| Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies | Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives, Inc. (f/k/a M III Acquisition Corporation (“M III”)), a Delaware corporation, is a holding company organized on August 4, 2015 (together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, “IEA” or the “Company”). On March 26, 2018 (the “Closing Date”), the Company consummated a merger (the “Merger”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 3, 2017 (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among M III, IEA Energy Services, LLC (“IEA Services”), a Delaware limited liability company, Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives, LLC (the “Seller”), a Delaware limited liability company and the parent of IEA Services immediately prior to such time, and the other parties thereto, which provided for, among other things, the merger of IEA Services with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of M III. Following the Merger, M III Acquisition Corporation changed its name to Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives, Inc. See Note 2. Merger, Acquisitions and Discontinued Operations for more information about the Merger. On September 25, 2018, IEA Services completed its acquisition of Consolidated Construction Solutions I LLC (“CCS”), a provider of environmental and industrial engineering services through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Saiia LLC (“Saiia”) and American Civil Constructors LLC (the “ACC Companies”). On November 2, 2018, IEA Services completed its acquisition of William Charles Construction Group, including its wholly-owned subsidiary Ragnar Benson (“William Charles”), a provider of engineering and construction solutions for the rail infrastructure and heavy civil construction industries. See Note 2. Merger, Acquisitions and Discontinued Operations for further discussion of these acquisitions. The Company specializes in providing complete engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) services throughout the United States (“U.S.”) for the renewable energy, traditional power and civil infrastructure industries. These services include the design, site development, construction, installation and restoration of infrastructure. Although the Company has historically focused on the wind industry, its recent acquisitions have expanded its construction capabilities and geographic footprint in the areas of renewables, environmental remediation, industrial maintenance, specialty paving, heavy civil and rail infrastructure construction, creating a diverse national platform of specialty construction capabilities. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives, Inc. and its wholly-owned direct and indirect domestic and foreign subsidiaries: IEA Intermediate Holdco, LLC (“Holdings”), IEA Services, IEA Management Services, Inc., IEA Constructors, Inc. (f/k/a IEA Renewable, Inc.), White Construction, Inc. (“White”), White Electrical Constructors, Inc., IEA Equipment Management, Inc., White’s wholly-owned subsidiary H.B. White Canada Corp. (“H.B. White”), and from their date of acquisition, CCS and William Charles. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The Company operates in one reportable segment, providing EPC services. Operations prior to the Merger are the historical operations of IEA Services as discussed in Note 2. Merger, Acquisitions and Discontinued Operations . Basis of Accounting and Use of Estimates The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”). The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Key estimates include: the recognition of revenue and project profit or loss (which the Company defines as project revenue less project cost of revenue), in particular, on construction contracts accounted for under the percentage-of completion method, for which the recorded amounts require estimates of costs to complete projects, ultimate project profit and the amount of probable contract price adjustments as inputs; fair value estimates, including those related to acquisitions and contingent consideration; valuations of goodwill and intangible assets; asset lives used in computing depreciation and amortization; accrued self-insured claims; other reserves and accruals; accounting for income taxes; and the estimated impact of contingencies and ongoing litigation. While management believes that such estimates are reasonable when considered in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations, actual results could differ materially from those estimates. “Emerging Growth Company” Reporting Requirements The Company qualifies as an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”). For as long as a company is deemed to be an “emerging growth company,” it may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other regulatory requirements that are generally unavailable to other public companies. Among other things, the Company is not required to provide an auditor attestation report on the assessment of the internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. The Company has elected to take advantage of this extended transition period. The Company's financial statements may therefore not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards. The Company would cease to be an “emerging growth company” upon the earliest of: • the last day of the fiscal year following July 6, 2021, the five-year anniversary of the completion of M III's initial public offering; • the last day of the fiscal year in which the Company's total annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion; • the date on which the Company has, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt securities; or • the date on which the Company becomes a “large accelerated filer,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which would occur if the market value of the Company's common stock held by nonaffiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last day of its most recently completed second fiscal quarter. The Company continues to monitor its status as an “emerging growth company” and is currently preparing, and expects to be ready to comply with, the additional reporting and regulatory requirements that will be applicable when it ceases to qualify as an “emerging growth company.” Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all unrestricted, highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash and cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances, which, at times, may exceed the amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Accounts Receivable The Company does not accrue interest to its customers and carries its customer receivables at their face amounts, less an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable include amounts billed to customers under the terms and provisions of the contracts. Most billings are determined based on contractual terms. Included in accounts receivable are balances billed to customers pursuant to retainage provisions in certain contracts that are due upon completion of the contract and acceptance by the customer, or earlier as provided by the contract. As is common practice in the industry, the Company classifies all accounts receivable, including retainage, as current assets. The contracting cycle for certain long-term contracts may extend beyond one year, and accordingly, collection of retainage on those contracts may extend beyond one year. Accounts receivable include amounts billed to customers under retention provisions in construction contracts. Such provisions are standard in the Company’s industry and usually allow for a small portion of progress billings on the contract price, typically 10%, to be withheld by the customer until after the Company has completed work on the project. Based on the Company’s experience with similar contracts in recent years, billings for such retention balances at each balance sheet date are finalized and collected after project completion. Generally, unbilled amounts will be billed and collected within one year. The Company determined that there are no material amounts due past one year and no material amounts billed but not collected within one year. The Company grants trade credit, on a non-collateralized basis, to its customers and is subject to potential credit risk related to changes in business and overall economic activity. The Company analyzes specific accounts receivable balances, historical bad debts, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment terms when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. In the event that a customer balance is deemed to be uncollectible, the account balance is written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Revenue Recognition Revenue under construction contracts is accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Under the percentage-of-completion method, the Company estimates profit as the difference between total estimated revenue and total estimated cost of a contract and recognizes that profit over the contract term based on costs incurred. 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, depreciation and the operational costs of capital equipment. The Company also has unit-price contracts that were not significant as of December 31, 2018. 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. Revenue derived from projects billed on a fixed-price basis totaled 96.2% , 97.8% and 90.4% of consolidated revenue from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Revenue and related costs for construction contracts billed on a time and materials basis are recognized as the services are rendered. Revenue derived from projects billed on a time and materials basis totaled 3.8% , 2.2% and 9.6% of consolidated revenue from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. For an approved change order which can be reliably estimated as to price, the anticipated revenues and costs associated with the change order are added to the total contract value and total estimated costs of the project, respectively. When costs are incurred for a) an unapproved change order which is probable to be approved or b) an approved change order which cannot be reliably estimated as to price, the total anticipated costs of the change order are added to both the total contract value and total estimated costs for the project. Once a change order becomes approved and reliably estimable, any margin related to the change order is added to the total contract value of the project. 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 a year. The amounts ultimately realized upon final acceptance by its customers could be higher or lower than such estimated amounts. Provisions for losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses become evident. 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 and specific discussions, correspondence and/or preliminary negotiations with the customer. The Company had the following approximate revenue and accounts receivable concentrations, net of allowances, for the periods ended: Revenue % Accounts Receivable % Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 Interstate Power and Light Company 21.0 % * * 20.0 % * Union Pacific Railroad * * * 19.0 % * Trishe Wind Ohio, LLC * * * * 17.0 % Thunder Ranch Wind Project, LLC * 21.0 % * * 15.0 % Twin Forks Wind Farm, LLC * 11.0 % * * * Bruenning's Breeze Wind Farm, LLC * 11.0 % * * * EDF Renewable Development, Inc. * 14.0 % 11.0 % * 11.0 % Cimarron Bend Wind Project, LLC * * 17.0 % * * Osborn Wind Energy, LLC * * 11.0 % * * ——— * Amount was not above 10% threshold. Classification of Construction Contract-Related Assets and Liabilities Contract costs include all direct subcontract, material and labor costs, and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools, insurance, repairs, maintenance, communications and use of Company-owned equipment. Contract revenues are earned and matched with related costs as incurred. Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts are presented as a current asset in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts are presented as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s contracts vary in duration, with the duration of some larger contracts exceeding one year. Consistent with industry practice, the Company includes the amounts realizable and payable under contracts, which may extend beyond one year, in current assets and current liabilities. These balances are generally settled within one year. Self-Insurance The Company is self-insured up to the amount of its deductible for its medical and workers’ compensation insurance policies. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 , the Company maintained insurance policies subject to per claim deductibles of $0.5 million , for its workers' compensation policy. 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. The Company’s liability for employee group medical claims is based on 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. The Company’s self-insurance liability is reflected in the consolidated balance sheets within accrued liabilities. 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. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , the gross amount accrued for medical insurance claims totaled $0.6 million and $0.4 million , respectively, and the gross amount accrued for workers’ compensation claims totaled $2.1 million and $1.7 million , respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 , health care expense totaled $2.4 million , $1.1 million and $5.0 million , respectively, and workers' compensation expense totaled $5.8 million , $3.4 million and $3.2 million , respectively. Company-Owned Life Insurance The Company has life insurance policies on certain key executives. Company-owned life insurance is recorded at its cash surrender value or the amount that can be realized. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , the Company had a long-term asset of $3.9 million and $4.3 million , respectively, related to these policies. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 , the Company recognized a decrease of $0.4 million and increases of $2.0 million and $0.5 million , respectively, in the cash surrender value of these policies. Leases The Company leases certain real estate, construction equipment and office equipment. The terms and conditions of leases (such as renewal or purchase options and escalation clauses), if material, are reviewed at inception to determine the classification (operating or capital) of the lease. Nonperformance-related default covenants, cross-default provisions, subjective default provisions and material adverse change clauses contained in material lease agreements, if any, are also evaluated to determine whether those clauses affect lease classification. Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost, or if acquired in a business combination, at the acquisition-date fair value. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment, including property and equipment under capital leases, 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. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred, and 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. The assets’ estimated lives used in computing depreciation for property, plant and equipment are as follows: Buildings and leasehold improvements 2 to 39 years Construction equipment 3 to 15 years Office equipment, furniture and fixtures 3 to 7 years Vehicles 3 to 5 years Intangible Assets, Net The Company's intangible assets represent finite-lived assets that were acquired in a business combination, consisting of customer relationships, trade names and backlog, and are recorded at acquisition-date fair value. These assets are amortized over their estimated lives, which are generally based on contractual or legal rights. Amortization of customer relationship and trade name intangibles is recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations, and amortization of backlog intangibles is recorded within cost of revenue. The straight-line method of amortization is used because it best reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangibles are consumed or otherwise used up. The amounts and useful lives assigned to intangible assets acquired impact the amount and timing of future amortization. Impairment of Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangibles Management reviews long-lived assets that are held and used 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. There were no impairments of property, plant and equipment or intangible assets recognized during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 . Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess purchase price paid over the fair value of acquired intangible and tangible assets. The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other . Accordingly, goodwill is not amortized but rather is assessed at least annually for impairment on July 1st and tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Company may assess its goodwill for impairment initially using a qualitative approach to determine whether conditions exist to indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If management concludes, based on its assessment of relevant events, facts and circumstances, that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s carrying value is greater than its fair value, then a quantitative analysis will be performed to determine if there is any impairment. The Company may also elect to initially perform a quantitative analysis instead of starting with a qualitative approach. The quantitative assessment for goodwill was historically a two-step process. As discussed below, as of January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment , which removed the second step of the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The first (and now final) step requires comparing the carrying value of a reporting unit, including goodwill, to its fair value using the income approach. The income approach uses a discounted cash flow model, which involves significant estimates and assumptions, including preparation of revenue and profitability growth forecasts, selection of a discount rate and selection of a terminal year multiple. If the fair value of the respective reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company would record an impairment charge equal to the difference, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 , management performed a qualitative assessment for its goodwill by examining relevant events and circumstances that could have an affect on its fair value, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, entity-specific events, financial performance and other relevant factors or events that could affect earnings and cash flows. Based on evaluation of these qualitative assessments, it was determined that there was no goodwill impairment for these years. Business Combinations The Company accounts for its business combinations in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations , which requires an acquirer to recognize and measure in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interests (if applicable) in the acquiree at the acquisition date. The purchase is accounted for using the acquisition method, and the fair value of purchase consideration is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess, if any, of the fair value of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the identifiable net assets is recorded as goodwill. Conversely, the excess, if any, of the net fair values of the identifiable net assets over the fair value of the purchase consideration is recorded as a gain. The fair values of net assets acquired are calculated using expected cash flows and industry-standard valuation techniques, and these valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain, and as a result, actual results may materially differ from estimates. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows, useful lives and discount rates. During the measurement period, which is one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with a corresponding offset to either goodwill or gain, depending on whether the fair value of purchase consideration is in excess of or less than net assets acquired. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings. Acquisition costs related to business combinations are expensed as incurred. Contingent Consideration As part of the Merger, the Company agreed to issue additional common shares to the Seller upon satisfaction of financial targets for 2018 and 2019. This contingent liability, which is presented as contingent consideration in the consolidated balance sheet, was measured at its estimated fair value as of the Closing Date using a Monte Carlo simulation and subsequent changes in fair value are recorded within other (expense) income, net in the consolidated statement of operations. See Note 8 . Fair Value of Financial Instruments for further discussion. Debt Issuance Costs Financing costs incurred with securing a term loan are deferred and amortized to interest expense, net over the maturity of the respective loan using the effective interest method and are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt. Financing costs incurred with securing a revolving line of credit are deferred and amortized to interest expense, net over the contractual term of the arrangement on a straight-line basis and are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt. Stock-Based Compensation IEA has an equity plan which grants stock options (“Options”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain key employees and members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) for their services on the Board. The Company recognizes compensation expense for these awards in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, Stock Compensation , which requires the recognition of expense related to the fair value of the awards in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. The Company estimates the grant-date fair value of each award at issuance. For awards subject to service-based vesting conditions, the Company recognizes compensation expense equal to the grant-date fair value on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting term. Forfeitures are accounted for when incurred. For awards subject to both performance and service-based vesting conditions, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense using the straight-line recognition method when it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Where applicable, the Company records a valuation allowance to reduce any deferred tax assets that it determines will not be realizable in the future. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”), which enacted major changes to the U.S. tax code, including a reduction in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate 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. Management considered the implications of the 2017 Tax Act, including the rate change, 100% immediate expensing, toll charge, Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credit change and state impacts on the calculation of the provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2017. The effect of these changes in tax law was $0.3 million , which the Company recognized within the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company recognizes the benefit of an uncertain tax position that it has taken or expects to take on income tax returns it files if such tax position is more likely than not to be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. These tax benefits are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. 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. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company applies ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement , which establishes a framework for measuring fair value and clarifies the definition of fair value within that framework. ASC 820 defines fair value as an exit price, which is the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the Company’s principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820 generally requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the entity’s own assumptions based on market data and the entity’s judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are to be developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The valuation hierarchy is composed of three levels. The classification within the valuation hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The levels within the valuation hierarchy are described below: Level 1 - Assets and liabilities with unadjusted, quoted prices listed on active market exchanges. Inputs to the fair value measurement are observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 - Inputs to the fair val |
