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition. In connection with the Azimuth and ECNI acquisitions, we acquired goodwill of $4,164, of which $1,448 is tax deductible.

In conjunction with these acquisitions, we acquired receivables totaling $1,478, of which we estimate none to be uncollectible at the date of acquisition. In aggregate, these two acquisitions contributed $4,965 in additional revenue and $532 in additional operating loss during the year ended September 30, 2018.

2017

The Company completed three acquisitions in the year ended September 30, 2017, for a total aggregate consideration of $20,979. See Note 18, “Business Combinations and Divestitures” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017, for further information.

• Freeman Enclosure Systems, LLC (“Freeman”) – We acquired 100% of the membership interests and associated real estate of Freeman and its affiliate Strategic Edge LLC on March 16, 2017. Strategic Edge LLC was subsequently merged into Freeman, with Freeman as the surviving entity. Freeman is included in our Infrastructure Solutions segment. Freeman’s ability to manufacture custom generator enclosures has expanded our solutions offering.

• Technical Services II, LLC (“Technical Services”) – STR Mechanical, our 80% owned subsidiary which is consolidated, acquired all of the membership interests of Technical Services, a Chesapeake, Virginia-based provider of mechanical maintenance services, including commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning, food service equipment, electrical and plumbing services, on June 15, 2017. Technical Services operates as a subsidiary of STR Mechanical within the Company’s Commercial & Industrial segment. The acquisition of Technical Services has expanded our geographic reach and diversified our customer base for mechanical maintenance services.

• NEXT Electric, LLC (“NEXT Electric”) – On July 14, 2017, the Company acquired 80% of the membership interests of NEXT Electric, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based electrical contractor specializing in the design, installation and maintenance of electrical systems for commercial, industrial, healthcare, water treatment and education end markets. NEXT Electric operates within the Company’s Commercial & Industrial segment.

The total purchase consideration for the Freeman, Technical Services and Azimuth acquisitions included contingent consideration payments based on the acquired company’s earnings, as defined in the applicable purchase and sale agreement. The fair value of the total contingent consideration liability for all acquisitions, including Freeman, Technical Services, and Azimuth, was estimated at $680 as of September 30, 2018, and is accrued in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The preliminary estimates for Freeman, Technical Services and NEXT Electric were finalized during the year ended September 30, 2018.

Noncontrolling Interest

Our agreements governing the operations of STR and NEXT Electric contain a provision where, at any time after five years from the acquisition date, we may purchase all or a portion of the 20% noncontrolling interest. Pursuant to this provision, we may purchase the noncontrolling interest, or, with notice, the noncontrolling interest holders may cause us to purchase their interests, for a contractually determined price based on the trailing 2 year earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of STR and NEXT Electric, calculated at the time of the purchase.

As of the acquisition date, the fair value of the noncontrolling interest in STR and NEXT Electric was equal to 20% of the overall fair value of STR and NEXT Electric.

Quarterly Results Of Operations (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Quarterly Results Of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]

Quarterly Results Of Operations (Unaudited)

19. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

Quarterly financial information for the years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 are summarized as follows:

		Year Ended September 30, 2018
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
Revenues		$	198,300	$	205,677	$	232,576	$	240,275
Gross profit		$	33,064	$	33,840	$	42,537	$	40,521
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.		$	(29,569)	$	2,221	$	8,516	$	4,675

Earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic	$	(1.39)	$	0.11	$	0.40	$	0.22
	Diluted	$	(1.39)	$	0.11	$	0.40	$	0.22

The sum of the individual quarterly earnings (loss) per share amounts may not agree with year-to-date earnings per share as each period’s computation is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.

		Year Ended September 30, 2017
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
Revenues		$	192,178	$	203,662	$	208,323	$	206,581
Gross profit		$	35,182	$	31,814	$	35,398	$	38,104
Net income attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.		$	3,872	$	536	$	5,868	$	3,146

Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	0.18	$	0.02	$	0.27	$	0.15
	Diluted	$	0.18	$	0.02	$	0.27	$	0.14

The sum of the individual quarterly earnings per share amounts may not agree with year-to-date earnings per share as each period’s computation is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Asset Impairment

During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded no asset impairment charges.

Use of Estimates

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Inventories

Securities and Equity Investments

Property and Equipment

Goodwill

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives based on expected economic benefit with no residual value.

Debt Issuance Costs

Revenue Recognition

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by and distributions to stockholders.

Income Taxes

Risk Management

Year Ended September 30:
	2019	$	1,748
	2020		1,144
	2021		746
	2022		429
	2023		216
	Thereafter		1,003
Total		$	5,286

We had letters of credit totaling $6,101 outstanding at September 30, 2018 to collateralize certain of our high deductible insurance obligations.

Realization of Long-Lived Assets

For the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, no indicators of impairments were identified, and no impairment charges were recorded.

Risk Concentration

No single customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenues for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Stock-Based Compensation

Deferred Compensation Plans

Noncontrolling Interest

New Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

We do not expect ASU 2016-01, ASU 2017-01 ASU 2017-09, ASU 2018-07, or 2018-13 to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Summary Of Significant Accounting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Risk-Management Table (Undiscounted Ultimate Losses on Insurance Reserves)

Year Ended September 30:
	2019	$	1,748
	2020		1,144
	2021		746
	2022		429
	2023		216
	Thereafter		1,003
Total		$	5,286

Property And Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Property And Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

	Estimated
	Useful Lives	Year Ended September 30,
	in Years	2018		2017
Land	N/A	$	1,348	$	1,076
Buildings and Improvements	5-20		12,479		11,675
Machinery and equipment	3-10		27,443		23,190
Information systems⁽¹⁾	2-8		7,854		14,318
Furniture and fixtures	5-7		1,579		1,693
		$	50,703	$	51,952
Less-Accumulated depreciation			(25,613)		(27,862)
Construction in progress			274		553
Property and equipment, net		$	25,364	$	24,643

⁽¹⁾ During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, we retired $6,651 in fully depreciated assets.

Per Share Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Per Share Information [Abstract]

ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedTableTextBlock

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2016
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of IES Holdings, Inc.	$	(14,113)	$	13,275	$	119,722
Increase (decrease) in noncontrolling interest		(44)		44		-
Net income attributable to restricted shareholders of IES Holdings, Inc.		-		103		1,056
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	$	(14,157)	$	13,422	$	120,778

Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic		21,196,388		21,280,549		21,279,342
Effect of dilutive stock options and non-vested restricted stock		-		252,705		212,997
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding — diluted		21,196,388		21,533,254		21,492,339

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.:
Basic	$	(0.67)	$	0.62	$	5.63
Diluted	$	(0.67)	$	0.62	$	5.62

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Detail Of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017
Balance at beginning of period	$	650	$	736
Additions to costs and expenses		515		294
Deductions for uncollectible receivables written off, net of recoveries		(297)		(380)
Balance at end of period	$	868	$	650

Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017
Accounts payable, trade	$	75,293	$	63,246
Accrued compensation and benefits		34,058		33,561
Accrued insurance liabilities		6,202		6,204
Other accrued expenses		15,038		17,699
	$	130,591	$	120,710

Contracts In Progresstable [Text Block]

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017
Costs incurred on contracts in progress	$	476,609	$	486,950
Estimated earnings		62,617		55,606
		539,226		542,556
Less--Billings to date		(541,606)		(559,036)
Net contracts in progress	$	(2,380)	$	(16,480)
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings		31,446		13,438
Less--Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings		(33,826)		(29,918)
Net contracts in progress	$	(2,380)	$	(16,480)

Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017
Executive Savings Plan assets		747		641
Securities and equity investments		558		558
Other		4,760		2,583
Total	$	6,065	$	3,782

Schedule of Cost Method Investments [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017
Carrying value	$	558	$	558
Unrealized gains		224		171
Fair value	$	782	$	729

Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Debt [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]

		Year Ended September 30,
		2018		2017
Revolving loan (long-term debt)			$30,247		$30,257
Debt issuance costs			(912)		(1,115)
Other long-term debt			229		292
	Total debt	$	29,564	$	29,434

Leases (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Leases [Abstract]

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]

Year Ended September 30:
2019	$	9,460
2020		7,437
2021		4,925
2022		3,317
2023		1,805
Thereafter		3,229
Total	$	30,173

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]

		Year Ended September 30,
		2018		2017		2016
Federal:
	Current	$	(2,345)	$	(3,092)	$	762
	Deferred		38,744		6,384		(97,093)
State:
	Current		1,536		1,432		952
	Deferred		216		487		(1,738)
	Total provision for income taxes	$	38,151	$	5,211	$	(97,117)

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

		Year Ended September 30,
		2018		2017		2016
Provision at the statutory rate ⁽¹⁾		$	5,973	$	6,582	$	8,316
Increase resulting from:
	Non-deductible expenses		1,003		966		1,557
	State income taxes, net of federal deduction		1,193		1,003		1,105
	Change in valuation allowance		1,761		142		-
	Rate change		31,333		-		-
	Other		183		17		-
Decrease resulting from:
	Change in valuation allowance		-		-		(108,987)
	Contingent tax liabilities		(1,908)		(3,499)		(96)
	State deferred true up		(1,387)		-		-
	Other		-		-		988
	Total provision for income taxes	$	38,151	$	5,211	$	(97,117)

	(1) A statutory rate of 24.53% was used in 2018 and 35% in both 2017 and 2016. The lower effective tax rate used in 2018 is related to the enactment of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017.

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

		Year Ended September 30,
		2018		2017
Deferred income tax assets:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	207	$	243
	Accrued expenses		8,054		12,915
	Net operating loss carryforward		46,881		77,497
	Various reserves		1,172		1,807
	Equity losses in affiliate		119		82
	Share-based compensation		665		1,570
	Capital loss carryforward		94		337
	Other		712		3,195
Subtotal			57,904		97,646
Less valuation allowance			4,127		2,366
Total deferred income tax assets		$	53,777	$	95,280
Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	$	1,122	$	2,019
	Intangible assets		5,499		6,548
	Other		576		502
Total deferred income tax liabilities			7,197		9,069
Net deferred income tax assets		$	46,580	$	86,211

Schedule Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward Table[Text Block]

	Year Ended September 30,
	2018		2017
Balance at October 1,	$	51,968	$	55,867
Additions for position related to current year		13		207
Additions for positions of prior years		272		-
Reduction resulting from the lapse of the applicable statutes of limitations		3,361		3,707
Reduction resulting from rate change		18,636		-
Reduction resulting from positions of prior years		-		399
Reduction resulting from settlement of positions of prior years		-		-
Balance at September 30,	$	30,256	$	51,968

Operation Segments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Operating Segments [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

		Year Ended September 30, 2018
			Commercial &				Infrastructure
			Industrial		Communications		Solutions		Residential		Corporate		Total
Revenues			$	274,299	$	219,655	$	97,163	$	285,711	$	-	$	876,828
Cost of services				244,656		179,518		75,337		227,355		-		726,866
Gross profit				29,643		40,137		21,826		58,356		-		149,962
Selling, general and administrative				27,031		26,003		18,293		41,401		11,192		123,920
Contingent consideration				(100)		(85)		288		-		-		103
Loss (gain) on sale of assets				(37)		(4)		18		8		-		(15)
Income (loss) from operations			$	2,749	$	14,223	$	3,227	$	16,947	$	(11,192)	$	25,954
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense		$	2,197	$	1,247	$	4,672	$	637	$	107	$	8,860
	Capital expenditures		$	2,216	$	647	$	735	$	932	$	33	$	4,563
	Total assets		$	89,729	$	80,528	$	109,506	$	55,176	$	87,055	$	421,994

		Year Ended September 30, 2017
			Commercial &				Infrastructure
			Industrial		Communications		Solutions		Residential		Corporate		Total
Revenues			$	227,606	$	225,275	$	83,824	$	274,039	$	-	$	810,744
Cost of services				208,619		187,419		63,399		210,809		-		670,246
Gross profit				18,987		37,856		20,425		63,230		-		140,498
Selling, general and administrative				20,170		24,219		17,859		43,689		14,433		120,370
Contingent consideration				-		-		(145)		-		-		(145)
Loss (gain) on sale of assets				(32)		(1)		(79)		43		-		(69)
Income (loss) from operations			$	(1,151)	$	13,638	$	2,790	$	19,498	$	(14,433)	$	20,342
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense		$	1,648	$	740	$	6,412	$	565	$	269	$	9,634
	Capital expenditures		$	1,241	$	2,046	$	538	$	561	$	203	$	4,589
	Total assets		$	84,756	$	63,917	$	106,114	$	51,994	$	117,713	$	424,494

		Year Ended September 30, 2016
			Commercial &				Infrastructure
			Industrial		Communications		Solutions		Residential		Corporate		Total
Revenues			$	222,466	$	189,635	$	58,003	$	225,889	$	-	$	695,993
Cost of services				197,679		157,104		42,356		171,874		-		569,013
Gross profit				24,787		32,531		15,647		54,015		-		126,980
Selling, general and administrative				17,169		20,839		12,404		37,585		12,561		100,558
	Contingent Consideration			-		-		652		-		-		652
Loss (gain) on sale of assets				(17)		-		826		1		-		810
Income (loss) from operations			$	7,635	$	11,692	$	1,765	$	16,429	$	(12,561)	$	24,960
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense		$	1,234	$	577	$	3,072	$	509	$	272	$	5,664
	Capital expenditures		$	795	$	1,102	$	721	$	704	$	95	$	3,417
	Total assets		$	59,763	$	68,018	$	89,447	$	43,195	$	133,917	$	394,340

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]

Schedule Of Unvested Restricted Stock Units Roll Forward Table [Text Block]

		Year Ended September 30,
			2018	2017	2016
Unvested at beginning of year			140,668	174,334	207,166
	Granted		-	-	-
	Vested		(140,668)	(31,409)	(25,332)
	Forfeited		-	(2,257)	(7,500)
Unvested at end of year			-	140,668	174,334

Schedule Of Stock Options Roll Forward Table [Text Block]

		Weighted Average
	Shares	Exercise Price
Outstanding, September 30, 2015	133,000	$	5.79
Options granted	-		-
Exercised	42,500		5.17
Forfeited and Cancelled	11,000		3.60
Outstanding, September 30, 2016	79,500	$	6.43
Options granted	-		-
Exercised	33,750		6.46
Forfeited and Cancelled	-		-
Outstanding, September 30, 2017	45,750	$	6.42
Options granted	-		-
Exercised	1,500		7.21
Forfeited and Cancelled	-		-
Outstanding, September 30, 2018	44,250	$	6.39

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]

Exercise Prices	Outstanding as of September 30, 2018	Remaining Contractual Life in Years		Weighted-Average Exercise Price	Exercisable as of September 30, 2018		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
$5.76	25,500	4.58	$	5.76	25,500	$	5.76
$7.27	11,000	6.29	$	7.27	11,000	$	7.27
$7.21	7,750	6.34	$	7.21	7,750	$	7.21
	44,250		$	6.39	44,250	$	$6.75

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2018
			Total Fair Value		Quoted Prices (Level 1)		Significant Unobservable (Level 3)
Executive savings plan assets		$	747	$	747	$	-
Executive savings plan liabilities			(631)		(631)		-
Contingent consideration liability			(680)		-		(680)
Total		$	(564)	$	116	$	(680)

	September 30, 2017
			Total Fair Value		Quoted Prices (Level 1)		Significant Unobservable (Level 3)
Executive savings plan assets		$	641	$	641	$	-
Executive savings plan liabilities			(529)		(529)		-
Contingent consideration liability			(786)		-		(786)
Total		$	(674)	$	112	$	(786)

Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Text Block]

		Contingent Consideration Agreement

Fair Value at September 30, 2017	$	786
Issuances		182
Settlements		(391)
Net adjustments to fair value		103
Fair Value at September 30, 2018	$	680

Inventory (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

InventoryDisclosureAbstract

Schedule Of Inventory Current [Table Text Block]

	September 30,
	2018		2017
Raw materials	$	4,453	$	4,104
Work in process		5,168		3,731
Finished goods		1,746		1,692
Parts and supplies		9,599		7,396
Total inventories	$	20,966	$	16,923

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

	Commercial				Infrastructure
	& Industrial			Communications	Solutions		Residential		Total
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	3,806	$	-	$	27,499	$	8,631	$	39,936
Acquisitions "Note 18"		3,411		-		3,710		-		7,121
Divestitures "Note 18"		-		-		(51)		-		(51)
Purchase Accounting Adjustments		(41)		-		(272)		-		(313)
Balance at September 30, 2017		7,176		-		30,886		8,631		46,693
Acquisitions "Note 18"		-		2,892		-		1,348		4,240
Purchase Accounting Adjustments		(200)		(76)		45		-		(231)
Balance at September 30, 2018	$	6,976	$	2,816	$	30,931	$	9,979	$	50,702

Schedule Of Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Table Text Block]

		September 30, 2018
	Estimated
	Useful Lives		Gross Carrying		Accumulated
	(in Years)		Amount		Amortization	Net
Trademarks/trade names	5 - 20	$	5,084	$	831	$	4,253
Technical library	20		400		101		299
Customer relationships	6 - 15		33,539		7,870		25,669
Non-competition arrangements	5		40		1		39
Backlog	1		378		176		202
Construction contracts	1		2,184		2,056		128
Total		$	41,625	$	11,035	$	30,590

		September 30, 2017
	Estimated
	Useful Lives		Gross Carrying		Accumulated
	(in Years)		Amount		Amortization	Net
Trademarks/trade names	5 - 20	$	4,643	$	440	$	4,203
Technical library	20		400		81		319
Customer relationships	6 - 15		31,115		4,741		26,374
Non-competition arrangements	5		-		-		-
Backlog	1		2,412		2,130		282
Construction contracts	1		2,399		2,164		235
Total		$	40,969	$	9,556	$	31,413

Schedule Of Finite Lived Intangible Assets Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

Year Ended September 30,
2019	$	3,944
2020		3,247
2021		3,515
2022		3,157
2023		2,780
Thereafter		13,947
Total	$	30,590

Business Combination (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Allocation to Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

Current assets		$	1,767
Property and equipment			590
Intangible assets (primarily customer relationships)			3,182
Goodwill			4,164
Current liabilities			(1,580)
Long term liabilities			(14)
Deferred tax liability			(696)
	Net assets acquired	$	7,413

Quarterly Results Of Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Quarterly Results Of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]

		Year Ended September 30, 2018
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
Revenues		$	198,300	$	205,677	$	232,576	$	240,275
Gross profit		$	33,064	$	33,840	$	42,537	$	40,521
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.		$	(29,569)	$	2,221	$	8,516	$	4,675

Earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic	$	(1.39)	$	0.11	$	0.40	$	0.22
	Diluted	$	(1.39)	$	0.11	$	0.40	$	0.22

		Year Ended September 30, 2017
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
Revenues		$	192,178	$	203,662	$	208,323	$	206,581
Gross profit		$	35,182	$	31,814	$	35,398	$	38,104
Net income attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.		$	3,872	$	536	$	5,868	$	3,146

Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	0.18	$	0.02	$	0.27	$	0.15
	Diluted	$	0.18	$	0.02	$	0.27	$	0.14

Summary Of Significant Accounting (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Summary Of Significant Accounting (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Minority Interest Ownership Percentage By Noncontrolling Owners	20.00%
Minority Interest Ownership Percentage By Parent	80.00%
Minority Interest Redemption Value	$ 2,579
Increase in noncontrolling interest	(44)	$ 44
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	6,609
New Accounting Pronouncement Early Adoption [Line Items]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	868	650	$ 736
Deferred financing cost amortization	288	294	$ 345
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	912	1,115
Loss Contingency, Undiscounted Amount of Insurance-related Assessment Liability	5,286	5,306
Accrued Insurance	$ 6,202	$ 6,204
LossContingencyAccrualInsuranceRelatedAssessmentDiscountRate	2.90%	1.90%
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net	$ 46,580	$ 86,211
Number Of Single Customers Comprising More Than Ten Percent Of Consolidated Net Sales	0
Tax Period [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	24.53%	35.00%
Income Tax Reconciliation Change In Enacted Tax Rate	$ 31,333
Significant Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Is Reasonably Possible Amount Of Unrecorded Benefit	$ 1,908	$ 3,284
Current [Member]
Tax Period [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	24.53%
Previous [Member]
Tax Period [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	35.00%
Future [Member]
Tax Period [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	21.00%
Insurance Related [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 6,101

Summary of Significant Accounting - Future Undiscounted Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
EstimatedUndiscountedUltimateLossesInNextTwelveMonths	$ 1,748
EstimatedUndiscountedUltimateLossesInYearTwo	1,144
EstimatedUndiscountedUltimateLossesInYearThree	746
EstimatedUndiscountedUltimateLossesInYearFour	429
EstimatedUndiscountedUltimateLossesInYearFive	216
EstimatedUndiscountedUltimateLossesThereafter	1,003
Loss Contingency, Undiscounted Amount of Insurance-related Assessment Liability	$ 5,286	$ 5,306

Controlling Shareholder (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Controlling Shareholder (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 05, 2018
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Monthly Lease Payments	$ 8
Controlling Shareholder Ownership Percentage	0.59
Board Observer Ownership Threshold Percentage		0.2

Property And Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Property And Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Property And Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation	$ 4,759	$ 3,840	$ 2,727
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	50,703	51,952
Accumulated Depreciation	(25,613)	(27,862)
Construction in Progress	274	553
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total	25,364	24,643
Disposal of Fully Depreciated Assets	6,651
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,348	1,076
Building an Building Improvement [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 12,479	11,675
Building an Building Improvement [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Building an Building Improvement [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	20 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 27,443	23,190
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	10 years
Technology Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 7,854	14,318
Technology Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	2 years
Technology Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	8 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 1,579	$ 1,693
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	7 years

Per Share Information EPS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders of IES Holdings, Inc.									$ (14,113)	$ 13,275	$ 119,722
Increase in noncontrolling interest									(44)	44
Net income attributable to restricted shareholders of IES Holdings, Inc.									0	103	1,056
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	$ 4,675	$ 8,516	$ 2,221	$ (29,569)	$ 3,146	$ 5,868	$ 536	$ 3,872	$ (14,157)	$ 13,422	$ 120,778
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic									21,196,388	21,280,549	21,279,342
Effect of dilutive stock options and non-vested restricted stock									0	252,705	212,997
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total									21,196,388	21,533,254	21,492,339
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.22	$ 0.4	$ 0.11	$ (1.39)	$ 0.15	$ 0.27	$ 0.02	$ 0.18	$ (0.67)	$ 0.62	$ 5.63
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.22	$ 0.4	$ 0.11	$ (1.39)	$ 0.14	$ 0.27	$ 0.02	$ 0.18	$ (0.67)	$ 0.62	$ 5.62
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount									301,879

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018
Schedule of Equity Cost Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	2.21%
EnerTech [Member]
Schedule of Equity Cost Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	2.21%

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts - AR (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable Beginning Balance	$ 650	$ 736
Additions to costs and expenses	515	294
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Charge Offs	(297)	(380)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable Ending Balance	$ 868	$ 650

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts - AP (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Accounts Payable, Trade	$ 75,293	$ 63,246
Accrued Employee Benefits	34,058	33,561
Accrued Insurance	6,202	6,204
Other Accrued Liabilities	15,038	17,699
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total	$ 130,591	$ 120,710

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts - CIP (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Contracts in Progress [Abstract]
Costs Incurred Contract In Progress	$ 476,609	$ 486,950
Estimated Earnings on Contracts In Progress	62,617	55,606
Estimated Profit On Contract In Progress	539,226	542,556
Billings To Date	(541,606)	(559,036)
Contracts In Process Net	(2,380)	(16,480)
Costs in Excess of Billings on Uncompleted Contracts or Programs	31,446	13,438
Billings in Excess of Cost	33,826	29,918
Contracts In Process Net (From Balance Sheet)	$ (2,380)	$ (16,480)

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts - Other Non Current Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets	$ 747	$ 641
Investments	558	558
Other, Other Noncurrent Assets	4,760	2,583
Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total	$ 6,065	$ 3,782

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts - FairValue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Carrying Value	$ 558	$ 558
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments	224	171
Fair Value	$ 782	$ 729

Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt [Abstract]
Interest expense	$ 1,946	$ 1,702	$ 1,282
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	6,609
Maximum Revolver Amount	$ 100,000
Line Of Credit Facility Covenant Terms	• a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis at the end of each quarter, of at least 1.1 to 1.0; and • minimum Liquidity (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) of at least thirty percent (30%) of the Maximum Revolver Amount (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), or $30,000; with, for purposes of this covenant, at least fifty percent (50%) of our Liquidity comprised of Excess Availability (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement).
Weighted Average Annual Interest Rate	3.86%	3.04%
Revolving Loan [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Excess Availability	$ 48,144
Line Of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	Aug. 09, 2021
Liquidity	$ 74,391
EBITDA	$ 36,964

Debt - Debt Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt [Abstract]
Revolving loan	$ 30,247	$ 30,257
Debt Issuance Costs	912	1,115
Other Long Term Debt	229	292
Total Debt	$ 29,564	$ 29,434

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References + Details

Debt - Borrowing Thresholds (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
EBITDA is greater than or equal to	$ 35,000
Excess Availability is greater than or equal to	$ 30,000

Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	$ 7,680	$ 6,990	$ 5,868

Leases - Furture Payments (Details) - Facilities, Vehciles, and Equipment [Member] $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current	$ 9,460
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	7,437
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	4,925
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	3,317
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	1,805
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	3,229
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$ 30,173

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	24.53%	35.00%
Reorganization Of Goodwill Excess Tax Basis	$ 23,735
SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleEstimatedRangeOfChangeUpperBound	5,754
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	35	$ 14
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	53,777	95,280
Uncertain Tax Benefit Net Opertating Loss From Goodwill	28,453	$ 50,180
Goodwill Tax Basis	1,448
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Cash Tax Reduction Attributable To Additional Goodwill Amortization	11,487
Operating Loss Carryforwards Attributable To Additional Goodwill Amortization	133,291
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 355,302
Tax Credit Carryforward, Limitations on Use	The annual limitation under Section 382 on the utilization of federal net operating losses was approximately $20,000 for the first five tax years subsequent to the change in ownership and $16,000 thereafter.
Carryforward Amount Excluded From Limitations on Use	$ 300,400
DeferredTaxAssetOffsetByDeferredTaxLiability	4,247
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards Attributable To Additional Goodwill Amortization	8,806
Operating Loss Carryforwards	100,772
DeferredTaxAssetOffsetByDeferredTaxLiability	696
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$ 681

Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Current Federal Tax Expense	$ (2,345)	$ (3,092)	$ 762
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense	38,744	6,384	(97,093)
Current State and Local Tax Expense	1,536	1,432	952
Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	216	487	(1,738)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	$ 38,151	$ 5,211	$ (97,117)

Income Taxes - Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Income Tax Reconciliation, Income Tax Expense (Benefit), at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	$ 5,973	$ 6,582	$ 8,316
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	38,151	$ 5,211	(97,117)
Income Tax Reconciliation Change In Enacted Tax Rate	$ 31,333
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	24.53%	35.00%
Increase Resulting From [Member]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Alternative Minimum Tax	$ 0	$ 0	0
Income Tax Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense	1,003	966	1,557
Long-lived Assets	0	0	0
Income Tax Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes	1,193	1,003	1,105
Contingent Tax Liabilities	0	0	0
Effective Income Tax Rate Rec Other	183	17	0
Change in valuation allowance	1,761	142	0
Income Tax Reconciliation Change In Enacted Tax Rate	31,333
Decrease Resulting From [Member]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]
Contingent Tax Liabilities	(1,908)	(3,499)	(96)
Effective Income Tax Rate Rec Other	0	0	988
Change in valuation allowance	0	0	(108,987)
Valuation Allowance Adjustment Acquisition	0	$ 0	$ 0
State deferred true up	$ (1,387)

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Deferred Tax Assets:
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$ 207	$ 243
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Accrued Liabilities	8,054	12,915
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	46,881	77,497
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Other	1,172	1,807
Deferred Tax Assets Investments	119	82
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Share-based Compensation Cost	665	1,570
Deferred Tax Assets, Capital Loss Carryforwards	94	337
Deferred Tax Assets, Other	712	3,195
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	57,904	97,646
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	4,127	2,366
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	53,777	95,280
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment	1,122	2,019
Deferred Tax Liabilities Goodwill And Intangible Assets	5,499	6,548
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other	576	502
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, total	7,197	9,069
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net	$ 46,580	$ 86,211

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Beginning Balance	$ 51,968	$ 55,867
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions	13	207
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	272	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	3,361	3,707
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	0	399
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities	0	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Rate Change	18,636	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Ending Balance	$ 30,256	$ 51,968

Operating Segments (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Operating Segments (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 240,275,000	$ 232,576,000	$ 205,677,000	$ 198,300,000	$ 206,581,000	$ 208,323,000	$ 203,662,000	$ 192,178,000	$ 876,828,000	$ 810,744,000	$ 695,993,000
Cost of Services									726,866,000	670,246,000	569,013,000
Gross Profit	40,521,000	$ 42,537,000	$ 33,840,000	$ 33,064,000	38,104,000	$ 35,398,000	$ 31,814,000	$ 35,182,000	149,962,000	140,498,000	126,980,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expense									123,920,000	120,370,000	100,558,000
Contingent consideration									103,000	(145,000)	652,000
Loss (gain) on sale of assets									(15,000)	(69,000)	810,000
Operating Income (Loss)									25,954,000	20,342,000	24,960,000
Depreciation and amortization									8,860,000	9,634,000	5,664,000
Capital Expenditures									4,563,000	4,589,000	3,417,000
Assets	421,994,000				424,494,000				421,994,000	424,494,000	394,340,000
Commercial & Industrial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									274,299,000	227,606,000	222,466,000
Cost of Services									244,656,000	208,619,000	197,679,000
Gross Profit									29,643,000	18,987,000	24,787,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expense									27,031,000	20,170,000	17,169,000
Contingent consideration									(100,000)	0	0
Loss (gain) on sale of assets									(37,000)	(32,000)	(17,000)
Operating Income (Loss)									2,749,000	(1,151,000)	7,635,000
Depreciation and amortization									2,197,000	1,648,000	1,234,000
Capital Expenditures									2,216,000	1,241,000	795,000
Assets	89,729,000				84,756,000				89,729,000	84,756,000	59,763,000
Communications [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									219,655,000	225,275,000	189,635,000
Cost of Services									179,518,000	187,419,000	157,104,000
Gross Profit									40,137,000	37,856,000	32,531,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expense									26,003,000	24,219,000	20,839,000
Contingent consideration									(85,000)		0
Loss (gain) on sale of assets									(4,000)	(1,000)	0
Operating Income (Loss)									14,223,000	13,638,000	11,692,000
Depreciation and amortization									1,247,000	740,000	577,000
Capital Expenditures									647,000	2,046,000	1,102,000
Assets	80,528,000				63,917,000				80,528,000	63,917,000	68,018,000
Infrastructure Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									97,163,000	83,824,000	58,003,000
Cost of Services									75,337,000	63,399,000	42,356,000
Gross Profit									21,826,000	20,425,000	15,647,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expense									18,293,000	17,859,000	12,404,000
Contingent consideration									288,000	(145,000)	652,000
Loss (gain) on sale of assets									18,000	(79,000)	826,000
Operating Income (Loss)									3,227,000	2,790,000	1,765,000
Depreciation and amortization									4,672,000	6,412,000	3,072,000
Capital Expenditures									735,000	538,000	721,000
Assets	109,506,000				106,114,000				109,506,000	106,114,000	89,447,000
Residential
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									285,711,000	274,039,000	225,889,000
Cost of Services									227,355,000	210,809,000	171,874,000
Gross Profit									58,356,000	63,230,000	54,015,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expense									41,401,000	43,689,000	37,585,000
Contingent consideration											0
Loss (gain) on sale of assets									8,000	43,000	1,000
Operating Income (Loss)									16,947,000	19,498,000	16,429,000
Depreciation and amortization									637,000	565,000	509,000
Capital Expenditures									932,000	561,000	704,000
Assets	55,176,000				51,994,000				55,176,000	51,994,000	43,195,000
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Cost of Services									0	0	0
Gross Profit									0	0	0
Selling, General and Administrative Expense									11,192,000	14,433,000	12,561,000
Contingent consideration											0
Loss (gain) on sale of assets									0	0	0
Operating Income (Loss)									(11,192,000)	(14,433,000)	(12,561,000)
Depreciation and amortization									107,000	269,000	272,000
Capital Expenditures									33,000	203,000	95,000
Assets	$ 87,055,000				$ 117,713,000				$ 87,055,000	$ 117,713,000	$ 133,917,000

Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested shares forfeited	0	2,257	7,500
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Equity Class Of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Approved Number of shares to be repurchased	1,500,000
New Accounting Pronouncement Early Adoption [Line Items]
Cumulative Effect Of New Accounting Principle In Period Of Adoption		$ 363,000
The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Available Common Stock Authorized Shares	1,113,476
Common shares repurchased for tax withholding	32,832	7,376
Shares issued under share based compensation program	1,500	33,750
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	3,000,000
The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] \| Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued under share based compensation program	520	1,803
The 2015 Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Equity Class Of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Approved Number of shares to be repurchased	1,500,000
Treasury Stock Shares Acquired	100,627	145,484
Average Share Price	$ 15.41	$ 15.37
Restricted Stock [Member] \| The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized compensation expense	$ 256,000	$ 538,000	$ 522,000
Unamortized compensation cost	0
Fair Value of Restricted Stock Vesting	$ 2,201,000	460,000	304,000
Weighted Avg Grant Date Fair Value of Unvested Restricted Stock	$ 0
Phantom Share Units PSU's \| The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized compensation expense	$ 189,000	167,000	136,000
Performance Based Phantom Share Units PPSUs [Member] \| The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued under share based compensation program	399,027
Recognized compensation expense	$ (581,000)	959,000
Performance Cash Units [Member] \| The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized compensation expense	154,000	331,000
Stock Option [Member] \| The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized compensation expense	0	23,000	$ 70,000
Intrinsic Value	$ 292,000	$ 306,000

Stockholders' Equity RS Rollforward (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity RS Rollforward (Details) - shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Unvested at beginning of year	140,668	174,334	207,166
Shares Granted	0	0	0
Vested	(140,668)	(31,409)	(25,332)
Forfeited	0	(2,257)	(7,500)
Unvested at end of year	0	140,668	174,334

Stockholders' Equity Stock Opt Rollforward (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding Roll Forward
Outstanding (Shares)	45,750	79,500	133,000
Options granted (Shares)	0	0	0
Options exercised, shares	1,500	33,750	42,500
Forfeited and Cancelled (Shares)		0	11,000
Outstanding (Shares)	44,250	45,750	79,500
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price Rollforward [Abstract]
Outstanding (Weighted Average Price)	$ 6.42	$ 6.43	$ 5.79
Options granted (Weighted Average Price)	0	0	0
Exercised (Weighted Average Price)	7.21	6.46	5.17
Forfeited and Cancelled (Weighted Average Price)	0	0	3.6
Outstanding (Weighted Average Price)	$ 6.39	$ 6.42	$ 6.43

Stockholders' Equity Options Outstanding (Details)	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity Options Outstanding (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares Outstanding \| shares	44,250
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 6.39
Share Exercisable \| shares	44,250
Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 6.75
$5.76 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices Lower Limit	5.76
Range of Exercise Prices Upper Limit	$ 5.76
Shares Outstanding \| shares	25,500
Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 6 months 28 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 5.76
Share Exercisable \| shares	25,500
Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 5.76
$7.27 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices Lower Limit	7.27
Range of Exercise Prices Upper Limit	$ 7.27
Shares Outstanding \| shares	11,000
Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 3 months 13 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 7.27
Share Exercisable \| shares	11,000
Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 7.27
$7.21 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices Lower Limit	7.21
Range of Exercise Prices Upper Limit	$ 7.21
Shares Outstanding \| shares	7,750
Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 4 months 2 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 7.21
Share Exercisable \| shares	7,750
Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 7.21

Related-Party Transactions (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Related-Party Transactions (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Monthly Lease Payments	$ 8

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
401(k) Matching Expense	$ 1,895	$ 1,157	$ 737
Executive Saving Plan [Abstract]
Maximum percentage of salary permitted for deferral	75.00%
Post Retirement Benefit Plan [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Percentage Vest After Ten Years Of Service	50.00%
Denfied Benefits Plan, Annual Percentage Vested	10.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Plans with Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Benefit Obligation	$ 755	$ 815
Expense Related to Post Retirement Benefit Plan			$ 65
Multiemployer Plans [Abstract]
Percentage of Plan Funded				82.96%

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Executive Savings Plan - Assets	$ 747	$ 641
Executive Savings Plan - Liabilities	(631)	(529)
Contingent Consideration Fair Value	680	786
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	(564)	(674)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Executive Savings Plan - Assets	747	641
Executive Savings Plan - Liabilities	(631)	(529)
Contingent Consideration Fair Value		0
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	116	112
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Fair Value	680	786
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	$ 680	$ 786

Fair Value Measurements - Unobservable Inputs (Details) - Contingent Consideration [Member] - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair Value Beginning Balance	$ 786
Issuances	182
Settlements	(391)
Adjustments to Fair Value	103
Fair Value Ending Balance	$ 680

Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
InventoryDisclosureAbstract
Raw Materials	$ 4,453	$ 4,104
Work in Process	5,168	3,731
Finished Goods	1,746	1,692
Parts and Supplies	9,599	7,396
Inventory, Net, Total	$ 20,966	$ 16,923

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization Expense	$ 4,101	$ 5,766	$ 2,936

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill RollForward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
GoodwillRollForward
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 46,693	$ 39,936
Acquisitions	4,240	7,121
Divestitures	0	(51)
Goodwill Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(231)	(313)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	50,702	46,693
Commercial & Industrial [Member]
GoodwillRollForward
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	7,176	3,806
Acquisitions	0	3,411
Divestitures	0	0
Goodwill Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(200)	(41)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	6,976	7,176
Communications [Member]
GoodwillRollForward
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	0	0
Acquisitions	2,892	0
Divestitures	0	0
Goodwill Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(76)	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	2,816	0
Infrastructure Solutions [Member]
GoodwillRollForward
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	30,886	27,499
Acquisitions	0	3,710
Divestitures	0	(51)
Goodwill Purchase Accounting Adjustments	45	(272)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	30,931	30,886
Residential [Member]
GoodwillRollForward
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	8,631	8,631
Acquisitions	1,348	0
Divestitures	0	0
Goodwill Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 9,979	$ 8,631

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
IntangibleAssets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 41,625	$ 40,969
Accumulated Amortization	11,035	9,556
Intangible assets, net	30,590	31,413
Trademarks And Trade Names - Finite [Member]
IntangibleAssets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	5,084	4,643
Accumulated Amortization	831	440
Intangible assets, net	$ 4,253	$ 4,203
Trademarks And Trade Names - Finite [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
IntangibleAssets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	5 years	5 years
Trademarks And Trade Names - Finite [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
IntangibleAssets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	20 years	20 years
Technical Library [Member]
IntangibleAssets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	20 years	20 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 400	$ 400
Accumulated Amortization	101	81
Intangible assets, net	299	319
Customer Relationships [Member]
IntangibleAssets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	33,539	31,115
Accumulated Amortization	7,870	4,741
Intangible assets, net	$ 25,669	$ 26,374
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
IntangibleAssets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	6 years	6 years
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
IntangibleAssets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	15 years	15 years
NoncompeteAgreementsMember
IntangibleAssets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	5 years	5 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 40	$ 0
Accumulated Amortization	1	0
Intangible assets, net	$ 39	$ 0
Order Backlog [Member]
IntangibleAssets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	1 year	1 year
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 378	$ 2,412
Accumulated Amortization	176	2,130
Intangible assets, net	$ 202	$ 282
Construction Contract Value [Member]
IntangibleAssets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	1 year	1 year
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 2,184	$ 2,399
Accumulated Amortization	2,056	2,164
Intangible assets, net	$ 128	$ 235

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseAbstract
Amortization Expense Year 1	$ 3,944
Amortization Expense Year 2	3,247
Amortization Expense Year 3	3,515
Amortization Expense Year 4	3,157
Amortization Expense Year 5	2,780
Amortization Expense After Year 5	13,947
FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet	$ 30,590

Commitments And Contingencies (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Commitments And Contingencies (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Accrued Insurance	$ 6,202,000	$ 6,204,000
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	171,000	$ 218,000
Estimated cost of completion of bonded project	50,170,000
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Loss In Period	1,895,000
Loss Contingency Receivable Current	2,500,000
Loss Contingency Contingent Payment	1,500,000
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	6,609,000
Operating Lease Not Yet Commenced Commitment	962,000
Insurance Related [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	6,101,000
Vendor Related [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	508,000
USAMRIID [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Unbilled Change Orders	21,000,000
Contract Revenue Earned To Date	61,146,000
USAMRIID [Member] \| Scenario Forecast [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Unbilled Change Orders	$ 4,500,000

Business Combination (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Business Combination (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Minority Interest Ownership Percentage By Parent	80.00%
Contingent Consideration Fair Value	$ 680	$ 786
Goodwill Tax Basis	1,448
Business Combination Acquired Receivables	1,478
Revenues From Acquisitions	4,965
Operating Income From Acquisitions	(532)
2018 Business Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total Consideration Transferred		7,413
Cash Purchase Consideration	7,091
Additional Consideration To Be Paid		15
Contingent Consideration Fair Value	$ 182
Cash Consideration Paid After Closing Date		125
2017 Business Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total Consideration Transferred		$ 20,979

Business Combination - Assets And Liabilities Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 50,702	$ 46,693	$ 39,936
Current Year Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current Assets	1,767
Property and Equipment	590
Intangible Assets	3,182
Goodwill	4,164
Current Liabilities	(1,580)
Long Term Liabilities	(14)
Deferred Tax Liability	(696)
Net Assets Acquired, less controlling interests	$ 7,413

Quarterly Results Of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Quarterly Results Of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 240,275	$ 232,576	$ 205,677	$ 198,300	$ 206,581	$ 208,323	$ 203,662	$ 192,178	$ 876,828	$ 810,744	$ 695,993
Gross Profit	40,521	42,537	33,840	33,064	38,104	35,398	31,814	35,182	149,962	140,498	126,980
Net Income Attributable to IES Holdings	$ 4,675	$ 8,516	$ 2,221	$ (29,569)	$ 3,146	$ 5,868	$ 536	$ 3,872	$ (14,157)	$ 13,422	$ 120,778
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.22	$ 0.4	$ 0.11	$ (1.39)	$ 0.15	$ 0.27	$ 0.02	$ 0.18	$ (0.67)	$ 0.62	$ 5.63
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.22	$ 0.4	$ 0.11	$ (1.39)	$ 0.14	$ 0.27	$ 0.02	$ 0.18	$ (0.67)	$ 0.62	$ 5.62