| Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2017 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Principles of Consolidation | Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include MasTec, Inc. and its subsidiaries and include the accounts of all majority owned subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control and, when applicable, entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Other parties’ interests in entities that MasTec consolidates are reported as non-controlling interests within equity. Net income or loss attributable to non-controlling interests is reported as a separate line item below net income or loss. The Company’s investments in entities for which the Company does not have a controlling interest, but for which it has the ability to exert significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Equity method investments are recorded as other long-term assets. Income or loss from these investments is recorded as a separate line item in the statements of operations. Intercompany profits or losses associated with the Company’s equity method investments are eliminated until realized by the investee in transactions with third parties. For equity investees in which the Company has an undivided interest in the assets, liabilities and profits or losses of an unincorporated entity, but the Company does not exercise control over the entity, the Company consolidates its proportional interest in the accounts of the entity. The cost method is used for investments in entities for which the Company does not have the ability to exert significant influence. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Management determines whether each business entity in which it has equity interests, debt, or other investments constitutes a variable interest entity (“VIE”) based on the nature and characteristics of such arrangements. If an investment arrangement is determined to be a VIE, then management determines if the Company is the VIE’s primary beneficiary by evaluating several factors, including the Company’s: (i) risks and responsibilities; (ii) ownership interests; (iii) decision making powers; and (iv) financial interests, among other factors. If management determines the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, then it would be consolidated, and other parties’ interests in the VIE would be accounted for as non-controlling interests. The primary beneficiary consolidating the VIE must normally have both (i) the power to direct the primary activities of the VIE and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE, which, in either case, could be significant to the VIE. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company determined that certain of its investment arrangements were VIEs; however, because it does not have the power to direct the primary activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these VIEs, the Company is not the primary beneficiary, and accordingly, has not consolidated these VIEs. |
| Equity Method Investments | The Company’s investments in entities for which the Company does not have a controlling interest, but for which it has the ability to exert significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Equity method investments are recorded as other long-term assets. Income or loss from these investments is recorded as a separate line item in the statements of operations. Intercompany profits or losses associated with the Company’s equity method investments are eliminated until realized by the investee in transactions with third parties. |
| Unicorporated Entities, Proportional Consolidation | For equity investees in which the Company has an undivided interest in the assets, liabilities and profits or losses of an unincorporated entity, but the Company does not exercise control over the entity, the Company consolidates its proportional interest in the accounts of the entity. |
| Cost Method Investments | The cost method is used for investments in entities for which the Company does not have the ability to exert significant influence. |
| Reclassifications | Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. |
| Variable Interest Entities | Management determines whether each business entity in which it has equity interests, debt, or other investments constitutes a variable interest entity (“VIE”) based on the nature and characteristics of such arrangements. If an investment arrangement is determined to be a VIE, then management determines if the Company is the VIE’s primary beneficiary by evaluating several factors, including the Company’s: (i) risks and responsibilities; (ii) ownership interests; (iii) decision making powers; and (iv) financial interests, among other factors. If management determines the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, then it would be consolidated, and other parties’ interests in the VIE would be accounted for as non-controlling interests. The primary beneficiary consolidating the VIE must normally have both (i) the power to direct the primary activities of the VIE and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE, which, in either case, could be significant to the VIE. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company determined that certain of its investment arrangements were VIEs; however, because it does not have the power to direct the primary activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these VIEs, the Company is not the primary beneficiary, and accordingly, has not consolidated these VIEs. |
| Translation of Foreign Currencies | Translation of Foreign Currencies The assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates, with resulting translation gains or losses accumulated within other comprehensive income or loss. Revenue and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at average rates of exchange during the applicable period. Substantially all of the Company’s foreign operations use their local currency as their functional currency. Currency gains or losses resulting from transactions executed in currencies other than the functional currency are included in other income or expense, net. |
| Management Estimates | Management Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions, the results of which form the basis of making judgments about the Company’s operating results and the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Key estimates include: the recognition of revenue and project profit or loss, which the Company defines as project revenue, less project costs of revenue, including project-related depreciation, in particular, on construction contracts accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method, for which the recorded amounts require estimates of costs to complete and the amount of probable contract price adjustments; allowances for doubtful accounts; fair value estimates, including those related to business acquisitions, valuations of goodwill and intangible assets, acquisition-related contingent consideration and equity investments; asset lives used in computing depreciation and amortization; fair values of financial instruments; self-insurance liabilities; other accruals and allowances; income taxes; and the estimated effects of litigation and other contingencies. While management believes that such estimates are reasonable when considered in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations taken as a whole, actual results could differ materially from those estimates. |
| Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition Revenue is derived from construction projects performed under master and other service agreements as well as from contracts for specific projects or jobs requiring the construction and installation of an entire infrastructure system or specified units within an entire infrastructure system. The Company frequently provides services under unit price or fixed price master service or other service agreements. Revenue and related costs for master and other service agreements billed on a time and materials basis are recognized as the services are rendered. Revenue derived from projects performed under master service and other service agreements totaled 36% , 43% and 48% of consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The Company also performs services under master and other service agreements on a fixed fee basis, under which MasTec furnishes specified units of service for a fixed price per unit of service and revenue is recognized as the services are rendered. Revenue from fixed price contracts provides for a fixed amount of revenue for the entire project, subject to certain additions for changed scope or specifications. Revenue from these contracts, as well as for certain projects pursuant to master and other service agreements, is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method, under which the percentage of revenue to be recognized for a given project is measured by the percentage of costs incurred to date on the contract to the total estimated costs for the contract. Such contracts provide that the customer accept completion of progress to date and compensate the Company for services rendered, which may be measured in terms of costs incurred, units installed, hours expended or some other measure of progress. Contract costs include all direct materials, labor and subcontracted costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools, repairs and the operational costs of capital equipment. Much of the materials associated with the Company’s work are customer-furnished and are therefore not included in contract revenue and costs. The estimation process for revenue recognized under the percentage-of-completion method is based on the professional knowledge and experience of the Company’s project managers, engineers and financial professionals. Management reviews estimates of contract revenue and costs on an ongoing basis. Changes in job performance, job conditions and management’s assessment of expected contract settlements are factors that influence estimates of total contract value and total costs to complete those contracts and, therefore, the Company’s profit recognition. Changes in these factors may result in revisions to costs and income, and their effects are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined, which could materially affect the Company’s results of operations in the period in which such changes are recognized. For both the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , project profit was affected by less than 5% as a result of changes in contract estimates included in projects that were in process as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Provisions for losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined to be probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The majority of fixed price contracts are completed within one year. The Company may incur costs subject to change orders, whether approved or unapproved by the customer, and/or claims related to certain contracts. Management determines the probability that such costs will be recovered based upon engineering studies and legal opinions, past practices with the customer, specific discussions, correspondence or preliminary negotiations with the customer. The Company treats such costs as a cost of contract performance in the period incurred if it is not probable that the costs will be recovered, and defers costs or recognizes revenue up to the amount of the related cost if it is probable that the contract price will be adjusted and can be reliably estimated. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had approximately $146 million and $17 million, respectively, of change orders and/or claims that had been included as contract price adjustments on certain contracts that were in the process of being resolved in the normal course of business, including through negotiation, arbitration and other proceedings. These contract price adjustments, which are included within costs and earnings in excess of billings or billed accounts receivable, as appropriate, represent management’s best estimate of contract revenue that has been earned and that management believes is probable of collection. As of both December 31, 2017 and 2016 , these change orders were primarily related to contracts in the Oil and Gas segment. Revenue related to unapproved change orders totaled approximately $142 million and $4 million , respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 . The Company actively engages in substantive meetings with its customers to complete the final approval process, and generally expects these processes to be completed within one year. The amounts ultimately realized upon final acceptance by its customers could be higher or lower than such estimated amounts. Billings In Excess of Costs and Earnings (“BIEC”) on uncompleted contracts is classified within current liabilities. Costs and Earnings In Excess of Billings (“CIEB”), which is also referred to as work in process, is classified within current assets. Work in process on contracts is based on work performed but not yet billed to customers as per individual contract terms. |
| Revenue Recognition, Percentage-of-Completion Method | Revenue from fixed price contracts provides for a fixed amount of revenue for the entire project, subject to certain additions for changed scope or specifications. Revenue from these contracts, as well as for certain projects pursuant to master and other service agreements, is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method, under which the percentage of revenue to be recognized for a given project is measured by the percentage of costs incurred to date on the contract to the total estimated costs for the contract. Such contracts provide that the customer accept completion of progress to date and compensate the Company for services rendered, which may be measured in terms of costs incurred, units installed, hours expended or some other measure of progress. Contract costs include all direct materials, labor and subcontracted costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools, repairs and the operational costs of capital equipment. Much of the materials associated with the Company’s work are customer-furnished and are therefore not included in contract revenue and costs. The estimation process for revenue recognized under the percentage-of-completion method is based on the professional knowledge and experience of the Company’s project managers, engineers and financial professionals. Management reviews estimates of contract revenue and costs on an ongoing basis. Changes in job performance, job conditions and management’s assessment of expected contract settlements are factors that influence estimates of total contract value and total costs to complete those contracts and, therefore, the Company’s profit recognition. Changes in these factors may result in revisions to costs and income, and their effects are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined, which could materially affect the Company’s results of operations in the period in which such changes are recognized. For both the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , project profit was affected by less than 5% as a result of changes in contract estimates included in projects that were in process as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Provisions for losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined to be probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The majority of fixed price contracts are completed within one year. |
| Allowance for Doubtful Accounts | Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. Management analyzes the collectibility of trade accounts receivable and the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts on a regular basis taking into consideration the aging of account balances, historical bad debt experience, customer concentrations, customer credit-worthiness, customer financial condition and credit reports, availability of mechanics’ and other liens, existence of payment bonds and other sources of payment and the current economic environment. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts for anticipated losses of its business units when a business unit has historical experience of losses that are considered to be ordinary course. In addition, an allowance is established when it is probable that a specific receivable is not collectible and the loss can be reasonably estimated. Amounts are written off against the allowance when they are considered to be uncollectible. If estimates of the collectibility of accounts receivable change, or should customers experience unanticipated financial difficulties, or if anticipated recoveries in existing bankruptcies or other work-out situations fail to materialize, additional allowances may be required. Estimates of collectibility are subject to significant change during times of economic weakness or uncertainty in either the overall economy or within the industries served by MasTec. Management actively monitors the economic environment and its impact on MasTec’s customers in connection with its evaluation of the Company’s accounts receivable portfolio and the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts. |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash consisting of interest-bearing demand deposits is carried at cost, which approximates fair value. All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents, which are carried at fair value. On a daily basis, available funds are swept from the Company’s depository accounts into a concentration account and used to repay outstanding revolving loans under the Company’s senior secured credit facility. Cash balances maintained by certain operating subsidiaries and by entities that are proportionately consolidated that are not swept into the concentration account, as well as deposits made subsequent to the daily cash sweep, are classified as cash. Included in the Company’s cash balances as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 are amounts held by entities that are proportionately consolidated totaling $17.3 million and $7.7 million , respectively. These amounts are available to support the operations of those entities, but are not available for the Company’s other operations. The Company generally does not fund its disbursement accounts for checks it has written until the checks are presented to the bank for payment. Outstanding checks that have not yet cleared through the banking system represent book overdrafts, which are classified within accounts payable. There are no compensating balance requirements associated with the Company’s depository accounts and there are no other restrictions on the transfer of cash associated with the Company’s depository accounts. |
| Inventories | Inventories Inventories consist of materials and supplies for construction and installation projects, which are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value using either the average cost or specific identification methods of costing. For materials or supplies purchased on behalf of specific customers or projects, loss of the customer or cancellation of the project could result in an impairment of the value of materials purchased. Technological or market changes can also render certain materials obsolete. Allowances for inventory obsolescence are determined based upon specific facts and circumstances and market conditions. |
| Property and Equipment | Property and equipment are recorded at cost, or, if acquired in a business combination, at the acquisition date fair value. Certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal-use software are capitalized within office furniture and equipment. Depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the term of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. Property and equipment under capital leases are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for betterments and major improvements are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful lives of the assets. The carrying amounts of assets sold or retired and the related accumulated depreciation are eliminated in the year of disposal, with resulting gains or losses included in other income or expense. |
| Finite-Lived Intangible Assets | Acquired intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their useful lives, which are generally based on contractual or legal rights. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized in a manner consistent with the pattern in which the related benefits are expected to be consumed. |
| Impairment of Long-Lived Assets | Management reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If an evaluation is required, the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset are compared with the asset’s carrying amount to determine if there has been an impairment, which is calculated as the difference between the fair value of an asset and its carrying value. Estimates of future undiscounted cash flows are based on expected growth rates for the business, anticipated future economic conditions and estimates of residual values. Fair values take into consideration management’s estimates of risk-adjusted discount rates, which are believed to be consistent with assumptions that marketplace participants would use in their estimates of fair value. |
| Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets | Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets The Company has goodwill and certain indefinite-lived intangible assets that have been recorded in connection with its acquisitions of businesses. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually. The Company performs its annual impairment tests of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets during the fourth quarter of each year, and on a quarterly basis, management monitors these assets for potential impairment triggers. Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below the operating segment level, which is referred to as a component. Management identifies its reporting units by assessing whether components (i) have discrete financial information available; (ii) engage in business activities; and (iii) have a segment manager regularly review the component’s operating results. Net assets and goodwill of acquired businesses are allocated to the reporting unit associated with the acquired business based on the organizational structure of the combined entities. If two or more components are deemed economically similar, those components are aggregated into one reporting unit when performing the annual goodwill impairment review. |
| Valuation of Net Assets Acquired and Earn-Out Liabilities | Valuation of Net Assets Acquired and Earn-Out Liabilities The determination of the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination requires estimates and judgments of future cash flow expectations for the acquired business and the related identifiable tangible and intangible assets. Fair values are calculated using expected cash flows and industry-standard valuation techniques. For current assets and current liabilities, book value is generally assumed to equal fair value. Goodwill is the amount by which consideration paid exceeds the fair value of acquired net assets. Acquisition costs, including acquisition integration costs, are expensed as incurred and are included within general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Consideration paid generally consists of cash, common stock and potential future payments that are contingent upon the acquired business achieving certain levels of earnings in the future, also referred to as “acquisition-related contingent consideration” or “earn-out” payments. Earn-out liabilities are measured at their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition, with subsequent changes in fair value recorded within other income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Fair value as of the date of acquisition is estimated based on projections of expected future cash flows of the acquired business. Subsequent to the date of acquisition, if future earn-out payments are expected to exceed earn-out payments estimated as of the date of acquisition, then a loss would be recognized in the period in which that expectation is considered probable. Conversely, if future earn-out payments are expected to be less than earn-out payments estimated as of the date of acquisition, a gain would be recognized in the period in which that expectation is considered probable. Acquisition-related contingent consideration is included within other current and other long-term liabilities, as appropriate, within the consolidated balance sheets. Due to the time required to gather and analyze the necessary data for each acquisition, U.S. GAAP provides a “measurement period” of up to one year in which to finalize these fair value determinations. During the measurement period, preliminary fair value estimates may be revised if new information is obtained about the facts and circumstances existing as of the date of acquisition based on the final net assets and net working capital of the acquired business, as prescribed in the applicable purchase agreements. Such adjustments may result in the recognition of, or adjust the fair values of, acquisition-related assets and liabilities and/or consideration paid. For the year ended December 31, 2017 , measurement period adjustments included certain adjustments to the preliminary estimates of intangible assets and acquisition-related contingent consideration, and resulted in a net increase of approximately $2.7 million in estimated goodwill for businesses acquired in 2017. Fair value adjustments resulting from circumstances that developed after the date of acquisition are reflected as income or expense, as appropriate, in the period the adjustment is considered probable. |
| Fair Value of Financial Instruments | Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, cash collateral deposited with insurance carriers, life insurance assets, equity investments, deferred compensation plan assets and liabilities, accounts payable and other current liabilities, acquisition-related contingent consideration and debt obligations. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value guidance establishes a valuation hierarchy, which requires maximizing the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of inputs that may be used are: (i) Level 1 - quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; (ii) Level 2 - observable market-based inputs or other observable inputs; and (iii) Level 3 - significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data, which are generally determined using valuation models incorporating management estimates of market participant assumptions. In instances in which the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Management’s assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability. Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using public market prices, quotes from financial institutions and other available information. Due to their short-term maturity, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate their fair values. Management believes the carrying values of notes and other receivables, cash collateral deposited with insurance carriers, deferred compensation plan assets and liabilities and outstanding balances on its credit facilities approximate their fair values. |
| Deferred Financing Costs | Deferred Financing Costs Deferred financing costs relate to the Company’s debt instruments, the short and long-term portions of which are reflected as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt instrument, including the Company’s credit facility. Deferred financing costs are amortized over the terms of the related debt instruments using the effective interest method. |
| Self-Insurance | Self-Insurance The Company is self-insured up to the amount of its deductible for its insurance policies. MasTec maintains insurance policies subject to per claim deductibles of $1.5 million for its workers’ compensation policy, $3.0 million for its general liability policy and $3.0 million for its automobile liability policy. The Company has excess umbrella coverage up to $100.0 million per claim and in the aggregate. Liabilities under these insurance programs are accrued based upon management’s estimates of the ultimate liability for claims reported and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported, with assistance from third-party actuaries. MasTec also maintains an insurance policy with respect to employee group medical claims, which is subject to annual per employee maximum losses of $0.5 million . MasTec’s liability for employee group medical claims is based on statistical analysis of historical claims experience and specific knowledge of actual losses that have occurred. The Company is also required to post letters of credit and provide cash collateral to certain of its insurance carriers and to obtain surety bonds in certain states. Cash collateral deposited with insurance carriers is included in other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The present value of the Company’s self-insurance liability is reflected in the consolidated balance sheets within current and other long-term liabilities, as appropriate. The determination of such claims and expenses and the appropriateness of the related liability is reviewed and updated quarterly, however, these insurance liabilities are difficult to assess and estimate due to unknown factors, including the severity of an injury, the determination of the Company’s liability in proportion to other parties and the number of incidents not reported. Accruals are based upon known facts and historical trends. Although management believes its accruals are adequate, a change in experience or actuarial assumptions could materially affect the Company’s results of operations in a particular period. |
| Income Taxes | Income Taxes The Company records income taxes using the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequence of temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Income taxes are estimated in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. This process involves estimating the tax exposure, together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as deferred revenue, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the consolidated balance sheets as net long-term assets and/or liabilities, as appropriate. The recording of a deferred tax asset assumes the realization of such asset in the future. Otherwise, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the asset to its estimated net realizable value. If management determines that the Company may not be able to realize all or part of a deferred tax asset in the future, a valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset is charged to income tax expense in the period the determination is made. Management considers future pretax income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the estimated net realizable value of tax assets and the corresponding need for a valuation allowance. The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (“ASU 2015-17”) effective January 1, 2017, which changed the classification requirements for deferred tax assets and liabilities. ASU 2015-17 requires long-term classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities, rather than separately classifying deferred tax assets and liabilities based on their net current and non-current amounts, as was required under the previous guidance. The adoption of ASU 2015-17, which was adopted on a prospective basis, did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In determining the provision for income taxes, management uses an effective tax rate based on annual pre-tax income, statutory tax rates, permanent tax differences and tax planning opportunities in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Significant factors that affect the annual effective tax rate include management’s assessment of certain tax matters, the location and amount of taxable earnings, changes in certain non-deductible expenses and expected credits. In December 2017, the 2017 Tax Act was enacted, which includes broad tax reforms that are applicable to the Company. Under the provisions of the 2017 Tax Act, the U.S. corporate tax rate decreased from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. As a result, the Company’s U.S. deferred income tax balances were required to be remeasured in 2017 . The Company completed an initial remeasurement of its deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2017 as a result of this new tax law, which resulted in a non-cash tax benefit of $120.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . The 2017 Tax Act significantly changes how the U.S. taxes corporations for years after 2017, and requires complex computations to be performed that were not previously required under U.S. tax law. The provisions of the 2017 Tax Act will require significant judgments and estimates to be made, and management’s interpretations of these provisions could differ from those of the U.S. Treasury Department or the IRS, which has yet to promulgate most regulations implementing the 2017 Tax Act. As management completes its analysis of the 2017 Tax Act, adjustments to the provisional amounts that have been recorded may be required, which could materially affect the Company’s provision for income taxes in the period of adjustment. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company has not made a provision for U.S. income taxes on unremitted foreign earnings because such earnings are considered to be insignificant. The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in numerous tax jurisdictions, including U.S. federal, most U.S. states and certain foreign jurisdictions. Although management believes its calculations for tax returns are correct and the positions taken thereon are reasonable, the final outcome of income tax examinations could be materially different from the resolution management currently anticipates and the estimates that are reflected in the consolidated financial statements, which could materially affect the Company’s results of operations in a particular period. To the extent interest and penalties are assessed by taxing authorities, such amounts are accrued and included within income tax expense. |
| Unremitted Foreign Earnings | As of December 31, 2017 , the Company has not made a provision for U.S. income taxes on unremitted foreign earnings because such earnings are considered to be insignificant. |
| Stock-Based Compensation | Stock-Based Compensation The Company has certain stock-based compensation plans, under which restricted stock awards and restricted stock units (together “restricted shares”) are available for issuance to eligible employees and directors. Non-cash stock-based compensation expense is included within general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Share-based payments, to the extent they are compensatory, are recognized based on their grant date fair values. Forfeitures are recorded as they occur. The Company records a deferred tax asset, or future tax benefit, based on the amount of share-based compensation recognized in the financial statements over the vesting period of share-based awards. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”) effective January 1, 2017, which changed the accounting for excess tax benefits and deficiencies, which represent the tax effect of differences between the fair value of a share-based award on the date of vesting and the date of grant. Under ASU 2016-09, excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies are recognized in the income statement, rather than as additional paid-in-capital as under the previous guidance, and are presented as operating cash flows, rather than as a financing activity. Additionally, this ASU allowed companies to account for forfeitures of share-based payments as they occur, and increased the amount of tax that can be withheld by an employer for employee tax withholdings without resulting in liability classification of an award. Payments to taxing authorities for such employee withholdings are required to be presented as financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The provisions of ASU 2016-09 that were applicable to the Company were adopted on a prospective basis. The requirement to classify payments to taxing authorities for employee withholdings as a financing activity was consistent with the Company’s existing methodology, therefore did not result in a change. The adoption of ASU 2016-09 is expected to result in volatility in income tax expense given that excess tax benefits and deficiencies are recognized in income tax expense in the periods in which they occur. The other components of this ASU did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. See Note 2 - Earnings Per Share, Note 9 - Stock-Based Compensation and Other Employee Benefit Plans and Note 12 - Income Taxes for additional information. Grants of restricted shares are valued based on the closing market share price of MasTec’s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange (the “market price”) on the date of grant. Compensation expense arising from restricted shares is recognized on a straight line basis over the vesting period. Grants of restricted shares have cliff vesting terms, which generally vest over a period of 3 years. Upon vesting of share-based awards, some of the underlying shares are generally sold to cover the required withholding taxes. However, some participants may choose the net share settlement method to cover withholding tax requirements, in which case shares are not issued, but are treated as common stock repurchases in the consolidated financial statements, as they reduce the number of shares that would have been issued upon vesting. The Company then pays the corresponding withholding taxes to the appropriate taxing authorities in cash on behalf of the recipient. In addition, shares have either been sold or withheld to cover withholding tax requirements and/or to cover the exercise price for past option exercises. Withheld shares, which are valued at the market price on the date of vesting or exercise, as applicable, are recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital and are reflected as a financing activity within the consolidated statements of cash flows. Shares withheld for employee taxes and the exercise price of options totaled approximately 138,519 , 44,988 , and 74,407 for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Total payments for employee tax obligations to taxing authorities for withheld shares were $6.2 million , $0.6 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The Company has certain employee stock purchase plans under which shares of the Company’s common stock are available for purchase by eligible employees. These plans allow qualified employees to purchase MasTec, Inc. common stock at 85% of its fair market value at the lower of (i) the date of commencement of the offering period or (ii) the last day of the exercise period, as defined in the plan documents. The fair value of purchases under the Company’s employee stock purchase plans is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing valuation model. The determination of fair value of stock-based awards using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions pertaining to several variables, including expected stock price volatility, the expected term of the award and the risk-free rate of interest. In the option-pricing model for the Company’s employee stock purchase plans, expected stock price volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The expected term of the award is based on historical and expected exercise patterns and the risk-free rate of interest is based on U.S. Treasury yields. The Company has not paid dividends in the past, and does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future, and therefore uses an expected dividend yield of zero. |
| Collective Bargaining Agreements and Multiemployer Plans | Collective Bargaining Agreements and Multiemployer Plans Certain of MasTec’s subsidiaries, including certain subsidiaries in Canada, are party to various collective bargaining agreements with unions representing certain of their employees. These agreements require the subsidiaries party to the agreements to pay specified wages, provide certain benefits to their union employees and contribute certain amounts to multiemployer pension and other multiemployer benefit plans and trusts (“MEPPs”). These contributions are recorded as a component of employee wages and salaries within costs of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization. Contributions are generally based on fixed amounts per hour per employee for employees covered under these plans. Multiemployer plan contribution rates are determined annually and assessed on a “pay-as-you-go” basis based on union employee payrolls. The Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended, (the “PPA”) requires pension plans that are underfunded to improve their funding ratios within prescribed intervals based on their level of underfunding, under which benefit reductions may apply and/or participating employers could be required to make additional contributions. In addition, if a multiemployer defined benefit plan fails to satisfy certain minimum funding requirements, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may impose on the employers contributing to such plan a non-deductible excise tax of 5% of the amount of the accumulated funding deficiency. Union payrolls cannot be determined for future periods because the number of union employees employed at any given time, and the plans in which they may participate, vary depending upon the location and number of ongoing projects at a given time and the need for union resources in connection with those projects. The collective bargaining agreements expire at various times and have typically been renegotiated and renewed on terms similar to the ones contained in the expiring agreements. Under current law pertaining to employers that are contributors to U.S.-registered multiemployer defined benefit plans, a plan’s termination, an employer’s voluntary withdrawal from, or the mass withdrawal of contributing employers from, an underfunded multiemployer defined benefit plan requires participating employers to make payments to the plan for their proportionate share of the multiemployer plan’s unfunded vested liabilities. These liabilities include an allocable share of the unfunded vested benefits of the plan for all plan participants, not only for benefits payable to participants of the contributing employer. As a result, participating employers may bear a higher proportion of liability for unfunded vested benefits if the other participating employers cease to contribute to, or withdraw from, the plan. The allocable portion of liability to participating employers could be more disproportionate if employers that have withdrawn from the plan are insolvent, or if they otherwise fail to pay their proportionate share of the withdrawal liability. If the Company is subject to a withdrawal liability, the related withdrawal charge is recorded as a component of employee wages and salaries within costs of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization, with any related liability recorded within other current and/or other long-term liabilities, as appropriate. The Company’s participation in the multiemployer pension plans is evaluated by management on an ongoing basis. |
| Restructuring Activities | Restructuring Activities From time to time, the Company may incur costs to streamline its business operations. These streamlining efforts, which are designed to improve profitability, could include eliminating service offerings that no longer fit into the Company’s business plan, certain integration activities for acquired businesses, reducing or eliminating services or operations that do not produce adequate revenue or margins, or reducing costs of business units that need margin improvements. The costs associated with these efforts, which we refer to as restructuring charges, include such items as employee separation costs, lease termination expenses and losses on disposal of excess fixed assets. When these efforts are related to circumstances that are significant, unique in nature and outside of the course of the Company’s normal and periodic business streamlining efforts, the related amount of restructuring charges included within the consolidated financial statements is aggregated and accompanied by a discussion of the nature of such restructuring activities. Restructuring charges are included within the applicable line item(s) in the consolidated statement of operations based on the nature of the expense incurred. |
| Litigation and Contingencies | Litigation and Contingencies Accruals for litigation and contingencies are reflected in the consolidated financial statements based on management’s assessment, including advice of legal counsel, of the expected outcome of litigation or other dispute resolution proceedings and/or the expected resolution of contingencies. Liabilities for estimated losses are accrued if the potential loss from any claim or legal proceeding is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required in both the determination of probability of loss and the determination as to whether the amount is reasonably estimable. Accruals are based only on information available at the time of the assessment due to the uncertain nature of such matters. As additional information becomes available, management reassesses potential liabilities related to pending claims and litigation and may revise its previous estimates, which could materially affect the Company’s results of operations in a given period. |
| New Accounting Pronouncements | New Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Pronouncements To Be Adopted in 2018 Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). The core principle of this ASU is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use judgment and make estimates when evaluating contract terms and other relevant facts and circumstances. Additionally, ASU 2014-09 requires enhanced disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which delayed the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. In 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued several accounting standards updates to clarify certain topics within ASU 2014-09, and to update certain other topics within the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) to conform with the new guidance in Topic 606. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09, and its related ASUs, under the modified retrospective transition approach as of January 1, 2018, which applies to all new contracts initiated on or after January 1, 2018. For existing contracts that have not been substantially completed as of January 1, 2018, any difference between the recognition criteria in these ASUs and the Company’s current revenue recognition practices will be recognized using a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2018. The Company’s assessment of the effects of Topic 606 on its consolidated financial statements, financial statement disclosures, business processes, systems and controls included a detailed review of representative contracts at each of the Company’s business units and a comparison of its historical accounting policies and practices to Topic 606 as well as the information necessary to enable the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures under the new standard, including its information technology capabilities and systems. Based on the Company’s review of its revenue arrangements, the Company expects to recognize revenue and earnings over time utilizing the cost-to-cost measure of progress for its fixed price contracts and certain master service and other service agreements, consistent with current practice. For these contracts, the cost-to-cost measure of progress best depicts the transfer of control of goods or services to the customer under Topic 606. Contracts recognized over time are typically comprised of a single performance obligation as the promise to transfer the individual goods or services is not distinct from other promises in the contract due to the significant integration services provided by the Company in connection with its contracts. For certain contracts governed by a master service or other service agreement, revenue will be recognized at the point in time when control has been transferred to the customer, which is generally when the work order has been fulfilled, as control is not continuously transferred to the customer as the services are provided. Contract modifications are routine in the performance of the Company’s contracts and are typically evidenced by a change order. In most instances, change orders relate to adjustments to prices and the scope of services provided, which are not distinct from the scope of services in the original contract. Therefore, change orders will typically be accounted for on a cumulative catch-up basis under Topic 606, consistent with the Company’s current practice. The Company’s future disclosures related to revenue recognition will include information about unsatisfied performance obligations and expectations of the timing of recognition for those obligations. The disclosure pertaining to unsatisfied performance obligations will be in addition to the Company’s existing unaudited backlog disclosure, which represents the amount of revenue the Company expects to recognize over the next 18 months. The future disclosure pertaining to unsatisfied performance obligations will include the full amount of any unsatisfied performance obligations, as compared with only the amount expected to be recognized over the next 18 months, and it will exclude estimates of future revenue under master service and other service agreements. Additionally, in the future, the Company’s disclosures will reflect the amount of contract assets and contract liabilities, as calculated on a by-contract basis. Based on the Company’s evaluation of its systems and information technology capabilities, the Company does not expect to incur significant information technology costs to modify its systems to be able to achieve the preparation and disclosure requirements of the new standard, however, has implemented targeted changes to its internal reporting processes to facilitate gathering the data needed for the reporting and disclosure requirements. The Company also implemented a training program for its business units related to implementation of Topic 606 and continues to develop the required disclosures. The Company has also implemented updates to its control processes and procedures based on changes resulting from Topic 606. The adoption of Topic 606 is not expected to have a material effect on the timing or amount of revenue recognized as compared to current practices, or to have a material effect on the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. Based on review of existing contracts that have not been substantially completed as of January 1, 2018, the Company has estimated that the cumulative adjustment to beginning retained earnings resulting from the adoption of Topic 606 will not be material. Other Accounting Pronouncements To Be Adopted in 2018 In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 eliminates the second step in goodwill impairment testing, which requires that goodwill impairment losses be measured as the difference between the implied value of a reporting unit’s goodwill and its carrying amount. ASU 2017-04, which the Company early adopted as of January 1, 2018, is expected to reduce the cost and complexity of impairment testing by requiring goodwill impairment losses to be measured as the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill and related goodwill tax effects, over its fair value. Beginning in 2018, if the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied value, the resulting amount of goodwill impairment recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements could differ from the amount of goodwill impairment that would have been recorded prior to adoption of this ASU. Additionally, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”) in January 2017. ASU 2017-01 changes the definition of a business for purposes of evaluating whether a transaction represents an acquisition (or disposal) of assets or a business. The revised definition of a business under ASU 2017-01 will reduce the number of transactions that are accounted for as business combinations. ASU 2017-01, which the Company adopted as of January 1, 2018, is not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. In May 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting (“ASU 2017-09”). ASU 2017-09 clarifies when a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as a modification. Limited and administrative modifications that do not change the value, vesting conditions, or classification of the award are exempt from following the modification guidance in Topic 718. This ASU, which the Company adopted as of January 1, 2018, is not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16 , Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (“ASU 2016-16”), which eliminates the existing exception in U.S. GAAP prohibiting the recognition of the income tax consequences for intra-entity asset transfers. Under ASU 2016-16, entities will be required to recognize the income tax consequences of intra-entity asset transfers, other than for inventory, when the transfer occurs. ASU 2016-16, which the Company adopted as of January 1, 2018, will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”) to reduce diversity in practice by providing guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows . This ASU, which the Company adopted as of January 1, 2018, is effective on a retrospective basis, and will result in the reclassification of certain types of activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows, as applicable to the prior year periods, beginning in 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2017, acquisition-related contingent consideration payments in excess of acquisition date liabilities totaling approximately $12 million will be reclassified from financing to operating cash flows. Proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims related to damaged property and equipment, which are required to be reclassified from operating to investing cash flows, were not material for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 or 2015. The other provisions of this ASU are not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”), which provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial assets and financial liabilities. ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments with readily determinable fair values, except for those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that are consolidated, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values are permitted to be remeasured upon the occurrence of an observable price change or upon identification of an impairment. ASU 2016-01 also requires enhanced disclosures for such investments and modifies certain other disclosure requirements. This ASU, which the Company adopted as of January 1, 2018, is effective on a modified retrospective basis, with exception for the amendments related to equity investments without readily determinable fair values, which is effective prospectively. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 may result in volatility in other income (expense), net, as a result of the remeasurement requirements for equity investments; however, the Company does not expect such changes to be material. The other components of this ASU are not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2018-02”) . ASU 2018-02 permits entities to reclassify the tax effects related to the change in the federal tax rate as a result of the 2017 Tax Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The guidance may be applied retrospectively or in the period of adoption. ASU 2018-02 is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (“ASU 2017-12”). ASU 2017-12 amends the hedge accounting model in Topic 815 to enable entities to better portray the economics of their risk management activities in the financial statements and enhance the transparency and understandability of hedge results. The guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. The guidance also simplifies certain documentation and assessment requirements. ASU 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. All transition requirements and elections should be applied to hedging relationships existing on the date of adoption and their effects should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The presentation and disclosure requirements are effective on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Subtopic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 provides revised guidance for lease accounting and related disclosure requirements, including a requirement for lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for certain operating leases. Under the previous guidance, lessees were not required to recognize assets and liabilities for operating leases on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Modified retrospective application is required for all relevant prior periods. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements, including the potential amount of incremental lease assets and liabilities that are expected to be recognized upon adoption. |
| Comprehensive Income | Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) is a measure of net income (loss) and other changes in equity that result from transactions other than those with shareholders. Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss), foreign currency translation adjustments, primarily from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, unrealized gains and losses from investment activities and net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests. |
| Income Tax Uncertainties | An entity may only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a "more likely than not" threshold. In the ordinary course of business, there is inherent uncertainty in quantifying income tax positions. The Company assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based on management's evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company has recognized the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the Company's financial statements. |
