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DEI Document - shares	9 Months Ended
DEI Document - shares	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019
DEI [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	IES Holdings, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001048268
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		21,216,036
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 13,104	$ 26,247
Accounts receivable	176,527	151,578
Retainage	27,358	24,312
Inventories	24,350	20,966
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings	34,807	31,446
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8,876	8,144
Total current assets	285,022	262,693
Property and equipment, net	26,410	25,364
Goodwill	50,622	50,702
Intangible assets, net	27,535	30,590
Deferred tax assets	43,424	46,580
Other non-current assets	5,351	6,065
Total assets	438,364	421,994
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	150,406	130,591
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings	35,859	33,826
Total current liabilities	186,265	164,417
Long-term debt	9,915	29,564
Other non-current liabilities	1,926	4,374
Total liabilities	198,106	198,355
Noncontrolling interest	3,245	3,232
Preferred stock, value	0	0
Common stock, value	220	220
Treasury stock, value	(11,357)	(8,937)
Additional paid-in capital	192,389	196,810
Retained earnings	55,761	32,314
Total stockholders' equity	237,013	220,407
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 438,364	$ 421,994

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	$ 949	$ 868
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 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 or Stated Value Per Share	$ 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	21,218,854	21,205,536
Treasury Stock, Shares	830,675	843,993

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 282,633	$ 232,576	$ 783,389	$ 636,553
Cost of services	236,236	190,039	652,156	527,112
Gross profit	46,397	42,537	131,233	109,441
Selling, general and administrative expenses	36,333	32,372	103,489	92,108
Contingent consideration	(163)	81	(278)	152
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	(8)	(5)	87	(39)
Operating income (loss)	10,235	10,089	27,935	17,220
Interest expense	451	513	1,533	1,427
Other (income) expense, net	(64)	(111)	(129)	(252)
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes	9,848	9,687	26,531	16,045
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(1,207)	1,038	3,036	34,622
Net income (loss)	11,055	8,649	23,495	(18,577)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(83)	(133)	(150)	(255)
Comprehensive income attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	$ 10,972	$ 8,516	$ 23,345	$ (18,832)
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.52	$ 0.40	$ 1.10	$ (0.89)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.52	$ 0.40	$ 1.09	$ (0.89)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	21,043,425	21,200,635	21,139,697	21,193,306
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	21,301,235	21,331,883	21,382,178	21,193,306

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 236,704	$ 220	$ 6,898	$ 196,955	$ 46,427
Shares, Issued at Sep. 30, 2017		22,049,529	712,554
Restricted stock grant			$ 5	(5)
Restricted stock grant, shares			520
Acquisition of treasury stock	(2,059)		$ (2,059)
Acquisition of treasury stock, shares			(133,459)
Options exercised	11		$ 15	(4)
Options exercised, shares			1,500
Non-cash compensation	(395)			(395)
Decrease in noncontrolling interest	44				44
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	(18,832)				(18,832)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Jun. 30, 2018	215,473	$ 220	$ 8,937	196,551	27,639
Shares, Issued at Jun. 30, 2018		22,049,529	843,993
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Mar. 31, 2018	208,070	$ 220	$ 8,108	196,835	19,123
Shares, Issued at Mar. 31, 2018		22,049,529	790,351
Acquisition of treasury stock	(829)		$ (829)
Acquisition of treasury stock, shares			(53,642)
Non-cash compensation	(284)			(284)
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	8,516				8,516
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Jun. 30, 2018	215,473	$ 220	$ 8,937	196,551	27,639
Shares, Issued at Jun. 30, 2018		22,049,529	843,993
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Sep. 30, 2018	220,407	$ 220	$ 8,937	196,810	32,314
Shares, Issued at Sep. 30, 2018		22,049,529	843,993
Issuances under compensation plans			$ 2,323	(2,323)
Issuances under compensation plans, shares			216,679
Restricted stock grant			$ 3,582	(3,582)
Restricted stock grant, shares			283,195
Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of new accounting standard	102				102
Acquisition of treasury stock	(8,325)		$ (8,325)
Acquisition of treasury stock, shares			(486,556)
Non-cash compensation	1,484			1,484
Decrease in noncontrolling interest	0
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	23,345				23,345
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Jun. 30, 2019	237,013	$ 220	$ 11,357	192,389	55,761
Shares, Issued at Jun. 30, 2019		22,049,529	830,675
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Mar. 31, 2019	228,145	$ 220	$ 8,443	191,579	44,789
Shares, Issued at Mar. 31, 2019		22,049,529	667,682
Acquisition of treasury stock	(2,914)		$ (2,914)
Acquisition of treasury stock, shares			(162,993)
Non-cash compensation	810			810
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	10,972				10,972
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 237,013	$ 220	$ 11,357	$ 192,389	$ 55,761
Shares, Issued at Jun. 30, 2019		22,049,529	830,675

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 23,495	$ (18,577)
Bad debt expense	209	250
Deferred financing cost amortization	236	214
Depreciation and amortization	7,200	6,706
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	87	(39)
Non-cash compensation expense	1,484	(395)
Deferred income taxes	3,036	34,622
Accounts receivable	(25,158)	4,992
Inventories	(3,491)	(1,721)
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings	(3,362)	(8,990)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(3,567)	(1,645)
Other non-current assets	(869)	270
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	20,132	(6,862)
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings	1,979	(4,019)
Other non-current liabilities	(1,114)	172
Net cash provided by operating activities	20,297	4,978
Purchases of property and equipment	(5,172)	(3,383)
Proceeds from sale of assets	68	107
Cash paid in conjunction with business combinations	0	(5,981)
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,104)	(9,257)
Borrowings of debt	22,468	99
Repayments of debt	(42,342)	(136)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(137)	(235)
Purchase of treasury stock	(8,325)	(2,058)
Options exercised	0	11
Net cash used in financing activities	(28,336)	(2,319)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(13,143)	(6,598)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS and RESTRiCTED CASH, beginning of period	26,247	28,290
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS and RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	13,104	21,692
Cash paid for interest	1,405	1,227
Cash paid for income taxes (net)	$ 1,321	$ 2,313

Business

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]

1. BUSINESS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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 subsidiaries.

Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations

Results of operations from our Residential construction segment are seasonal, depending on weather trends, with typically higher revenues generated during spring and summer and lower revenues generated during fall and winter, with an impact from precipitation in the warmer months. The Commercial & Industrial, Communications and Infrastructure Solutions segments of our business are less subject to seasonal trends, as work in these segments generally is performed inside structures protected from the weather, although weather can still impact these businesses, especially in the early stages of projects. Our service and maintenance business is generally not affected by seasonality. Our volume of business may be adversely affected by declines in construction projects resulting from adverse regional or national economic conditions. Quarterly results may also be materially affected by the timing of new construction projects. Results for our Infrastructure Solutions segment may be affected by the timing of outages at our customers’ facilities. Accordingly, operating results for any fiscal period are not necessarily indicative of results that may be achieved for any subsequent fiscal period.

Basis of Financial Statement Preparation

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of IES, our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and entities that we control due to ownership of a majority of voting interest and have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to interim financial reporting as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. These interim financial statements do not include all disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto filed with the SEC in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. In the opinion of management, the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report include all known accruals and adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods reported herein. Any such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

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 an 80 percent interest in each of the entities, with the remaining 20 percent interest in each such entity being retained by the respective third party seller. The interests retained by those third party sellers are identified on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as noncontrolling interest, classified outside of permanent equity. Under the terms of each entity’s operating agreement, after five years from the date of the acquisition, we may elect to purchase, or the third party seller may require us to purchase, part or all of the remaining 20 percent interest in the applicable entity. 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 Accounting Standards Codification (“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 June 30, 2019, the redemption amount would have been $2,446. For the nine months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded an increase to retained earnings of $44 to decrease the carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest in STR Mechanical to the balance determined under ASC 810, as, if it had been redeemable at June 30, 2018, the redemption amount would have been less than the carrying amount.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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.

Income Taxes

For the nine months ended June 30, 2019, our effective tax rate differed from the statutory rate as a result of a benefit of $4,020 related to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits. 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 was a blended rate of 24.53% and decreased to 21% in 2019. For the nine months ended June 30, 2018, our effective tax rate differed from the statutory tax rate as a result of a charge of $31,506 to re-measure our deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect the impact of the new statutory tax rate, slightly offset by a benefit of $1,840 related to the reversal of unrecognized tax benefits. The Company completed its accounting for the income tax effects of the Act and fully recorded the impact in the year ended September 30, 2018.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update 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 on our Balance Sheet for all 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 be accounted for similar to current capital leases. ASU 2016-02 becomes effective for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. We are currently evaluating the impact it will have on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. We anticipate the adoption will result in a significant amount of lease right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities being recorded on our balance sheets. We plan to adopt this standard on October 1, 2019 and will apply the transition method that allows the recognition of a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings on such date.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires companies to consider historical experiences, current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts in the measurement of expected credit losses, with further clarifications made in April 2019 and May 2019 with the issuances of Accounting Standard Updates No. 2019-04 and 2019-05. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods within those fiscal years, although early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact it will have on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. We plan to adopt this standard on October 1, 2020.

In June 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2018-07, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASU 2018-07”), 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 GAAP because the measurement generally will occur earlier and will be fixed at the grant date. This update is effective for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.

In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement Disclosure Framework (“ASU 2018-13”), 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 2018-07 or ASU 2018-13 to have a material effect on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and we plan to adopt these standards on October 1, 2019 and October 1, 2020, respectively.

Accounting Standards Recently Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2014-09, which provides a single comprehensive accounting standard for revenue recognition for contracts with customers and supersedes prior industry-specific guidance. The new standard requires companies to recognize revenue when control of promised goods or services is transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled. The new model requires companies to identify contractual performance obligations and determine whether revenue should be recognized at a point in time or over time for each obligation. The new standard also expands disclosure requirements regarding revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

We adopted the new revenue recognition standard on October 1, 2018 (“Adoption Date”), using the modified retrospective method, which provides for a cumulative effect adjustment to beginning fiscal 2019 retained earnings for uncompleted contracts impacted by the adoption. We recorded an adjustment of $102 to beginning fiscal 2019 retained earnings as a result of adoption of the new standard. The changes to the method and/or timing of our revenue recognition associated with the new standard primarily affect revenue recognition within our Infrastructure Solutions segment for which, as of October 1, 2018, certain of our contracts do not qualify for revenue recognition over time. In addition, we have now combined in process contracts that historically had been accounted for as separate contracts in cases where those contracts meet the criteria for combination of contracts under the new standard, and we now capitalize certain commissions which were previously expensed when incurred. The impact on our results for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019, of applying the new standard to our contracts was not material.

Consistent with our adoption method, the comparative prior period information for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, continues to be reported using the previous accounting standards in effect for the period presented. We have elected to utilize the modified retrospective transition practical expedient that allows us to evaluate the impact of contract modifications as of the Adoption Date rather than evaluating the impact of the modifications at the time they occurred prior to the Adoption Date.

See Note 3, “Revenue Recognition” for additional discussion of our revenue recognition accounting policies and expanded disclosures.

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2016‑01, Financial Instruments. 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 Accounting Standard Update No. 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. Our adoption of this standard on October 1, 2018 had no impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 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. Our adoption of this standard on October 1, 2018 using the prospective transition method had no impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation, to reduce the diversity in practice and the cost and complexity when changing the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. Our adoption of this standard on October 1, 2018 using the prospective transition method had no impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Controlling Shareholder	9 Months Ended
Controlling Shareholder	Jun. 30, 2019
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Controlling Shareholder [Text Block]	2. CONTROLLING STOCKHOLDER Tontine Associates, L.L.C. and its affiliates (collectively, “Tontine”), is the Company’s controlling stockholder, owning approximately 57.4 percent of the Company’s outstanding common stock according to a Form 4 filed with the SEC by Tontine on July 3, 2019. Accordingly, Tontine has the ability to exercise significant control over our affairs, including the election of directors and most actions requiring the approval of stockholders. While Tontine is subject to certain 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 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 our Board of Directors since February 2012, and who previously served as Interim Director of Operations from November 2017 to January 2019, as Vice Chairman of the Board from November 2016 to November 2017 and as 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, L.L.C. for corporate office space in Greenwich, Connecticut. On May 1, 2019, the sublease was extended for a six month term expiring December 31, 2019, with an increase in the monthly rent to $9, reflecting the increase paid by Tontine Associates, L.L.C. to its landlord. 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. 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 Letter 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 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 Letter 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 the Company’s directors.

Revenue Recognition

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue [Abstract]

Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]

3. REVENUE RECOGNITION

Contracts

Our revenue is derived from contracts with customers, and we determine the appropriate accounting treatment for each contract at contract inception. Our contracts primarily relate to electrical and mechanical contracting services, technology infrastructure products and services, and electro-mechanical solutions for industrial operations. Revenue is earned based upon an agreed fixed price or actual costs incurred plus an agreed upon percentage.

We account for a contract when: (i) it has approval and commitment from both parties, (ii) the rights of the parties are identified, (iii) payment terms are identified, (iv) the contract has commercial substance, and (v) collectability of consideration is probable. We consider the start of a project to be when the above criteria have been met and we have written authorization from the customer to proceed.

Performance Obligations

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied.

We recognize revenue over time for the majority of the services we perform as (i) control continuously transfers to the customer as work progresses at a project location controlled by the customer and (ii) we have the right to bill the customer as costs are incurred. Within our Infrastructure Solutions segment, we often perform work inside our own facilities, where control does not continuously transfer to the customer as work progresses. In such cases, we evaluate whether we have the right to bill the customer as costs are incurred. Such assessment involves an evaluation of contractual termination clauses. Where we have a contractual right to payment for work performed to date, we recognize revenue over time. If we do not have such a right, we recognize revenue upon completion of the contract, when control of the work transfers to the customer.

For fixed price arrangements, we use the percentage of completion method of accounting under which revenue recognized is measured principally by the costs incurred and accrued to date for each contract as a percentage of the estimated total cost for each contract at completion. Contract costs include all direct material, labor and indirect costs related to contract performance. 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 estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. This measurement and comparison process requires updates to the estimate of total costs to complete the contract, and these updates may include subjective assessments and judgments.

Variable Consideration

The transaction price for our contracts may include variable consideration, which includes increases to transaction price for approved and unapproved change orders, claims and incentives, and reductions to transaction price for liquidated damages. Change orders, claims and incentives are generally not distinct from the existing contract due to the significant integration service provided in the context of the contract and are accounted for as a modification of the existing contract and performance obligation. We estimate variable consideration for a performance obligation at the probability weighted value we expect to receive (or the most probable amount we expect to incur in the case of liquidated damages, if any), utilizing estimation methods that best predict the amount of consideration to which we will be entitled (or will be incurred in the case of liquidated damages, if any). We include variable consideration in the estimated transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur or when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Our estimates of variable consideration and determination of whether to include estimated amounts in transaction price are based largely on an assessment of our anticipated performance and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available to us. The effect of variable consideration on the transaction price of a performance obligation is recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis. To the extent unapproved change orders and claims reflected in transaction price (or excluded from transaction price in the case of liquidated damages) are not resolved in our favor, or to the extent incentives reflected in transaction price are not earned, there could be reductions in, or reversals of, previously recognized revenue.

Costs of Obtaining a Contract

In certain of our operations, we incur commission costs related to entering into a contract that we only incurred because of that contract. When this occurs, we capitalize that cost and amortize it over the expected term of the contract. At June 30, 2019, we had capitalized commission costs of $96.

We generally do not incur significant incremental costs related to obtaining or fulfilling a contract prior to the start of a project. When significant pre‑contract costs are incurred, they will be capitalized and amortized on a percentage of completion basis over the life of the contract.

Disaggregation of Revenue

We disaggregate our revenue from contracts with customers by activity and contract type, as these categories reflect how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Our consolidated 2019 and 2018 revenue was derived from the following service activities. See details in the following tables:



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Commercial & Industrial	$	75,370	$	78,156	$	227,928	$	196,747
Communications	90,438		54,368		230,200		159,071
Infrastructure Solutions
Industrial Services	12,339		11,417		36,707		32,874
Custom Power Solutions	23,770		13,439		63,331		37,533
Total	36,109		24,856		100,038		70,407
Residential
Single-family	54,200		51,028		156,168		139,235
Multi-family and Other	26,516		24,168		69,055		71,093
Total	80,716		75,196		225,223		210,328
Total Revenue	$	282,633	$	232,576	$	783,389	$	636,553



	Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
		Commercial & Industrial		Communications		Infrastructure Solutions		Residential		Total
Fixed-price		$	70,917	$	65,219	$	29,925	$	80,716	$	246,777
Time-and-material			4,453		25,219		6,184		—		35,856
Total revenue		$	75,370	$	90,438	$	36,109	$	80,716	$	282,633

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
		Commercial & Industrial		Communications		Infrastructure Solutions		Residential		Total
Fixed-price		$	68,762	$	42,927	$	19,865	$	75,196	$	206,750
Time-and-material			9,394		11,441		4,991		—		25,826
Total revenue		$	78,156	$	54,368	$	24,856	$	75,196	$	232,576

	Nine Months Ended June 30, 2019
		Commercial & Industrial		Communications		Infrastructure Solutions		Residential		Total
Fixed-price		$	213,214	$	162,650	$	87,566	$	225,223	$	688,653
Time-and-material			14,714		67,550		12,472		—		94,736
Total revenue		$	227,928	$	230,200	$	100,038	$	225,223	$	783,389

	Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018
		Commercial & Industrial		Communications		Infrastructure Solutions		Residential		Total
Fixed-price		$	175,866	$	124,428	$	60,172	$	210,328	$	570,794
Time-and-material			20,881		34,643		10,235		—		65,759
Total revenue		$	196,747	$	159,071	$	70,407	$	210,328	$	636,553

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable include amounts which we have billed or have an unconditional right to bill our customers. As of June 30, 2019, Accounts receivable included $10,617 of unbilled receivables for which we have an unconditional right to bill.

Contract Assets and Liabilities

Project contracts typically provide for a schedule of billings on percentage of completion of specific tasks inherent in the fulfillment of our performance obligation(s). The schedules for such billings usually do not precisely match the schedule on which costs are incurred. As a result, contract revenue recognized in the statement of operations can and usually does differ from amounts that can be billed to the customer at any point during the contract. Amounts by which cumulative contract revenue recognized on a contract as of a given date exceed cumulative billings and unbilled receivables to the customer under the contract are reflected as a current asset in our balance sheet under the caption “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings”. To the extent amounts by which cumulative billings to the customer under a contract as of a given date exceed cumulative contract revenue recognized are reflected as a current liability in our balance sheet under the caption “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings”.

The net asset (liability) position for contracts in process consisted of the following:



	June 30,			September 30,
	2019			2018
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	$	720,469		$	539,226
Less: Billings to date and unbilled accounts receivable		(721,521	)		(541,606	)
	$	(1,052	)	$	(2,380	)

The net asset (liability) position for contracts in process included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets was as follows:



	June 30,			September 30,
	2019			2018
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings	$	34,807		$	31,446
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings		(35,859	)		(33,826	)
	$	(1,052	)	$	(2,380	)

During the three months ended June 30, 2019, and 2018, we recognized revenue of $18,472 and $15,076 related to our contract liabilities at April 1, 2019 and 2018, respectively. During the nine months ended June 30, 2019, and 2018, we recognized revenue of $28,816 and $28,627 related to our contract liabilities at October 1, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

We did not have any impairment losses recognized on our receivables or contract assets for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019 or 2018.

Remaining Performance Obligations

Remaining performance obligations represent the unrecognized revenue value of our contract commitments. New awards represent the total expected revenue value of new contract commitments undertaken during a given period, as well as additions to the scope of existing contract commitments. Our new performance obligations vary significantly each reporting period based on the timing of our major new contract commitments. At June 30, 2019, we had remaining performance obligations of $487. The Company expects to recognize revenue on approximately $387 of the remaining performance obligations over the next 12 months, with the remaining recognized thereafter.

For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019, net revenue recognized from our performance obligations satisfied in previous periods was not material.

Debt	9 Months Ended
Debt	Jun. 30, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	4. DEBT At June 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, our long-term debt of $9,915 and $29,564, respectively, primarily related to amounts drawn on our revolving credit facility. Our weighted-average annual interest rate on these borrowings was 4.48% at June 30, 2019, and 3.86% at September 30, 2018. At June 30, 2019, we also had $6,551 in outstanding letters of credit and total availability of $85,024 under our revolving credit facility without violating our financial covenants. Pursuant to our Second Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), the Company is subject to the financial or other covenants disclosed in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2018. Effective May 20, 2019, the Company entered into a Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement, which permits the Company to repurchase up to 1.0 million additional shares of common stock pursuant to its previously authorized stock repurchase program for an aggregate purchase price (including for any remaining shares under the previous share repurchase authorization) not to exceed $25,000. There have been no other changes to the financial or other covenants disclosed in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2018. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants as of June 30, 2019. At June 30, 2019, 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.

Per Share Information

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

5. PER SHARE INFORMATION

The following tables reconcile the components of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019, and 2018:



	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2019		2018
Numerator:
Net income attributable to common stockholders of IES Holdings, Inc.	$	10,826	$	8,513
Net income attributable to restricted stockholders of IES Holdings, Inc.		146		3
Net income attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	$	10,972	$	8,516

Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic		21,043,425		21,200,635
Effect of dilutive stock options and non-vested restricted stock		257,810		131,248
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding — diluted		21,301,235		21,331,883

Earnings per share attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.:
Basic	$	0.52	$	0.40
Diluted	$	0.52	$	0.40

	Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2019		2018
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of IES Holdings, Inc.	$	23,210	$	(18,788	)
Decrease in noncontrolling interest		—		(44	)
Net income (loss) attributable to restricted stockholders of IES Holdings, Inc.		135		—
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	$	23,345	$	(18,832	)

Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic		21,139,697		21,193,306
Effect of dilutive stock options and non-vested restricted stock		242,481		—
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding — diluted		21,382,178		21,193,306

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.:
Basic	$	1.10	$	(0.89)
Diluted	$	1.09	$	(0.89)

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 nine months ended June 30, 2018. The number of potential anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation was 211,669 shares. For the three months ended June 30, 2018, and the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019, 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.

Operating Segments

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

6. 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 purpose of allocating resources and assessing performance. The Company’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer.

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 three and nine months ended June 30, 2019, and 2018 is as follows:



		Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
		Commercial & Industrial			Communications		Infrastructure Solutions			Residential		Corporate			Total
Revenues		$	75,370		$	90,438	$	36,109		$	80,716	$	—		$	282,633
Cost of services		69,171			75,044		27,671			64,350		—			236,236
Gross profit		6,199			15,394		8,438			16,366		—			46,397
Selling, general and administrative		6,827			8,406		4,937			11,812		4,351			36,333
Contingent consideration		—			—		(163		)	—		—			(163		)
Loss (gain) on sale of assets		(4		)	—		(4		)	—		—			(8		)
Operating income (loss)		(624		)	6,988		3,668			4,554		(4,351		)	10,235
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense	$	652		$	339	$	1,122		$	218	$	23		$	2,354
	Capital expenditures	$	507		$	74	$	311		$	329	$	22		$	1,243
	Total assets	$	81,693		$	111,270	$	118,143		$	57,866	$	69,392		$	438,364



		Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
		Commercial & Industrial			Communications		Infrastructure Solutions		Residential		Corporate			Total
Revenues		$	78,156		$	54,368	$	24,856	$	75,196	$	—		$	232,576
Cost of services		67,839			43,436		18,701		60,063		—			190,039
Gross profit		10,317			10,932		6,155		15,133		—			42,537
Selling, general and administrative		6,980			7,193		4,568		10,941		2,690			32,372
Contingent consideration		—			—		81		—		—			81
Loss (gain) on sale of assets		(6		)	—		1		—		—			(5		)
Operating income (loss)		3,343			3,739		1,505		4,192		(2,690		)	10,089
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense	$	548		$	595	$	1,120	$	156	$	18		$	2,437
	Capital expenditures	$	715		$	119	$	112	$	110	$	—		$	1,056
	Total assets	$	86,012		$	67,270	$	102,233	$	52,500	$	87,948		$	395,963



		Nine Months Ended June 30, 2019
			Commercial & Industrial			Communications		Infrastructure Solutions			Residential			Corporate			Total
Revenues			$	227,928		$	230,200	$	100,038		$	225,223		$	—		$	783,389
Cost of services			204,263			190,895		78,227			178,771			—			652,156
Gross profit			23,665			39,305		21,811			46,452			—			131,233
Selling, general and administrative			20,906			23,006		14,103			34,136			11,338			103,489
Contingent consideration			—			—		(278		)	—			—			(278		)
Loss (gain) on sale of assets			(8		)	—		97			(2		)	—			87
Operating income (loss)			2,767			16,299		7,889			12,318			(11,338		)	27,935
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense		$	1,907		$	1,180	$	3,391		$	644		$	78		$	7,200
	Capital expenditures		$	1,974		$	767	$	1,133		$	1,174		$	124		$	5,172
	Total assets		$	81,693		$	111,270	$	118,143		$	57,866		$	69,392		$	438,364



		Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018
			Commercial & Industrial			Communications			Infrastructure Solutions		Residential			Corporate			Total
Revenues			$	196,747		$	159,071		$	70,407	$	210,328		$	—		$	636,553
Cost of services			175,066			129,667			54,543		167,836			—			527,112
Gross profit			21,681			29,404			15,864		42,492			—			109,441
Selling, general and administrative			19,624			19,478			13,762		30,995			8,249			92,108
Contingent consideration			—			—			152		—			—			152
Loss (gain) on sale of assets			(35		)	(9		)	6		(1		)	—			(39		)
Operating income (loss)			2,092			9,935			1,944		11,498			(8,249		)	17,220
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense		$	1,632		$	1,030		$	3,503	$	452		$	89		$	6,706
	Capital expenditures		$	1,638		$	592		$	457	$	696		$	—		$	3,383
	Total assets		$	86,012		$	67,270		$	102,233	$	52,500		$	87,948		$	395,963

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Jun. 30, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity and Share-based Payments [Text Block]	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 847,891 shares were available for issuance at June 30, 2019. Stock Repurchase Program In 2015, our Board of Directors 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, and on May 2, 2019, authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 1.0 million shares of our common stock under the stock repurchase program. 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 162,993 and 398,947 shares, respectively, of our common stock during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019, in open market transactions at an average price of $17.88 and $17.11, respectively, per share. We repurchased 20,810 and 100,627 shares of our common stock during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, in open market transactions at an average price of $15.45 and $15.41 per share. Treasury Stock During the nine months ended June 30, 2019, we issued 212,688 shares of common stock from treasury stock to employees and repurchased 87,609 shares of common stock from our employees to satisfy statutory tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of certain performance phantom stock units under the Equity Incentive Plan. We also repurchased 398,947 shares of common stock on the open market pursuant to our stock repurchase program. We issued 3,991 shares of treasury stock as payment for outstanding phantom stock units that vested upon the departure of the Company’s President and issued 283,195 shares out of treasury stock for restricted shares granted upon the appointment of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) in March 2019. During the nine months ended June 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 nine months ended June 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 of common stock to satisfy the exercise of outstanding options for employees. Restricted Stock On March 4, 2019, we granted 283,195 restricted shares, pursuant to four award agreements, in conjunction with the appointment of the Company’s CEO. These awards include restricted shares subject to the achievement of specified levels of cumulative net income before taxes or specified stock price levels, as well as shares that vest based on the passage of time. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019, we recognized $333 and $443, respectively, in compensation expense related to these restricted stock awards. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, we recognized $11 and $256, respectively, in compensation expense related to restricted stock awards granted in prior years. At June 30, 2019, the unamortized compensation cost related to outstanding unvested restricted stock was $3,352. Phantom Stock Units Director phantom stock units (“Director PSUs”) are primarily granted to the members of the Board of Directors as part of their overall compensation. These Director PSUs are paid via unrestricted stock grants to each director upon their departure from the Board of Directors or upon a change of control. We record compensation expense for the full value of the grant on the date of grant. During the three months ended June 30, 2019, and 2018, we recognized $100 and $49, respectively, in compensation expense related to these grants. During the nine months ended June 30, 2019, and 2018, we recognized $200 and $140, 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. On February 6, 2019, the Company granted an additional 230,274 PPSUs, of which 59,924 shares were subsequently forfeited in conjunction with the departure of the Company’s President. At June 30, 2019, the Company had outstanding an aggregate of 170,350 PPSUs. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019, we recognized $427 and $892 in compensation expense, respectively, related to these grants. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, we recognized a benefit to compensation expense of $343 and $792, respectively, related to these grants. This benefit was the result of a reduction in the estimated number of units deemed probable of vesting based on the projected achievement of specified performance objectives.

Securities and Equity Investments	9 Months Ended
Securities and Equity Investments	Jun. 30, 2019
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]	8. SECURITIES AND EQUITY INVESTMENTS Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes receivable, investments, accounts payable and a loan agreement. We believe that the carrying value of these financial instruments in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets approximates their fair value due to their short-term nature. At June 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, we carried a cost method investment at $408 and $558, respectively, which is equal to our cost less impairment.

Employee Benefit Plans (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Notes)	Jun. 30, 2019
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]	9. 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 and full-time employees of participating subsidiaries 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. During the three months ended June 30, 2019, and 2018, we recognized $538 and $466, respectively, in matching expense. During the nine months ended June 30, 2019, and 2018, we recognized $1,561 and $1,380, respectively, in matching expense. Post Retirement Benefit Plans Certain individuals at one of the Company’s locations are entitled to receive fixed annual payments pursuant to post retirement benefit plans. We had an unfunded benefit liability of $710 and $755 recorded as of June 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, respectively, related to such plans.

Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair Value Measurement Accounting

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.

At June 30, 2019, financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were limited to our Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, under which certain employees are permitted to defer a portion of their base salary and/or bonus for a Plan Year (as defined in the plan), and contingent consideration liabilities related to certain of our acquisitions.

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, are summarized in the following tables by the type of inputs applicable to the fair value measurements:



	June 30, 2019
			Total Fair Value			Quoted Prices (Level 1)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Executive savings plan assets		$	773		$	773		$	—
Executive savings plan liabilities			(656	)		(656	)		—
Contingent consideration			(108	)		—			(108	)
Total		$	9		$	117		$	(108	)



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

In fiscal years 2016, 2017 and 2018, we entered into contingent consideration arrangements related to certain acquisitions. At June 30, 2019, we estimated the fair value of these contingent consideration liabilities at $108. The table below presents a reconciliation of the fair value of these obligations, which used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).



		Contingent Consideration Agreements
Fair value at September 30, 2018	$	680
Settlements		(295	)
Net adjustments to fair value		(277	)
Fair value at June 30, 2019	$	108

- 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

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]

11. INVENTORY

Inventories consist of the following components:



	June 30,		September 30,
	2019		2018
Raw materials	$	4,447	$	4,453
Work in process		6,171		5,168
Finished goods		1,726		1,746
Parts and supplies		12,006		9,599
Total inventories	$	24,350	$	20,966

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

12. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

The following is a progression of goodwill by segment for the nine months ended June 30, 2019:



	Commercial & Industrial		Communications		Infrastructure Solutions			Residential		Total
Goodwill at September 30, 2018	$	6,976	$	2,816	$	30,931		$	9,979	$	50,702
Divestitures (See Note 14)		—		—		(119	)		—		(119	)
Adjustments		—		—		—			39		39
Goodwill at June 30, 2019	$	6,976	$	2,816	$	30,812		$	10,018	$	50,622

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following:



	Estimated Useful Lives (in Years)	June 30, 2019
	Estimated Useful Lives (in Years)		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net
Trademarks/trade names	5-20	$	5,084	$	(1,163	)	$	3,921
Technical library	20		400		(116	)		284
Customer relationships	6-15		33,539		(10,256	)		23,283
Non-competition arrangements	5		40		(7	)		33
Backlog	1		378		(362	)		16
Construction contracts	1		221		(223	)		(2	)
Total intangible assets		$	39,662	$	(12,127	)	$	27,535



	Estimated Useful Lives (in Years)	September 30, 2018
	Estimated Useful Lives (in Years)		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated 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 intangible assets		$	41,625	$	(11,035	)	$	30,590

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Jun. 30, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	13. 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. 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 June 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, we had $6,218 and $6,202, respectively, accrued for self-insurance liabilities. We are also subject to construction defect liabilities, primarily within our Residential segment. As of June 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, we had $97 and $171, 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 June 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, $6,351 and $6,101, respectively, of our outstanding letters of credit was utilized to collateralize our insurance program. Surety As of June 30, 2019, the estimated cost to complete our bonded projects was approximately $89,753. 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. 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 June 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, $200 and $508, respectively, 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 June 30, 2019, we had no such material commitments.

Business Combinations and Divestitures	9 Months Ended
Business Combinations and Divestitures	Jun. 30, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND DIVESTITURES In March 2019, our management committed to a plan for the sale of substantially all of the operating assets at one of our operating facilities within the Infrastructure Solutions segment. In connection with the plan, we allocated $119 of goodwill to the disposal group. In conjunction with the write down of these assets to their net realizable value of $450, we recognized a loss of $101, recorded within “Loss (gain) on sale of assets” within our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended June 30, 2019. The sale of these assets to a third party was completed in May 2019.

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Commercial & Industrial	$	75,370	$	78,156	$	227,928	$	196,747
Communications	90,438		54,368		230,200		159,071
Infrastructure Solutions
Industrial Services	12,339		11,417		36,707		32,874
Custom Power Solutions	23,770		13,439		63,331		37,533
Total	36,109		24,856		100,038		70,407
Residential
Single-family	54,200		51,028		156,168		139,235
Multi-family and Other	26,516		24,168		69,055		71,093
Total	80,716		75,196		225,223		210,328
Total Revenue	$	282,633	$	232,576	$	783,389	$	636,553



	Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
		Commercial & Industrial		Communications		Infrastructure Solutions		Residential		Total
Fixed-price		$	70,917	$	65,219	$	29,925	$	80,716	$	246,777
Time-and-material			4,453		25,219		6,184		—		35,856
Total revenue		$	75,370	$	90,438	$	36,109	$	80,716	$	282,633

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
		Commercial & Industrial		Communications		Infrastructure Solutions		Residential		Total
Fixed-price		$	68,762	$	42,927	$	19,865	$	75,196	$	206,750
Time-and-material			9,394		11,441		4,991		—		25,826
Total revenue		$	78,156	$	54,368	$	24,856	$	75,196	$	232,576

	Nine Months Ended June 30, 2019
		Commercial & Industrial		Communications		Infrastructure Solutions		Residential		Total
Fixed-price		$	213,214	$	162,650	$	87,566	$	225,223	$	688,653
Time-and-material			14,714		67,550		12,472		—		94,736
Total revenue		$	227,928	$	230,200	$	100,038	$	225,223	$	783,389

	Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018
		Commercial & Industrial		Communications		Infrastructure Solutions		Residential		Total
Fixed-price		$	175,866	$	124,428	$	60,172	$	210,328	$	570,794
Time-and-material			20,881		34,643		10,235		—		65,759
Total revenue		$	196,747	$	159,071	$	70,407	$	210,328	$	636,553

Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block]

The net asset (liability) position for contracts in process consisted of the following:



	June 30,			September 30,
	2019			2018
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	$	720,469		$	539,226
Less: Billings to date and unbilled accounts receivable		(721,521	)		(541,606	)
	$	(1,052	)	$	(2,380	)

The net asset (liability) position for contracts in process included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets was as follows:



	June 30,			September 30,
	2019			2018
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings	$	34,807		$	31,446
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings		(35,859	)		(33,826	)
	$	(1,052	)	$	(2,380	)

Per Share Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]



	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2019		2018
Numerator:
Net income attributable to common stockholders of IES Holdings, Inc.	$	10,826	$	8,513
Net income attributable to restricted stockholders of IES Holdings, Inc.		146		3
Net income attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	$	10,972	$	8,516

Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic		21,043,425		21,200,635
Effect of dilutive stock options and non-vested restricted stock		257,810		131,248
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding — diluted		21,301,235		21,331,883

Earnings per share attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.:
Basic	$	0.52	$	0.40
Diluted	$	0.52	$	0.40

	Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2019		2018
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of IES Holdings, Inc.	$	23,210	$	(18,788	)
Decrease in noncontrolling interest		—		(44	)
Net income (loss) attributable to restricted stockholders of IES Holdings, Inc.		135		—
Net income (loss) attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	$	23,345	$	(18,832	)

Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic		21,139,697		21,193,306
Effect of dilutive stock options and non-vested restricted stock		242,481		—
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding — diluted		21,382,178		21,193,306

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.:
Basic	$	1.10	$	(0.89)
Diluted	$	1.09	$	(0.89)

Operating Segments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

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



		Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
		Commercial & Industrial			Communications		Infrastructure Solutions			Residential		Corporate			Total
Revenues		$	75,370		$	90,438	$	36,109		$	80,716	$	—		$	282,633
Cost of services		69,171			75,044		27,671			64,350		—			236,236
Gross profit		6,199			15,394		8,438			16,366		—			46,397
Selling, general and administrative		6,827			8,406		4,937			11,812		4,351			36,333
Contingent consideration		—			—		(163		)	—		—			(163		)
Loss (gain) on sale of assets		(4		)	—		(4		)	—		—			(8		)
Operating income (loss)		(624		)	6,988		3,668			4,554		(4,351		)	10,235
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense	$	652		$	339	$	1,122		$	218	$	23		$	2,354
	Capital expenditures	$	507		$	74	$	311		$	329	$	22		$	1,243
	Total assets	$	81,693		$	111,270	$	118,143		$	57,866	$	69,392		$	438,364



		Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
		Commercial & Industrial			Communications		Infrastructure Solutions		Residential		Corporate			Total
Revenues		$	78,156		$	54,368	$	24,856	$	75,196	$	—		$	232,576
Cost of services		67,839			43,436		18,701		60,063		—			190,039
Gross profit		10,317			10,932		6,155		15,133		—			42,537
Selling, general and administrative		6,980			7,193		4,568		10,941		2,690			32,372
Contingent consideration		—			—		81		—		—			81
Loss (gain) on sale of assets		(6		)	—		1		—		—			(5		)
Operating income (loss)		3,343			3,739		1,505		4,192		(2,690		)	10,089
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense	$	548		$	595	$	1,120	$	156	$	18		$	2,437
	Capital expenditures	$	715		$	119	$	112	$	110	$	—		$	1,056
	Total assets	$	86,012		$	67,270	$	102,233	$	52,500	$	87,948		$	395,963



		Nine Months Ended June 30, 2019
			Commercial & Industrial			Communications		Infrastructure Solutions			Residential			Corporate			Total
Revenues			$	227,928		$	230,200	$	100,038		$	225,223		$	—		$	783,389
Cost of services			204,263			190,895		78,227			178,771			—			652,156
Gross profit			23,665			39,305		21,811			46,452			—			131,233
Selling, general and administrative			20,906			23,006		14,103			34,136			11,338			103,489
Contingent consideration			—			—		(278		)	—			—			(278		)
Loss (gain) on sale of assets			(8		)	—		97			(2		)	—			87
Operating income (loss)			2,767			16,299		7,889			12,318			(11,338		)	27,935
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense		$	1,907		$	1,180	$	3,391		$	644		$	78		$	7,200
	Capital expenditures		$	1,974		$	767	$	1,133		$	1,174		$	124		$	5,172
	Total assets		$	81,693		$	111,270	$	118,143		$	57,866		$	69,392		$	438,364



		Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018
			Commercial & Industrial			Communications			Infrastructure Solutions		Residential			Corporate			Total
Revenues			$	196,747		$	159,071		$	70,407	$	210,328		$	—		$	636,553
Cost of services			175,066			129,667			54,543		167,836			—			527,112
Gross profit			21,681			29,404			15,864		42,492			—			109,441
Selling, general and administrative			19,624			19,478			13,762		30,995			8,249			92,108
Contingent consideration			—			—			152		—			—			152
Loss (gain) on sale of assets			(35		)	(9		)	6		(1		)	—			(39		)
Operating income (loss)			2,092			9,935			1,944		11,498			(8,249		)	17,220
Other data:
	Depreciation and amortization expense		$	1,632		$	1,030		$	3,503	$	452		$	89		$	6,706
	Capital expenditures		$	1,638		$	592		$	457	$	696		$	—		$	3,383
	Total assets		$	86,012		$	67,270		$	102,233	$	52,500		$	87,948		$	395,963

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

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



	June 30, 2019
			Total Fair Value			Quoted Prices (Level 1)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Executive savings plan assets		$	773		$	773		$	—
Executive savings plan liabilities			(656	)		(656	)		—
Contingent consideration			(108	)		—			(108	)
Total		$	9		$	117		$	(108	)



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

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]



		Contingent Consideration Agreements
Fair value at September 30, 2018	$	680
Settlements		(295	)
Net adjustments to fair value		(277	)
Fair value at June 30, 2019	$	108

Inventory (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]

Inventories consist of the following components:



	June 30,		September 30,
	2019		2018
Raw materials	$	4,447	$	4,453
Work in process		6,171		5,168
Finished goods		1,726		1,746
Parts and supplies		12,006		9,599
Total inventories	$	24,350	$	20,966

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]



	Commercial & Industrial		Communications		Infrastructure Solutions			Residential		Total
Goodwill at September 30, 2018	$	6,976	$	2,816	$	30,931		$	9,979	$	50,702
Divestitures (See Note 14)		—		—		(119	)		—		(119	)
Adjustments		—		—		—			39		39
Goodwill at June 30, 2019	$	6,976	$	2,816	$	30,812		$	10,018	$	50,622

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]



	Estimated Useful Lives (in Years)	June 30, 2019
	Estimated Useful Lives (in Years)		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net
Trademarks/trade names	5-20	$	5,084	$	(1,163	)	$	3,921
Technical library	20		400		(116	)		284
Customer relationships	6-15		33,539		(10,256	)		23,283
Non-competition arrangements	5		40		(7	)		33
Backlog	1		378		(362	)		16
Construction contracts	1		221		(223	)		(2	)
Total intangible assets		$	39,662	$	(12,127	)	$	27,535



	Estimated Useful Lives (in Years)	September 30, 2018
	Estimated Useful Lives (in Years)		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated 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 intangible assets		$	41,625	$	(11,035	)	$	30,590

Business (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Business (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	80.00%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	20.00%
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Redemption Value	$ 2,446
Noncontrolling Interest, Change in Redemption Value	0	$ 44
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ 4,020	1,840
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	21.00%		24.53%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Amount		$ 31,506
Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of new accounting standard	$ 102

Controlling Shareholder (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Controlling Shareholder (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
ControllingShareholderOwnershipPercentage	57.40%
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$ 9

Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
Capitalized Contract Cost, Net	$ 96		$ 96
Unbilled Receivables, Current	10,617		10,617
Estimated profits on contracts in process	720,469		720,469		$ 539,226
Billings to Date	(721,521)		(721,521)		(541,606)
Contract with Customer, Asset, Net, Current	(1,052)		(1,052)		(2,380)
Costs in Excess of Billings, Current	34,807		34,807		31,446
Billings in Excess of Cost, Current	(35,859)		(35,859)		$ (33,826)
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	18,472	$ 15,076	28,816	$ 28,627
Performance Obligation Next 12 Months	387		387
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	487		487
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	282,633	232,576	783,389	636,553
Commercial and Industrial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	75,370	78,156	227,928	196,747
Communications [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	90,438	54,368	230,200	159,071
Infrastructure Solutions [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	36,109	24,856	100,038	70,407
Residential [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	80,716	75,196	225,223	210,328
Fixed-price Contract [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	246,777	206,750	688,653	570,794
Fixed-price Contract [Member] \| Commercial and Industrial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	70,917	68,762	213,214	175,866
Fixed-price Contract [Member] \| Communications [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	65,219	42,927	162,650	124,428
Fixed-price Contract [Member] \| Infrastructure Solutions [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	29,925	19,865	87,566	60,172
Fixed-price Contract [Member] \| Residential [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	80,716	75,196	225,223	210,328
Time-and-materials Contract [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	35,856	25,826	94,736	65,759
Time-and-materials Contract [Member] \| Commercial and Industrial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	4,453	9,394	14,714	20,881
Time-and-materials Contract [Member] \| Communications [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	25,219	11,441	67,550	34,643
Time-and-materials Contract [Member] \| Infrastructure Solutions [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	6,184	4,991	12,472	10,235
Time-and-materials Contract [Member] \| Residential [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
industrial Services [Member] \| Infrastructure Solutions [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	12,339	11,417	36,707	32,874
Custom Power Solutions [Member] \| Infrastructure Solutions [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	23,770	13,439	63,331	37,533
Single Family Contracts [Member] \| Residential [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	54,200	51,028	156,168	139,235
Multi Family and Other [Member] \| Residential [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 26,516	$ 24,168	$ 69,055	$ 71,093

Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	Jun. 30, 2019	May 20, 2019	May 02, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term debt	$ 9,915			$ 29,564
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	4.48%			3.86%
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 6,551
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$ 85,024
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	1.5	1.0	1.0
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount		$ 25,000

Per Share Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders, Basic	$ 10,826	$ 8,513	$ 23,210	$ (18,788)
Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease)				(44)
Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Basic	146	3	135	0
Comprehensive income attributable to IES Holdings, Inc.	$ 10,972	$ 8,516	$ 23,345	$ (18,832)	$ (18,832)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	21,043,425	21,200,635	21,139,697	21,193,306
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements	257,810	131,248	242,481	0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	21,301,235	21,331,883	21,382,178	21,193,306
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.52	$ 0.40	$ 1.10	$ (0.89)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.52	$ 0.40	$ 1.09	$ (0.89)
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount				211,669

Operating Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Operating Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 282,633	$ 232,576	$ 783,389	$ 636,553
Cost of services	236,236	190,039	652,156	527,112
Gross profit	46,397	42,537	131,233	109,441
Selling, general and administrative expenses	36,333	32,372	103,489	92,108
Contingent consideration	(163)	81	(278)	152
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	(8)	(5)	87	(39)
Operating income (loss)	10,235	10,089	27,935	17,220
Depreciation and amortization expense	2,354	2,437	7,200	6,706
Capital expenditures	1,243	1,056	5,172	3,383
Total assets	438,364	395,963	438,364	395,963	$ 421,994
Commercial and Industrial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	75,370	78,156	227,928	196,747
Cost of services	69,171	67,839	204,263	175,066
Gross profit	6,199	10,317	23,665	21,681
Selling, general and administrative expenses	6,827	6,980	20,906	19,624
Contingent consideration	0	0	0	0
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	(4)	(6)	(8)	(35)
Operating income (loss)	(624)	3,343	2,767	2,092
Depreciation and amortization expense	652	548	1,907	1,632
Capital expenditures	507	715	1,974	1,638
Total assets	81,693	86,012	81,693	86,012
Communications [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	90,438	54,368	230,200	159,071
Cost of services	75,044	43,436	190,895	129,667
Gross profit	15,394	10,932	39,305	29,404
Selling, general and administrative expenses	8,406	7,193	23,006	19,478
Contingent consideration	0	0	0	0
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	0	0	0	(9)
Operating income (loss)	6,988	3,739	16,299	9,935
Depreciation and amortization expense	339	595	1,180	1,030
Capital expenditures	74	119	767	592
Total assets	111,270	67,270	111,270	67,270
Infrastructure Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	36,109	24,856	100,038	70,407
Cost of services	27,671	18,701	78,227	54,543
Gross profit	8,438	6,155	21,811	15,864
Selling, general and administrative expenses	4,937	4,568	14,103	13,762
Contingent consideration	(163)	81	(278)	152
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	(4)	1	97	6
Operating income (loss)	3,668	1,505	7,889	1,944
Depreciation and amortization expense	1,122	1,120	3,391	3,503
Capital expenditures	311	112	1,133	457
Total assets	118,143	102,233	118,143	102,233
Residential [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	80,716	75,196	225,223	210,328
Cost of services	64,350	60,063	178,771	167,836
Gross profit	16,366	15,133	46,452	42,492
Selling, general and administrative expenses	11,812	10,941	34,136	30,995
Contingent consideration	0	0	0	0
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	0	0	(2)	(1)
Operating income (loss)	4,554	4,192	12,318	11,498
Depreciation and amortization expense	218	156	644	452
Capital expenditures	329	110	1,174	696
Total assets	57,866	52,500	57,866	52,500
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Cost of services	0	0	0	0
Gross profit	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	4,351	2,690	11,338	8,249
Contingent consideration	0	0	0	0
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	0	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(4,351)	(2,690)	(11,338)	(8,249)
Depreciation and amortization expense	23	18	78	89
Capital expenditures	22	0	124	0
Total assets	$ 69,392	$ 87,948	$ 69,392	$ 87,948

Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	May 20, 2019	May 02, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000,000		100,000,000				100,000,000
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	847,891		847,891
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	1,500,000		1,500,000		1,000,000	1,000,000
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$ 17.88	$ 15.45	$ 17.11	$ 15.41
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Shares Withheld for Tax Withholding Obligation			87,609	32,832
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount	$ 3,352		$ 3,352
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period			59,924
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense	333	$ 11	$ 443	$ 256
Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense	100	49	$ 200	140
Performance Based Phantom Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period			230,274
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense	$ 427	$ 343	$ 892	$ 792
Treasury Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	162,993	53,642	486,556	133,459
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period			212,688
Treasury Stock [Member] \| Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period			3,991
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period				1,500
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonemployee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period				520
Share Repurchase Program [Domain]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	162,993	20,810	398,947	100,627
Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	3,000,000		3,000,000
Chief Executive Officer [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period			283,195
Chief Executive Officer [Member] \| Performance Based Phantom Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	170,350		170,350

Securities and Equity Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Cost Method Investments	$ 408	$ 558

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost	$ 538	$ 466	$ 1,561	$ 1,380
Liability, Defined Benefit Plan	$ 710		$ 710		$ 755

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 773	$ 747
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(656)	(631)
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Noncurrent	(108)	(680)
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	9	(564)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	108	680
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements	(295)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	(277)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	773	747
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(656)	(631)
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	117	116
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Noncurrent	(108)	(680)
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)	$ (108)	$ (680)

Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory, Raw Materials, Gross	$ 4,447	$ 4,453
Inventory, Work in Process, Gross	6,171	5,168
Inventory, Finished Goods, Gross	1,726	1,746
Other Inventory, Gross	12,006	9,599
Inventory, Net	$ 24,350	$ 20,966

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 50,702
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	(119)
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	39
Goodwill	50,622
Commercial and Industrial [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	6,976
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0
Goodwill	6,976
Residential [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	9,979
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	39
Goodwill	10,018
Infrastructure Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	30,931
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	(119)
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0
Goodwill	30,812
Communications [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	2,816
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0
Goodwill	$ 2,816

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 39,662	$ 41,625
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(12,127)	(11,035)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	27,535	30,590
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	5,084	5,084
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,163)	(831)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 3,921	$ 4,253
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years	5 years
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	20 years	20 years
Technical Library
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	20 years	20 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 400	$ 400
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(116)	(101)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	284	299
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	33,539	33,539
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(10,256)	(7,870)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 23,283	$ 25,669
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	6 years	6 years
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years	15 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years	5 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 40	$ 40
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(7)	(1)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 33	$ 39
Backlog [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	1 year	1 year
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 378	$ 378
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(362)	(176)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 16	$ 202
Construction Contracts [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	1 year	1 year
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 221	$ 2,184
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(223)	(2,056)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ (2)	$ 128

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued Insurance, Current	$ 6,218	$ 6,202
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	97	171
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	6,551
Estimated cost of completion of bonded projects	89,753
Insurance Related [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	6,351	6,101
Vendor Related [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 200	$ 508

Business Combinations and Divestitures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	$ (8)	$ (5)	$ 87	$ (39)
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit			119
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets	$ 450		450
Visalia [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss (gain) on sale of assets			$ 101