Goldfield 10-K 26 Mar 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 24, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'GOLDFIELD CORP	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000042316	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	25,451,354	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$44,593,821
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$20,214,569	$7,845,943
Accounts receivable and accrued billings	14,194,959	13,288,812
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	4,991,754	7,411,544
Income taxes receivable	452,099	0
Current portion of notes receivable	56,829	46,919
Construction inventory	0	108,974
Real estate inventory	395,062	351,634
Residential properties under construction	1,616,916	215,648
Prepaid expenses	471,221	974,278
Deferred income taxes	621,632	773,307
Other current assets	18,147	37,844
Total current assets	43,033,188	31,054,903
Property, buildings and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $25,559,606 in 2013 and $23,152,625 in 2012	31,853,982	23,817,328
Deferred charges and other assets	'	'
Land and land development costs	1,545,310	1,027,957
Cash surrender value of life insurance	541,439	617,090
Restricted cash	481,003	418,307
Notes receivable, less current portion	103,132	151,861
Other assets	20,934	31,081
Total deferred charges and other assets	2,691,818	2,246,296
Total assets	77,578,988	57,118,527
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	7,852,337	6,637,932
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	55,846	374,052
Current portion of notes payable	13,046,080	4,219,720
Income taxes payable	0	1,001,062
Accrued remediation costs	155,667	0
Total current liabilities	21,109,930	12,232,766
Deferred income taxes	5,982,368	4,045,820
Accrued remediation costs	900,000	0
Notes payable, less current portion	18,485,681	13,535,956
Other accrued liabilities	24,277	10,556
Total liabilities	46,502,256	29,825,098
Commitments and contingencies (notes 4 and 9)	0	0
Stockholders’ equity	'	'
Common stock, $.10 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized; 27,813,772 shares issued and 25,451,354 shares outstanding	2,781,377	2,781,377
Additional paid-in capital	18,481,683	18,481,683
Retained earnings	11,121,859	7,338,556
Treasury stock, 2,362,418 shares, at cost	-1,308,187	-1,308,187
Total stockholders’ equity	31,076,732	27,293,429
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$77,578,988	$57,118,527

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Property, buildings and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$25,559,606	$23,152,625
Preferred stock, par value	$1	$1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	27,813,772	27,813,772
Common stock, shares outstanding	25,451,354	25,451,354
Treasury stock, shares	2,362,418	2,362,418

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue	'	'
Electrical construction	$88,755,236	$80,432,911
Other	448,902	1,196,271
Total revenue	89,204,138	81,629,182
Costs and expenses	'	'
Electrical construction	71,680,877	56,958,270
Other	362,243	785,423
Selling, general and administrative	4,036,955	3,560,149
Depreciation	4,967,311	3,570,122
Gain on sale of property and equipment	-100,233	-259,177
Total costs and expenses	80,947,153	64,614,787
Total operating income	8,256,985	17,014,395
Other income (expense), net	'	'
Interest income	29,461	23,526
Interest expense	-594,632	-348,372
Other income, net	99,875	55,020
Total other expense, net	-465,296	-269,826
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	7,791,689	16,744,569
Income tax provision	3,284,647	4,783,340
Income from continuing operations	4,507,042	11,961,229
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit of $476,261 in 2013	-723,739	0
Net income	$3,783,303	$11,961,229
Net income per share of common stock — basic and diluted	'	'
Continuing operations (usd per share)	$0.18	$0.47
Discontinued operations (usd per share)	($0.03)	$0
Net income (usd per share)	$0.15	$0.47
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted (shares)	25,451,354	25,451,354

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc1

Consolidated Statements of Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations, tax benefit	$476,261	$0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net income	$3,783,303	$11,961,229
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities	'	'
Depreciation	4,967,311	3,570,122
Deferred income taxes	2,088,223	3,272,513
Gain on sale of property and equipment	-100,233	-259,177
Loss on cash surrender value of life insurance	4,900	9,359
Other expenses	0	1,500
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	'	'
Accounts receivable and accrued billings	-906,147	-4,297,703
Construction inventory	108,974	25,389
Real estate inventory	-43,428	-4,805
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	2,419,790	-6,465,019
Residential properties under construction	-1,401,268	7,170
Income taxes receivable	-452,099	137
Prepaid expenses and other assets	532,901	-543,443
Land and land development costs	-517,353	-477,957
Restricted cash	-62,696	-166,588
Income taxes payable	-1,001,062	1,001,062
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	234,612	2,813,078
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	-318,206	-486,690
Accrued remediation costs	1,055,667	0
Net cash provided by operating activities	10,393,189	9,960,177
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment	374,339	342,171
Proceeds from notes receivable	38,819	40,919
Purchases of property, buildings and equipment	-12,284,557	-8,965,938
Proceeds from life insurance	70,751	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-11,800,648	-8,582,848
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from notes payable	20,500,000	8,061,364
Repayments on notes payable	-4,821,623	-4,139,092
Installment loan repayments	-1,902,292	-773,482
Net cash provided by financing activities	13,776,085	3,148,790
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	12,368,626	4,526,119
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	7,845,943	3,319,824
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	20,214,569	7,845,943
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information	'	'
Interest paid	593,621	338,339
Income taxes paid, net	2,173,324	509,628
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities	'	'
Liability for equipment acquired	993,514	119,924
Equipment funded by installment loan	$0	$7,902,877

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common stock [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Retained earnings [Member]	Treasury stock [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$15,332,200	$2,781,377	$18,481,683	($4,622,673)	($1,308,187)
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	'	27,813,772	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	11,961,229	0	0	11,961,229	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	27,293,429	2,781,377	18,481,683	7,338,556	-1,308,187
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	25,451,354	27,813,772	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	3,783,303	0	0	3,783,303	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$31,076,732	$2,781,377	$18,481,683	$11,121,859	($1,308,187)
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	25,451,354	27,813,772	'	'	'

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Overview
	The Goldfield Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in Wyoming in 1906 and subsequently reincorporated in Delaware in 1968. The Company’s principal line of business is electrical construction. The principal market for the Company’s electrical construction operation is electric utilities throughout much of the United States.
	Basis of Financial Statement Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	In 2012, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) ASU 2011-05 and ASU 2011-12, which require comprehensive income to be reported in either a single statement or in two consecutive statements reporting net income and other comprehensive income. The amendment eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity. However, comprehensive income is equivalent to net income for the Company, and therefore, the Company's accompanying financial statements do not include a Statement of Other Comprehensive Income.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on customer specific information and historical write-off experience. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. Any increase in the allowance account has a corresponding negative effect on the results of operations. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, upon its review, management determined it was not necessary to record an allowance for doubtful accounts due to the majority of accounts receivable being generated by electrical utility customers who the Company considers creditworthy based on timely collection history and other considerations.
	Property, Buildings, Equipment and Depreciation
	Property, buildings and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation on property, buildings and equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term, including renewals that are deemed to be reasonably assured, or the estimated useful life of the improvement.
	In accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) ASC Topic 360-10-05, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the Company assesses the need to record impairment losses on long-lived assets when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when future estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from use of the asset are less than the asset’s carrying value. Any resulting loss would be measured at fair value based on discounted expected cash flows.
	Electrical Construction Revenue
	The Company accepts contracts on a fixed price, unit price and service agreement basis. Revenue from fixed price construction contracts are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the ratio of costs incurred to date, to the estimated total costs to be incurred for each contract. Revenue from unit price contracts and service agreements are recognized as services are performed. Unit price contracts are billed at an agreed upon price per unit of work performed. Revenue from service agreements are billed on either a man-hour or man-hour plus equipment basis. Terms of the Company’s service agreements may extend for periods beyond one year.
	The Company’s contracts allow it to bill additional amounts for change orders and claims. Additionally, the Company considers a claim to be for additional work performed outside the scope of the contract, contested by the customer. Historically, claims relating to electrical construction work have not been significant. It is the Company’s policy to include revenue from change orders and claims in contract value only when they can be reliably estimated and realization is considered probable, in accordance with ASC Topic 605-35-25-30 and ASC Topic 605-35-25-31, Revenue Recognition for Construction Type Contracts.
	The asset, “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts” represents revenue recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability, “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts” represents billings in excess of revenue recognized.
	Contract costs include all direct material, direct labor, subcontractor costs and indirect costs related to contract performance, such as supplies, tools and equipment maintenance. General and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions, estimated profitability and final contract settlements may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined.
	Construction Inventory
	Construction inventory, which consists of specifically identified electrical construction materials, is stated at the lower of cost or market.
	Real Estate Inventory
	Real estate inventory, which consists of residential properties is carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 360-10, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets. In accordance with ASC Topic 360-10, real estate inventory is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount or basis is not expected to be recovered, impairment losses are recorded and the related assets are adjusted to their estimated fair value. The fair value of an asset is the amount at which that asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. The Company also complies with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company did not record an impairment write-down to its real estate inventory for either of the years ended December 31, 2013 or 2012. The Company could incur impairment charges in future periods, which would decrease operating income and result in lower asset values on the balance sheet, if the assumptions or estimates in the fair value calculations change.
	Land and Land Development Costs and Residential Properties Under Construction
	The costs of a land purchase and any development expenses up to the initial construction phase of any residential property development project are recorded under the asset “land and land development costs.” Once construction commences, both the land development costs and construction costs are recorded under the asset “residential properties under construction.” The assets “land and land development costs” and “residential properties under construction” relating to specific projects are recorded as current assets when the estimated project completion date is less than one year from the date of the consolidated financial statements, or as non-current assets when the estimated project completion date is more than one year from the date of the consolidated financial statements.
	In accordance with ASC Topics 360-10, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets, land is reviewed by the Company for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount or basis is not expected to be recovered, impairment losses are recorded and the related assets are adjusted to their estimated fair value. The fair value of an asset is the amount at which that asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. The Company also complies with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company did not record an impairment write-down to its land carrying value for either of the years ended December 31, 2013 or 2012.
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, which establishes the recognition requirements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and the respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained.  Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized.  Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.  The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as interest expense and other general and administrative expenses, respectively, and not as a component of income taxes.
	Executive Long-term Incentive Plan
	The Company did not issue shares pursuant to The Goldfield Corporation 1998 Executive Long-term Incentive Plan (the “1998 Plan”) in 2013 or 2012 and all previously issued common stock options were exercised prior to December 2005. The Company has not issued shares pursuant to The Goldfield Corporation 2013 Long-term Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”) in 2013. Therefore, the Company has no compensation expense for shares pursuant to the 1998 Plan or the 2013 Plan for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Use of Estimates
	Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management considers the most significant estimates in preparing these financial statements to be the estimated cost to complete electrical construction contracts in progress, the adequacy of the accrued remediation costs and the realizability of deferred tax assets.
	Financial Instruments - Fair Value
	The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, restricted cash collateral deposited with insurance carriers, cash surrender value of life insurance policies, accounts payable, notes payable, and other current liabilities.
	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:
	Level 1 - Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 - Observable market based inputs or other observable inputs.
	Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data. These values are generally determined using valuation models incorporating management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.
	Fair values of financial instruments are estimated through the use of public market prices, quotes from financial institutions, and other available information. Management considers the carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accrued billings, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, to approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of notes receivable is considered by management to approximate carrying value based on their interest rates and terms, maturities, collateral, and current status of the receivables. The Company’s long-term notes payable are also estimated by management to approximate carrying value since the interest rates prescribed by Branch Banking and Trust Company (the “Bank”) are variable market interest rates and are adjusted periodically. The Company has determined the fair value of its fixed rate long-term installment notes payable to be $5.2 million using an interest rate of 2.69% (Level 2 input), which is the Company's current interest rate on borrowings. Restricted cash is considered by management to approximate fair value due to the nature of the asset held in a secured interest bearing bank account. The carrying value of cash surrender value of life insurance is also considered by management to approximate fair value as the carrying value is based on the current settlement value under the contract, as provided by the carrier.
	Restricted Cash
	The Company’s restricted cash includes cash deposited in a secured interest bearing bank account, as required by the Collateral Trust Agreement in connection with the Company’s workers’ compensation insurance policies, as described in note 13.
	Segment Reporting
	The Company operates as a single reportable segment under ASC 280-10-50 Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.
	Subsequent Events
	The Company evaluated subsequent events and has included certain of such events in these notes to the financial statements. The Company is not aware of any significant events that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date, but prior to the filing of this report that would have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, other than those that have been disclosed.

Costs_and_Estimated_Earnings_o

Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Contractors [Abstract]	'
Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts	'
	Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts
	Long-term fixed price electrical construction contracts in progress accounted for using the percentage-of-completion method at December 31 for the years as indicated:
		2013			2012
	Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts	$	31,133,132		$	29,193,963
	Estimated earnings	9,372,782			14,555,825
		40,505,914			43,749,788
	Less billings to date	35,570,006			36,712,296
	Total	$	4,935,908		$	7,037,492
	Included in the balance sheets under the following captions
	Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	$	4,991,754		$	7,411,544
	Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	(55,846		)	(374,052		)
	Total	$	4,935,908		$	7,037,492
	The amounts billed but not paid by customers pursuant to retention provisions of long-term electrical construction contracts were $1.5 million and $2.8 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and are included in the accompanying balance sheets in accounts receivable and accrued billings. Retainage is expected to be collected within the next twelve months.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The following table presents the income tax provision from continuing operations for the years ended December 31 as indicated:
		2013			2012
	Current
	Federal	$	530,367		$	1,121,521
	State	268,810			389,306
		799,177			1,510,827
	Deferred
	Federal	2,160,082			2,755,857
	State	325,388			516,656
		2,485,470			3,272,513
	Total	$	3,284,647		$	4,783,340
	The following table presents the total income tax provision for the years ended December 31 as indicated:
		2013			2012
	Continuing operations	$	3,284,647		$	4,783,340
	Discontinued operations	(476,261		)	—
	Total	$	2,808,386		$	4,783,340
	The following table presents the temporary differences and carryforwards, which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 as indicated:
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets
	Accrued vacation	$	149,439		$	115,232
	Acquisition costs capitalized	81,205			—
	Accrued remediation costs	397,247			—
	Accrued payables	42,508			310,622
	Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	3,124			262,360
	Accrued workers’ compensation	172,421			120,617
	Capitalized bidding costs	162,784			83,960
	Inventory adjustments	42,228			42,228
	Accrued lease expense	9,135			3,972
	Accrued percentage-of-completion loss	31,745			173
	Other	1,034			960
	Total deferred tax assets	1,092,870			940,124
	Deferred tax liabilities
	Deferred gain on installment notes	(25,254		)	(29,917		)
	Tax depreciation in excess of financial statement depreciation	(6,428,352		)	(4,182,720		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(6,453,606		)	(4,212,637		)
	Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(5,360,736	)	$	(3,272,513	)
	The current deferred tax assets decreased to $622,000 as of December 31, 2013 from $773,000 as of December 31, 2012 due to the use of the alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards. The non-current deferred tax liabilities increased to $6.0 million as of December 31, 2013 from $4.0 million as of December 31, 2012 due to additional tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation. The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010, allowed bonus depreciation for tax purposes for 2013 and 2012.
	The carrying amounts of deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, if based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not such assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the deferred tax assets are expected to be recovered or settled. In the assessment for a valuation allowance, appropriate consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, experience with loss carryforwards expiring unused, and tax planning alternatives. If the Company determines it will not be able to realize all or part of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance would be recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
	Based on assumptions with respect to forecasts of future taxable income and tax planning, among others, the Company anticipates being able to generate sufficient taxable income to utilize the deferred tax assets. Therefore, the Company has not recorded a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. The minimum amount of future taxable income required to be generated to fully realize the deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2013 is approximately $2.8 million.
	The following table presents the differences between the Company’s effective income tax rate and the federal statutory rate on its income from continuing operations for the years ended December 31 as indicated:
		2013		2012
	Federal statutory rate	34.00%		34.00%
	State tax rate, net of federal tax	5		3.6
	Other non-deductible expenses	1.8		0.4
	Valuation allowance	—		-10.5
	Other	1.4		1.1
	Total	42.20%		28.60%
	The Company has gross unrecognized tax benefits of $11,000 and $9,000 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that the liability for unrecognized tax benefits related to certain state income tax matters may be settled within the next twelve months. The federal statute of limitation has expired for tax years prior to 2008 and relevant state statutes vary. The Company is currently not under any income tax audits or examinations and does not expect the assessment of any significant additional tax in excess of amounts provided.
	The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the years as indicated:
		2013			2012
	Balance as of January 1	$	9,486		$	16,772
	Increase from current year tax positions	1,460			—
	Increase from prior years' tax positions	—			101
	Decrease from settlements with taxing authority	—			(7,387		)
	Balance as of December 31	$	10,946		$	9,486
	The Company accrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as interest expense and other general and administrative expenses, respectively, and not as a component of income taxes. Decreases in interest and penalties are due to settlements with taxing authorities and expiration of statutes of limitation. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized $1,000 and $2,000, respectively, in interest and penalties. The Company had accrued as a current liability $8,000 and $7,000 for the future payment of interest and penalties as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations
	Commitments and Contingencies Related to Discontinued Operations
	Through certain of our subsidiaries and predecessor companies, the Company was previously engaged in mining activities and ended all such activities in December 2002.
	In June 2013, the Company received an inquiry from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) with respect to a previously owned mining property, the Sierra Zinc Site located in Stevens County, Washington (the “Site”). The Company sold the Site over fifty (50) years ago. The Company completed a preliminary investigation to determine the nature and scope of environmental conditions at the Site.
	The preliminary information indicates that the Company owned the Site from 1948 to 1962. A preliminary examination of the Site by the Company and the EPA, indicates that the Site includes a stable tailings impoundment that was not previously reclaimed. A preliminary analysis was completed by the Company's environmental engineering consultants. Based on their findings, the Company anticipates that while the tailings impoundment has remained stable since operations ceased at the Site, it will likely be necessary to reclaim and cover the tailings impoundment with clean material.
	In February 2014, the EPA provided the Company with a formal General Notice Letter regarding its potential liability for the Site and requesting that the Company negotiate an administrative order on consent (“AOC”) to conduct a “Removal Action Alternative Analysis” for the Site. The Removal Action Alternatives Analysis will compare the costs and benefits of several potential removal action alternatives for the Site. The Company is currently undertaking the Removal Action Alternatives Analysis and is negotiating the AOC.
	Although the Company and the EPA have not yet determined the precise response action required, or the timing of such action, the Company has reasonably estimated the amounts related to the probable action in accordance with ASC Topic 450-20, Loss Contingencies, and has established a contingency provision within Discontinued Operations of $1.2 million as of December 31, 2013, for this matter. The EPA has not provided additional information or response regarding the preliminary examination it performed with the Company. Accordingly, none of the following elements have been specifically determined by the Company as of December 31, 2013: the response action required, the date or range of dates to perform such response action, or the method of compliance with such response action to be required of the Company. The remaining balance of the estimated contingency provision accrued by the Company as of December 31, 2013 was $1.1 million and represents the estimated costs of the probable response action, as provided by the Company's environmental engineering consultants, as well as the anticipated legal and professional fees related to the response action. It is reasonably possible the total actual costs to be incurred at the Site in future periods may vary from this estimate, given inherent uncertainties in evaluating environmental costs, however the Company is unable to estimate the ultimate loss.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company incurred actual investigation and professional service costs of $144,000. The accrual will be reviewed periodically based upon facts and circumstances available at the time, which could result, and most likely will result, in changes to this amount.
	The Company believes that the costs of this response action may be covered, in whole or in part, by insurance. The Company has advised the same insurers who paid a significant portion of the costs in connection with an EPA action in 2003, involving the Anderson-Calhoun Mine, which provided the ore milled at the Site. The insurers have accepted the defense of the claims relating to the Site, subject to certain reservation of rights as to coverage. The insurers have jointly engaged new environmental defense counsel to defend the Company with respect to the Site. Currently the Company cannot determine a reasonable estimate, or even a range of an estimate, of the insurance recoveries, if any, or when such recoveries may be paid by the insurers. There were no discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	The following table presents the liabilities of discontinued operations, which have been reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets under the caption “accrued remediation costs,” for the years ended December 31 as indicated:
			2013			2012
	Accrued remediation costs current		$	155,667		$	—
	Accrued remediation costs non-current		900,000			—
	Total liabilities of discontinued operations		$	1,055,667		$	—
	The following table presents our results of discontinued operations for the years ended December 31 as indicated:
		2013			2012
	Provision for remediation costs	$	(1,200,000	)	$	—
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	(1,200,000		)	—
	Income tax benefit	476,261			—
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(723,739	)	$	—
	Our effective tax rate related to discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 was (39.7)%. The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 34% for the year ended December 31, 2013 primarily due to state income taxes.

Property_Buildings_and_Equipme

Property, Buildings and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Buildings and Equipment	'
	Property, Buildings and Equipment
	The following table presents the balances of major classes of properties as of December 31 as indicated:
		Estimated useful lives in years	2013		2012
	Land	—	$	339,460	$	339,460
	Land improvements	Jul-39	261,420		265,153
	Buildings and improvements	May-40	2,018,882		1,992,149
	Leasehold improvements	13-Jul	243,349		136,346
	Machinery and equipment	10-Feb	54,413,095		43,960,277
	Construction in progress	—	137,382		276,568
	Total		57,413,588		46,969,953
	Less accumulated depreciation		25,559,606		23,152,625
	Net properties, buildings and equipment		$	31,853,982	$	23,817,328
	Management reviews the net carrying value of all properties, buildings and equipment on a regular basis to assess and determine the need for possible impairments. As a result of such review, no impairment write-down was considered necessary for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

401_k_Employee_Benefits_Plan

401 (k) Employee Benefits Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
401 (k) Employee Benefits Plan	'
	401 (k) Employee Benefits Plan
	Effective January 1, 1995, the Company adopted The Goldfield Corporation and Subsidiaries Employee Savings and Retirement Plan, a defined contribution plan that qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan provides retirement benefits to all employees who meet eligibility requirements and elect to participate. Under the plan, participating employees may defer up to 100% of their pre-tax compensation per calendar year subject to Internal Revenue Code limits. The Company’s contributions to the plan are discretionary and amounted to approximately $213,000 and $216,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_L

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	'
	Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
	The following table presents the accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of December 31 as indicated:
		2013		2012
	Accounts payable	$	4,622,016	$	3,994,253
	Accrued bonus	1,892,518		819,869
	Accrued payroll costs	641,539		447,595
	Other accrued expenses	696,264		1,376,215
	Total	$	7,852,337	$	6,637,932

Notes_Payable

Notes Payable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Notes Payable	'
	Notes Payable
	The following table presents the balances of our notes payables as of December 31 as indicated:
		Lending Institution		Maturity Date	2013			2012			Interest Rates
											2013		2012
	Working Capital Loan	Branch Banking and Trust Company		June 16, 2016	$	12,000,000		$	—		2.19	%	2.75	%
	$6.94 Million Equipment Loan	Branch Banking and Trust Company		February 22, 2016	3,692,772			4,931,781			2.69	%	2.75	%
	$1.50 Million Equipment Loan	Branch Banking and Trust Company		October 17, 2016	1,097,000			1,443,000			2.69	%	2.75	%
	$4.25 Million Equipment Loan	Branch Banking and Trust Company		September 19, 2016	3,270,000			4,250,000			2.66	%	2.75	%
	$1.50 Million Equipment Loan (2013)	Branch Banking and Trust Company		April 22, 2017	1,428,571			—			2.66	%	—	%
	$5.0 Million Equipment Loan	Branch Banking and Trust Company		April 22, 2018	4,814,815			—			2.66	%	—	%
	$7.90 Million Installment Sale Contract	Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation		July 17, 2016	5,228,603			7,130,895			3.45	%	3.45	%
	Total notes payable				31,531,761			17,755,676
	Current portion of notes payable				(13,046,080		)	(4,219,720		)
	Notes payable, less current portion				$	18,485,681		$	13,535,956
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company, and the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries Southeast Power, Pineapple House of Brevard, Inc. (“Pineapple House”), Bayswater Development Corporation (“Bayswater”), and Power Corporation of America (“PCA”), were parties to a Master Loan Agreement, dated December 16, 2013 (the “2013 Master Loan Agreement”), with Branch Banking and Trust Company (the “Bank”). The 2013 Master Loan Agreement replaced all previous Bank loan agreements, which are listed in the table above, and eliminated the need to restate a loan agreement each time a new note is executed or an existing loan is renewed.
	Subsequently, on January 31, 2014, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries; Southeast Power, Pineapple House, Bayswater, PCA and C and C Power Line, Inc. (“C&C”), collectively (the “Debtors,”) were parties to a Master Loan Agreement, dated January 31, 2014 (the “2014 Master Loan Agreement”), which replaced all previous Bank loan agreements, including the 2013 Master Loan Agreement. The terms of the 2014 Master Loan Agreement are the same as the 2013 Master Loan Agreement, except for (i) the addition of C&C as a party to the 2014 Master Loan Agreement and (ii) the addition of a $10.0 million equipment loan (the “$10.0 Million Equipment Loan”) and a $3.5 million acquisition loan (the “$3.5 Million Acquisition Loan”), which are both described below.
	All loans with the Bank are guaranteed by the Debtors and include the grant of a continuing security interest in all now owned and hereafter acquired and wherever located personal property of the Debtors as follows: (i) machinery and equipment, including all accessions thereto, all manufacturers’ warranties, parts and tools therefor; (ii) tax refunds, Company records (paper and electronic), rights under equipment leases, warranties and software licenses; (iii) supporting obligations; and (iv) to the extent not listed in (i) and (ii) all proceeds (cash and non-cash) and products of the foregoing.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had a loan agreement and a series of related ancillary agreements with the Bank providing for a revolving line of credit loan for a maximum principal amount of $15.0 million, to be used as a “Working Capital Loan.” The Working Capital Loan will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to one month LIBOR (as defined in the ancillary loan documents) plus two percent 2.00% (previously 2.50%), which will be adjusted monthly and subject to a maximum of 24.00%; provided however, that upon receipt in 2014 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pricing will be based on the following table:
	Leverage Ratio	Applicable Margin for LIBOR Loans and Letter of Credit Fees
	< 1.0x	175.0 bps
	≥ 1.0x but < 1.5x	200.0 bps
	≥ 1.5x but < 2.0x	225.0 bps
	≥ 2.0x but < 2.5x	250.0 bps
	≥ 2.5x but < 3.0x	275.0 bps
	“Leverage ratio” means total liabilities to tangible net worth. Pricing will be adjusted on a quarterly basis based on the table above and the Company’s quarterly financial reports with any interest rate changes taking effect in the month following receipt of the quarterly financial reports. Interest only payments are payable monthly commencing on January 16, 2014, and continuing on the same day of each month thereafter, until June 16, 2016.
	Under the ancillary agreements relating to the Working Capital Loan, the Company agrees to pay an unused commitment fee on any difference between the face amount of the Working Capital Loan and the amount of credit it actually uses, determined by the average of the daily amount of credit outstanding during the specified period. The fee will be calculated annually at the rates set forth in the table above and will be due on April 1, 2014 and the same day of each following quarter until the maturity date of the Working Capital Loan. The unused portion of the Working Capital Loan as of December 31, 2013, was $3.0 million.
	Subsequently, on January 2, 2014, the Company paid down $7.0 million of the Working Capital Loan. Such amount has been reflected under the “current portion of notes payable” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	With the exception of the Working Capital Loan, as described above, all the loans with the Bank bear interest at a rate per annum equal to one month LIBOR (as defined in the ancillary loan documents) plus two and one-half percent 2.50%, which is adjusted monthly and subject to a maximum interest rate of 24.00%.
	As of December 31, 2013, Southeast Power, the Company, and Ring Power Corporation (the “Seller”), are parties to an Installment Sale Contract (Security Agreement), as amended (the “$7.90 Million Installment Sale Contract”), and related ancillary agreements. Southeast Power agreed to purchase specific identified equipment units (the “Equipment”) from the Seller for a purchase price of $7.9 million. On July 16, 2012, the Seller assigned to Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation (“CAT”) its interest in and rights and remedies under the $7.90 Million Installment Sale Contract and related agreements, as well as the Seller’s security interest in the Equipment. The Bank and CAT entered into a Subordination Agreement with respect to the Equipment. Pursuant to the terms of the $7.90 Million Installment Sale Contract, Southeast Power agreed to pay the entire purchase price of all Equipment plus fees and finance charges by way of forty-eight (48) installment payments of $176,535, aggregating to $8,473,658, payable directly to CAT. Borrowings outstanding under the $7.90 Million Installment Sale Contract were $5.2 million and $7.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The $7.90 Million Installment Sale Contract bears a fixed interest rate of 3.45% and is due and payable in full on July 17, 2016.
	Subsequently, on January 31, 2014, the Company and the Debtors, and the Bank entered into the $10.0 Million Equipment Loan and the $3.5 Million Acquisition Loan, and these loans are governed by the 2014 Master Loan Agreement and related ancillary agreements.
	Under the terms of the $10.0 Million Equipment Loan, the loan accrues interest on any borrowings and is payable monthly commencing on February 28, 2014, (or such later date as any borrowings occur) until January 28, 2016. Commencing on February 28, 2016, payments of principal in the amount of 1/54th of the principal balance outstanding as of January 28, 2016, plus accrued interest will be made each month thereafter, with one final payment of all remaining principal and accrued interest due on July 28, 2020. It is anticipated that all the borrowings under the $10.0 Million Equipment Loan will be taken down prior to January 28, 2016, as permitted under the terms of the loan.
	The $3.5 Million Acquisition Loan represented the partial financing of the acquisition of C&C and matures on January 28, 2019. Principal payments of $58,350, plus accrued interest will be made commencing on February 28, 2014, and payable monthly thereafter through December 28, 2018, with one final payment of all remaining principal and accrued interest due on January 28, 2019. The $3.5 Million Acquisition Loan was funded in its entirety on February 4, 2014.
	Both the $10.0 Million Equipment Loan and the $3.5 Million Acquisition Loan bear interest under the same rates and specifications as those set forth above for the Working Capital Loan.
	The Company’s debt arrangements contain various financial and other covenants including, but not limited to: minimum tangible net worth, outside debt limitation (with certain exceptions), maximum debt to tangible net worth ratio, fixed charge coverage ratio and asset coverage ratio. Other loan covenants prohibit, among other things, a change in legal form of the Company, and entering into a merger or consolidation. The loans also have cross-default provisions whereby any default under any loans of the Company (or its subsidiaries) with the Bank, will constitute a default under all of the other loans of the Company (and its subsidiaries) with the Bank.
	The schedule of payments of the notes payable as of December 31, 2013 is as follows:
	2014	$	13,046,080
	2015	6,137,594
	2016	10,723,750
	2017	1,253,968
	2018	370,369
	Total payments of debt	$	31,531,761

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Operating Leases
	The Company leases its principal office space under a seven-year non-cancelable operating lease. Within the provisions of the office lease, there are escalations in payments over the base lease term, as well as renewal periods. The effects of the escalations have been reflected in rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. The Company also leases office equipment under operating leases that expire over the next four years. The Company’s leases require payments of property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs in addition to the rent payments. Additionally, the Company leases several off-site storage facilities, used to store equipment and materials, under a month to month lease arrangement. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term.
	Future minimum lease payments under operating leases having initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2013 are as follows:
	2014	$	196,465
	2015	182,298
	2016	186,706
	2017	185,910
	2018	181,362
	2019	174,703
	2020	149,208
	Total minimum operating lease payments	$	1,256,652
	Total rent expense for the operating leases were $170,000 and $178,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Performance Bonds
	In certain circumstances, the Company is required to provide performance bonds to secure its contractual commitments. Management is not aware of any performance bonds issued for the Company that have ever been called by a customer. As of December 31, 2013, outstanding performance bonds issued on behalf of the Company’s electrical construction subsidiary amounted to approximately $27.5 million.

Income_Per_Share_of_Common_Sto

Income Per Share of Common Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Income Per Share of Common Stock	'
	Income Per Share of Common Stock
	Basic income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common stock shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if common stock equivalents, such as stock options outstanding, were exercised into common stock that subsequently shared in the earnings of the Company.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no common stock equivalents. The computation of the weighted average number of common stock shares outstanding excludes 2,362,418 shares of Treasury Stock for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Common_Stock_Repurchase_Plan

Common Stock Repurchase Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Common Stock Repurchase Plan [Abstract]	'
Common Stock Repurchase Plan	'
	Common Stock Repurchase Plan
	Since September 17, 2002, the Company has had a stock repurchase plan which, as last amended by the Board of Directors on September 12, 2013, permits the purchase of up to 3,500,000 shares until September 30, 2014. The Company may repurchase its shares either in the open market or through private transactions. The volume of the shares to be repurchased is contingent upon market conditions and other factors. No shares were repurchased during the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2013, the total number of shares repurchased under the Repurchase Plan was 2,345,060 at a cost of $1,289,467 (average cost of $0.55 per share) and the remaining number of shares available to be repurchased under the Repurchase Plan is 1,154,940. The Company currently holds the repurchased stock as Treasury Stock, reported at cost. Prior to September 17, 2002, the Company had 17,358 shares of Treasury Stock which it had purchased at a cost of $18,720.

Business_Concentration

Business Concentration	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Business Concentration	'
	Business Concentration
	Credit Risks
	Financial instruments, mainly within the electrical construction operations, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of accounts receivable and accrued billings in the amounts of $14.2 million and $13.3 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which management reviews to assess the need to establish an allowance for doubtful accounts.
	Customer Concentration
	Revenue (in thousands of dollars) to customers exceeding 10% of the Company's total revenue for the years ended December 31 as indicated are as follows:
		2013			2012
		Amount		% of Total revenue	Amount		% of Total revenue
	Electrical construction operations
	Customer A	$	—	—	$	9,135	11
	Customer B	24,568		28	27,337		33
	Customer C	13,787		15	—		—
	Customer D	9,818		11	—		—
	Customer E	—		—	14,466		18
	Revenue by service/product (in thousands of dollars) for the years ended December 31 as indicated are as follows:
		2013			2012
		Amount		% of Total revenue	Amount		% of Total revenue
	Electrical construction operations
	Transmission & foundation	$	82,581	93	$	77,136	95
	Fiber optics	3,244		4	3,045		4
	Other	2,930		3	252		—
	Total	88,755		100	80,433		99
	All other	449		—	1,196		1
	Total revenue	$	89,204	100	$	81,629	100
	The total of the above categories may differ from the sum of the components due to rounding.

Restricted_Cash

Restricted Cash	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]	'
Restricted Cash	'
	Restricted Cash
	On October 25, 2010, the Company, as grantor, Valley Forge Insurance Company (the “Beneficiary”) and Branch Banking and Trust Company (the “Trustee”) entered into a Collateral Trust Agreement (the “Agreement”) in connection with the Company’s workers’ compensation insurance policies issued by the Beneficiary (the “Policies”) beginning in 2009. The Agreement was made to grant the Beneficiary a security interest in certain of the Company’s assets and to place those assets in a Trust Account to secure the Company’s obligations to the Beneficiary under the Policies. The deposits maintained under the Agreement are recorded as restricted cash, within the non-current assets section of our balance sheet.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event Acquisition of C and C Power Line, Inc.	'
	Subsequent Event Acquisition of C and C Power Line, Inc.
	On January 3, 2014, Power Corporation of America (“PCA”), a Florida corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, completed its acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of stock of C and C Power Line, Inc., a Florida corporation (“C&C”). The purchase price was $7,250,000 in cash, subject to certain adjustments; $725,000 of such purchase price was deposited into an escrow fund to secure certain purchase price adjustments and indemnification obligations. PCA incurred acquisition costs totaling approximately $216,000 in 2013 in connection with the transaction. These acquisition costs are included under the caption “selling, general and administrative” on the Company's consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	C&C is a full service electrical contractor, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, with a unionized workforce. C&C has been involved in the electrical business in Florida since 1989. The acquisition of C&C will provide the Company with another platform for future growth.

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si1

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Financial Statement Presentation	'
	Overview
	The Goldfield Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in Wyoming in 1906 and subsequently reincorporated in Delaware in 1968. The Company’s principal line of business is electrical construction. The principal market for the Company’s electrical construction operation is electric utilities throughout much of the United States.
	Basis of Financial Statement Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	In 2012, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) ASU 2011-05 and ASU 2011-12, which require comprehensive income to be reported in either a single statement or in two consecutive statements reporting net income and other comprehensive income. The amendment eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity. However, comprehensive income is equivalent to net income for the Company, and therefore, the Company's accompanying financial statements do not include a Statement of Other Comprehensive Income.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on customer specific information and historical write-off experience. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. Any increase in the allowance account has a corresponding negative effect on the results of operations. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, upon its review, management determined it was not necessary to record an allowance for doubtful accounts due to the majority of accounts receivable being generated by electrical utility customers who the Company considers creditworthy based on timely collection history and other considerations.
Property, Buildings, Equipment and Depreciation	'
	Property, Buildings, Equipment and Depreciation
	Property, buildings and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation on property, buildings and equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term, including renewals that are deemed to be reasonably assured, or the estimated useful life of the improvement.
	In accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) ASC Topic 360-10-05, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the Company assesses the need to record impairment losses on long-lived assets when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when future estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from use of the asset are less than the asset’s carrying value. Any resulting loss would be measured at fair value based on discounted expected cash flows.
Electrical Construction Revenue	'
	Electrical Construction Revenue
	The Company accepts contracts on a fixed price, unit price and service agreement basis. Revenue from fixed price construction contracts are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the ratio of costs incurred to date, to the estimated total costs to be incurred for each contract. Revenue from unit price contracts and service agreements are recognized as services are performed. Unit price contracts are billed at an agreed upon price per unit of work performed. Revenue from service agreements are billed on either a man-hour or man-hour plus equipment basis. Terms of the Company’s service agreements may extend for periods beyond one year.
	The Company’s contracts allow it to bill additional amounts for change orders and claims. Additionally, the Company considers a claim to be for additional work performed outside the scope of the contract, contested by the customer. Historically, claims relating to electrical construction work have not been significant. It is the Company’s policy to include revenue from change orders and claims in contract value only when they can be reliably estimated and realization is considered probable, in accordance with ASC Topic 605-35-25-30 and ASC Topic 605-35-25-31, Revenue Recognition for Construction Type Contracts.
	The asset, “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts” represents revenue recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability, “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts” represents billings in excess of revenue recognized.
	Contract costs include all direct material, direct labor, subcontractor costs and indirect costs related to contract performance, such as supplies, tools and equipment maintenance. General and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions, estimated profitability and final contract settlements may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined.
Construction Inventory	'
	Construction Inventory
	Construction inventory, which consists of specifically identified electrical construction materials, is stated at the lower of cost or market.
Real Estate Inventory	'
	Real Estate Inventory
	Real estate inventory, which consists of residential properties is carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 360-10, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets. In accordance with ASC Topic 360-10, real estate inventory is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount or basis is not expected to be recovered, impairment losses are recorded and the related assets are adjusted to their estimated fair value. The fair value of an asset is the amount at which that asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. The Company also complies with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company did not record an impairment write-down to its real estate inventory for either of the years ended December 31, 2013 or 2012. The Company could incur impairment charges in future periods, which would decrease operating income and result in lower asset values on the balance sheet, if the assumptions or estimates in the fair value calculations change.
Land and Land Development Costs and Residential Properties Under Construction	'
	Land and Land Development Costs and Residential Properties Under Construction
	The costs of a land purchase and any development expenses up to the initial construction phase of any residential property development project are recorded under the asset “land and land development costs.” Once construction commences, both the land development costs and construction costs are recorded under the asset “residential properties under construction.” The assets “land and land development costs” and “residential properties under construction” relating to specific projects are recorded as current assets when the estimated project completion date is less than one year from the date of the consolidated financial statements, or as non-current assets when the estimated project completion date is more than one year from the date of the consolidated financial statements.
	In accordance with ASC Topics 360-10, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets, land is reviewed by the Company for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount or basis is not expected to be recovered, impairment losses are recorded and the related assets are adjusted to their estimated fair value. The fair value of an asset is the amount at which that asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. The Company also complies with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, which establishes the recognition requirements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and the respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained.  Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized.  Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.  The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as interest expense and other general and administrative expenses, respectively, and not as a component of income taxes.
Executive Long-term Incentive Plan	'
	Executive Long-term Incentive Plan
	The Company did not issue shares pursuant to The Goldfield Corporation 1998 Executive Long-term Incentive Plan (the “1998 Plan”) in 2013 or 2012 and all previously issued common stock options were exercised prior to December 2005. The Company has not issued shares pursuant to The Goldfield Corporation 2013 Long-term Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”) in 2013. Therefore, the Company has no compensation expense for shares pursuant to the 1998 Plan or the 2013 Plan for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management considers the most significant estimates in preparing these financial statements to be the estimated cost to complete electrical construction contracts in progress, the adequacy of the accrued remediation costs and the realizability of deferred tax assets.
Financial Instruments - Fair Value	'
	Financial Instruments - Fair Value
	The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, restricted cash collateral deposited with insurance carriers, cash surrender value of life insurance policies, accounts payable, notes payable, and other current liabilities.
	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:
	Level 1 - Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 - Observable market based inputs or other observable inputs.
	Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data. These values are generally determined using valuation models incorporating management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.
	Fair values of financial instruments are estimated through the use of public market prices, quotes from financial institutions, and other available information. Management considers the carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accrued billings, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, to approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of notes receivable is considered by management to approximate carrying value based on their interest rates and terms, maturities, collateral, and current status of the receivables. The Company’s long-term notes payable are also estimated by management to approximate carrying value since the interest rates prescribed by Branch Banking and Trust Company (the “Bank”) are variable market interest rates and are adjusted periodically. The Company has determined the fair value of its fixed rate long-term installment notes payable to be $5.2 million using an interest rate of 2.69% (Level 2 input), which is the Company's current interest rate on borrowings. Restricted cash is considered by management to approximate fair value due to the nature of the asset held in a secured interest bearing bank account. The carrying value of cash surrender value of life insurance is also considered by management to approximate fair value as the carrying value is based on the current settlement value under the contract, as provided by the carrier.
Restricted Cash	'
	Restricted Cash
	The Company’s restricted cash includes cash deposited in a secured interest bearing bank account, as required by the Collateral Trust Agreement in connection with the Company’s workers’ compensation insurance policies, as described in note 13.
Segment Reporting	'
	Segment Reporting
	The Company operates as a single reportable segment under ASC 280-10-50 Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	The Company evaluated subsequent events and has included certain of such events in these notes to the financial statements. The Company is not aware of any significant events that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date, but prior to the filing of this report that would have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, other than those that have been disclosed.

Costs_and_Estimated_Earnings_o1

Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Contractors [Abstract]	'
Costs in Excess of Billings and Billings in Excess of Costs	'
	Long-term fixed price electrical construction contracts in progress accounted for using the percentage-of-completion method at December 31 for the years as indicated:
		2013			2012
	Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts	$	31,133,132		$	29,193,963
	Estimated earnings	9,372,782			14,555,825
		40,505,914			43,749,788
	Less billings to date	35,570,006			36,712,296
	Total	$	4,935,908		$	7,037,492
	Included in the balance sheets under the following captions
	Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	$	4,991,754		$	7,411,544
	Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	(55,846		)	(374,052		)
	Total	$	4,935,908		$	7,037,492

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of income tax provision from continuing operations	'
	The following table presents the income tax provision from continuing operations for the years ended December 31 as indicated:
		2013			2012
	Current
	Federal	$	530,367		$	1,121,521
	State	268,810			389,306
		799,177			1,510,827
	Deferred
	Federal	2,160,082			2,755,857
	State	325,388			516,656
		2,485,470			3,272,513
	Total	$	3,284,647		$	4,783,340
	The following table presents the total income tax provision for the years ended December 31 as indicated:
		2013			2012
	Continuing operations	$	3,284,647		$	4,783,340
	Discontinued operations	(476,261		)	—
	Total	$	2,808,386		$	4,783,340
Schedule of deferred tax assets and liabilities	'
	The following table presents the temporary differences and carryforwards, which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 as indicated:
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets
	Accrued vacation	$	149,439		$	115,232
	Acquisition costs capitalized	81,205			—
	Accrued remediation costs	397,247			—
	Accrued payables	42,508			310,622
	Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	3,124			262,360
	Accrued workers’ compensation	172,421			120,617
	Capitalized bidding costs	162,784			83,960
	Inventory adjustments	42,228			42,228
	Accrued lease expense	9,135			3,972
	Accrued percentage-of-completion loss	31,745			173
	Other	1,034			960
	Total deferred tax assets	1,092,870			940,124
	Deferred tax liabilities
	Deferred gain on installment notes	(25,254		)	(29,917		)
	Tax depreciation in excess of financial statement depreciation	(6,428,352		)	(4,182,720		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(6,453,606		)	(4,212,637		)
	Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(5,360,736	)	$	(3,272,513	)
Reconciliation of effective and statutory tax rates from continuing operations	'
	The following table presents the differences between the Company’s effective income tax rate and the federal statutory rate on its income from continuing operations for the years ended December 31 as indicated:
		2013		2012
	Federal statutory rate	34.00%		34.00%
	State tax rate, net of federal tax	5		3.6
	Other non-deductible expenses	1.8		0.4
	Valuation allowance	—		-10.5
	Other	1.4		1.1
	Total	42.20%		28.60%
Reconciliation of beginning and ending unrecognized tax benefits	'
	The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the years as indicated:
		2013			2012
	Balance as of January 1	$	9,486		$	16,772
	Increase from current year tax positions	1,460			—
	Increase from prior years' tax positions	—			101
	Decrease from settlements with taxing authority	—			(7,387		)
	Balance as of December 31	$	10,946		$	9,486

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Discontinued Operations Disclosure	'
	The following table presents the liabilities of discontinued operations, which have been reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets under the caption “accrued remediation costs,” for the years ended December 31 as indicated:
			2013			2012
	Accrued remediation costs current		$	155,667		$	—
	Accrued remediation costs non-current		900,000			—
	Total liabilities of discontinued operations		$	1,055,667		$	—
	The following table presents our results of discontinued operations for the years ended December 31 as indicated:
		2013			2012
	Provision for remediation costs	$	(1,200,000	)	$	—
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	(1,200,000		)	—
	Income tax benefit	476,261			—
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(723,739	)	$	—

Property_Buildings_and_Equipme1

Property, Buildings and Equipment Property, Buildings and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Buildings and Equipment	'
	The following table presents the balances of major classes of properties as of December 31 as indicated:
		Estimated useful lives in years	2013		2012
	Land	—	$	339,460	$	339,460
	Land improvements	Jul-39	261,420		265,153
	Buildings and improvements	May-40	2,018,882		1,992,149
	Leasehold improvements	13-Jul	243,349		136,346
	Machinery and equipment	10-Feb	54,413,095		43,960,277
	Construction in progress	—	137,382		276,568
	Total		57,413,588		46,969,953
	Less accumulated depreciation		25,559,606		23,152,625
	Net properties, buildings and equipment		$	31,853,982	$	23,817,328

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_L1

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	'
	The following table presents the accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of December 31 as indicated:
		2013		2012
	Accounts payable	$	4,622,016	$	3,994,253
	Accrued bonus	1,892,518		819,869
	Accrued payroll costs	641,539		447,595
	Other accrued expenses	696,264		1,376,215
	Total	$	7,852,337	$	6,637,932

Notes_Payable_Tables

Notes Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
The balances of the Company's notes payable	'
	The following table presents the balances of our notes payables as of December 31 as indicated:
		Lending Institution		Maturity Date	2013			2012			Interest Rates
											2013		2012
	Working Capital Loan	Branch Banking and Trust Company		June 16, 2016	$	12,000,000		$	—		2.19	%	2.75	%
	$6.94 Million Equipment Loan	Branch Banking and Trust Company		February 22, 2016	3,692,772			4,931,781			2.69	%	2.75	%
	$1.50 Million Equipment Loan	Branch Banking and Trust Company		October 17, 2016	1,097,000			1,443,000			2.69	%	2.75	%
	$4.25 Million Equipment Loan	Branch Banking and Trust Company		September 19, 2016	3,270,000			4,250,000			2.66	%	2.75	%
	$1.50 Million Equipment Loan (2013)	Branch Banking and Trust Company		April 22, 2017	1,428,571			—			2.66	%	—	%
	$5.0 Million Equipment Loan	Branch Banking and Trust Company		April 22, 2018	4,814,815			—			2.66	%	—	%
	$7.90 Million Installment Sale Contract	Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation		July 17, 2016	5,228,603			7,130,895			3.45	%	3.45	%
	Total notes payable				31,531,761			17,755,676
	Current portion of notes payable				(13,046,080		)	(4,219,720		)
	Notes payable, less current portion				$	18,485,681		$	13,535,956
Schedule of payments of notes payable	'
	The schedule of payments of the notes payable as of December 31, 2013 is as follows:
	2014	$	13,046,080
	2015	6,137,594
	2016	10,723,750
	2017	1,253,968
	2018	370,369
	Total payments of debt	$	31,531,761

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases	'
	Future minimum lease payments under operating leases having initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2013 are as follows:
	2014	$	196,465
	2015	182,298
	2016	186,706
	2017	185,910
	2018	181,362
	2019	174,703
	2020	149,208
	Total minimum operating lease payments	$	1,256,652

Business_Concentration_Tables

Business Concentration (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Major customers [Member]	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'
Schedule of concentration risk	'
	Revenue (in thousands of dollars) to customers exceeding 10% of the Company's total revenue for the years ended December 31 as indicated are as follows:
		2013			2012
		Amount		% of Total revenue	Amount		% of Total revenue
	Electrical construction operations
	Customer A	$	—	—	$	9,135	11
	Customer B	24,568		28	27,337		33
	Customer C	13,787		15	—		—
	Customer D	9,818		11	—		—
	Customer E	—		—	14,466		18
Service/product [Member]	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'
Schedule of concentration risk	'
	Revenue by service/product (in thousands of dollars) for the years ended December 31 as indicated are as follows:
		2013			2012
		Amount		% of Total revenue	Amount		% of Total revenue
	Electrical construction operations
	Transmission & foundation	$	82,581	93	$	77,136	95
	Fiber optics	3,244		4	3,045		4
	Other	2,930		3	252		—
	Total	88,755		100	80,433		99
	All other	449		—	1,196		1
	Total revenue	$	89,204	100	$	81,629	100

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si2

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Maximum service period term (in years)	'1 year
Long-term Incentive Plan [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Share-based compensation expense	0
Level 2 [Member] | Long-term installment notes payable [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Fair value of fixed rate long-term installment notes payable	5,200,000
Interest rate of long-term installment notes payable	2.69%

Costs_and_Estimated_Earnings_o2

Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Contractors [Abstract]	'	'
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts	$31,133,132	$29,193,963
Estimated earnings	9,372,782	14,555,825
Total estimated contract revenue	40,505,914	43,749,788
Less billings to date	35,570,006	36,712,296
Total	4,935,908	7,037,492
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	4,991,754	7,411,544
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	-55,846	-374,052
Contract Receivable, Due after Year One	$1,500,000	$2,800,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current	'	'
Federal	$530,367	$1,121,521
State	268,810	389,306
Current Total	799,177	1,510,827
Deferred	'	'
Federal	2,160,082	2,755,857
State	325,388	516,656
Deferred Total	2,485,470	3,272,513
Total	3,284,647	4,783,340
Continuing operations	3,284,647	4,783,340
Discontinued operations	-476,261	0
Total	2,808,386	4,783,340
Deferred tax assets	'	'
Accrued vacation	149,439	115,232
Acquisition costs capitalized	81,205	0
Accrued remediation costs	397,247	0
Accrued payables	42,508	310,622
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	3,124	262,360
Accrued workersb compensation	172,421	120,617
Capitalized bidding costs	162,784	83,960
Inventory adjustments	42,228	42,228
Accrued lease expense	9,135	3,972
Accrued percentage-of-completion loss	31,745	173
Other	1,034	960
Total deferred tax assets	1,092,870	940,124
Deferred tax liabilities	'	'
Deferred gain on installment notes	-25,254	-29,917
Tax depreciation in excess of financial statement depreciation	-6,428,352	-4,182,720
Total deferred tax liabilities	-6,453,606	-4,212,637
Total net deferred tax liabilities	-5,360,736	-3,272,513
Current deferred tax asset	622,000	773,000
Non-current deferred tax liability	6,000,000	4,000,000
Minimum amount of future taxable income required to realize deferred tax assets	2,800,000	'
Schedule of differences between effective income tax rate and federal statutory rate	'	'
Federal statutory rate	34.00%	34.00%
State tax rate, net of federal tax	5.00%	3.60%
Other non-deductible expenses	1.80%	0.40%
Valuation allowance	0.00%	-10.50%
Other	1.40%	1.10%
Total	42.20%	28.60%
Reconciliation of beginning and ending unrecognized tax benefits	'	'
Balance as of January 1	9,486	16,772
Increase from current year tax positions	1,460	0
Increase from prior years' tax positions	0	101
Decrease from settlements with taxing authority	0	-7,387
Balance as of December 31	10,946	9,486
Income tax interest and penalties expensed during period	1,000	2,000
Accrued income tax interest and penalties	$8,000	$7,000

Discontinued_Operations_Discon

Discontinued Operations Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'	'
Actual investigation and professional services costs	$144,000	'
Accrued remediation costs current	155,667	0
Accrued remediation costs non-current	900,000	0
Total liabilities of discontinued operations	1,055,667	0
Provision for remediation costs	-1,200,000	0
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	-1,200,000	0
Income tax benefit	476,261	0
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	($723,739)	$0
Effective tax rate related to discontinued operations	-39.70%	'
Federal statutory rate	34.00%	34.00%

Property_Buildings_and_Equipme2

Property, Buildings and Equipment Property, Buildings and Equipment (Details) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Land [Member]

Land [Member]

Land improvements [Member}

Land improvements [Member}

Land improvements [Member}

Land improvements [Member}

Buildings and improvements [Member}

Buildings and improvements [Member}

Buildings and improvements [Member}

Buildings and improvements [Member}

Leasehold improvements [Member}

Leasehold improvements [Member}

Leasehold improvements [Member}

Leasehold improvements [Member}

Machinery and equipment [Member}

Machinery and equipment [Member}

Machinery and equipment [Member}

Machinery and equipment [Member}

Construction in progress [Member}

Construction in progress [Member}

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, building and equipment, gross

$57,413,588

$46,969,953

$339,460

$339,460

$261,420

$265,153

'

'

$2,018,882

$1,992,149

'

'

$243,349

$136,346

'

'

$54,413,095

$43,960,277

'

'

$137,382

$276,568

Less accumulated depreciation

25,559,606

23,152,625

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net properties, buildings and equipment

$31,853,982

$23,817,328

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated useful lives in years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'7 years

'39 years

'

'

'5 years

'40 years

'

'

'7 years

'13 years

'

'

'2 years

'10 years

'

'

401_k_Employee_Benefits_Plan_D

401 (k) Employee Benefits Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Maximum annual contribution percentage per employee	100.00%	'
Employer discretionary contributions to the plan	$213	$216

Accounts_Payable_and_Accrued_L2

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts payable	$4,622,016	$3,994,253
Accrued bonus	1,892,518	819,869
Accrued payroll costs	641,539	447,595
Other accrued expenses	696,264	1,376,215
Total	$7,852,337	$6,637,932

Notes_Payable_Details

Notes Payable (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Balances of the Company's notes payable	'	'
Total notes payable	$31,531,761	$17,755,676
Current portion of notes payable	-13,046,080	-4,219,720
Notes payable, less current portion	18,485,681	13,535,956
Working Capital Loan [Member]	'	'
Balances of the Company's notes payable	'	'
Maturity Date	16-Jun-16	'
Note payable balance	12,000,000	0
Interest Rate	2.19%	2.75%
$6.94 Million Equipment Loan [Member]	'	'
Balances of the Company's notes payable	'	'
Loan agreement face amount	6,940,000	'
Maturity Date	22-Feb-16	'
Note payable balance	3,692,772	4,931,781
Interest Rate	2.69%	2.75%
$1.50 Million Equipment Loan [Member]	'	'
Balances of the Company's notes payable	'	'
Loan agreement face amount	1,500,000	'
Maturity Date	17-Oct-16	'
Note payable balance	1,097,000	1,443,000
Interest Rate	2.69%	2.75%
$4.25 Million Equipment Loan [Member]	'	'
Balances of the Company's notes payable	'	'
Loan agreement face amount	4,250,000	'
Maturity Date	19-Sep-16	'
Note payable balance	3,270,000	4,250,000
Interest Rate	2.66%	2.75%
$1.50 Million Equipment Loan (2013) [Member]	'	'
Balances of the Company's notes payable	'	'
Loan agreement face amount	1,500,000	'
Maturity Date	22-Apr-17	'
Note payable balance	1,428,571	0
Interest Rate	2.66%	0.00%
$5.0 Million Equipment Loan [Member]	'	'
Balances of the Company's notes payable	'	'
Loan agreement face amount	5,000,000	'
Maturity Date	22-Apr-18	'
Note payable balance	4,814,815	0
Interest Rate	2.66%	0.00%
$7.90 Million Installment Sale Contract [Member]	'	'
Balances of the Company's notes payable	'	'
Maturity Date	17-Jul-16	'
Note payable balance	$5,228,603	$7,130,895
Interest Rate	3.45%	3.45%

Notes_Payable_Textual_Details

Notes Payable - Textual (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jan. 03, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

$6.94 Million Equipment Loan [Member]

$6.94 Million Equipment Loan [Member]

$1.50 Million Equipment Loan [Member]

$1.50 Million Equipment Loan [Member]

$4.25 Million Equipment Loan [Member]

$4.25 Million Equipment Loan [Member]

$1.50 Million Equipment Loan (2013) [Member]

$1.50 Million Equipment Loan (2013) [Member]

$5.0 Million Equipment Loan [Member]

$5.0 Million Equipment Loan [Member]

$7.90 Million Installment Sale Contract [Member]

$7.90 Million Installment Sale Contract [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Installment

Working Capital Loan [Member]

$3.5 Million Acquisition Loan [Member]

$3.5 Million Acquisition Loan [Member]

$10.0 Million Equipment Loan [Member]

$10.0 Million Equipment Loan [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio less than 1.0 [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio less than 1.0 [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio from 1.0 to 1.5 [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio from 1.0 to 1.5 [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio from 1.0 to 1.5 [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio from 1.5 to 2.0 [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio from 1.5 to 2.0 [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio from 1.5 to 2.0 [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio from 2.0 to 2.5 [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio from 2.0 to 2.5 [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio from 2.0 to 2.5 [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio from 2.5 to 3.0 [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio from 2.5 to 3.0 [Member]

Tangible net worth leverage ratio from 2.5 to 3.0 [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Working Capital Loan [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Notes Payable (Textual) [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loan agreement face amount

'

'

'

'

$6,940,000

'

$1,500,000

'

$4,250,000

'

$1,500,000

'

$5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

$3,500,000

'

$10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving line of credit loan

'

'

15,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basis spread added to monthly LIBOR

'

'

2.00%

2.50%

2.50%

2.50%

2.50%

2.50%

2.50%

2.50%

2.50%

2.50%

2.50%

2.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.75%

'

2.00%

'

'

2.25%

'

'

2.50%

'

'

2.75%

'

'

Tangible net worth threshold ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

1.5

1

'

2

1.5

'

2.5

2

'

3

2.5

Interest payable maximum rate

'

'

24.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unused portion of loan

'

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of Notes Payable

4,821,623

4,139,092

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equipment purchase price

57,413,588

46,969,953

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of installments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Installments amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

176,535

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregating installments amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,473,658

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings outstanding

'

'

12,000,000

0

3,692,772

4,931,781

1,097,000

1,443,000

3,270,000

4,250,000

1,428,571

0

4,814,815

0

5,228,603

7,130,895

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest payable

'

'

2.19%

2.75%

2.69%

2.75%

2.69%

2.75%

2.66%

2.75%

2.66%

0.00%

2.66%

0.00%

3.45%

3.45%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity Date

'

'

16-Jun-16

'

22-Feb-16

'

17-Oct-16

'

19-Sep-16

'

22-Apr-17

'

22-Apr-18

'

17-Jul-16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Monthly payment, percentage of principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.85%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Monthly principal payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

58,350

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of payments of notes payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2014

13,046,080

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2015

6,137,594

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2016

10,723,750

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2017

1,253,968

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2018

370,369

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total payments of debt

$31,531,761

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$196,465	'
2015	182,298	'
2016	186,706	'
2017	185,910	'
2018	181,362	'
2019	174,703	'
2020	149,208	'
Total minimum operating lease payments	1,256,652	'
Total rent expense	$170,000	$178,000
Office space [Member]	'	'
Non-cancelable operating lease period	'7 years	'
Office equipment [Member]	'	'
Non-cancelable operating lease period	'4 years	'

Comments_and_Contingencies_Dis

Comments and Contingencies Disclosure - Performance Bonds (Details) (Performance Bond [Mem ber], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Performance Bond [Mem ber]	'
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'
Outstanding performance bonds	$27.50

Income_Per_Share_of_Common_Sto1

Income Per Share of Common Stock (Details)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'
Shares of treasury stock excluded from weighted average number of common stock shares outstanding	2,362,418	2,362,418

Common_Stock_Repurchase_Plan_D

Common Stock Repurchase Plan (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 16, 2002
			2002 Common Stock Repurchase Plan [Member]	Stock Repurchase Programs Prior to 2002 [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock repurchase plan, number of shares permitted	'	'	3,500,000	'
Total number of shares repurchased	'	'	2,345,060	17,358
Total cost of shares repurchased	$1,308,187	$1,308,187	$1,289,467	$18,720
Average cost per share repurchased (usd per share)	'	'	$0.55	'
Remaining number of shares available to be repurchased	'	'	1,154,940	'

Business_Concentration_Details

Business Concentration (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts receivable and accrued billings, net	$14,194,959	$13,288,812
Revenue [Member] | Major customers [Member] | Customer A [Member]	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, amount	0	9,135,000
Concentration risk, percentage	0.00%	11.00%
Revenue [Member] | Major customers [Member] | Customer B [Member]	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, amount	24,568,000	27,337,000
Concentration risk, percentage	28.00%	33.00%
Revenue [Member] | Major customers [Member] | Customer C [Member]	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, amount	13,787,000	0
Concentration risk, percentage	15.00%	0.00%
Revenue [Member] | Major customers [Member] | Customer D [Member]	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, amount	9,818,000	0
Concentration risk, percentage	11.00%	0.00%
Revenue [Member] | Major customers [Member] | Customer E [Member]	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, amount	0	14,466,000
Concentration risk, percentage	0.00%	18.00%
Revenue [Member] | Service/product [Member]	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, amount	89,204,000	81,629,000
Concentration risk, percentage	100.00%	100.00%
Revenue [Member] | Service/product [Member] | Electrical Construction [Member]	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, amount	88,755,000	80,433,000
Concentration risk, percentage	100.00%	99.00%
Revenue [Member] | Service/product [Member] | Transmission & foundation [Member]	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, amount	82,581,000	77,136,000
Concentration risk, percentage	93.00%	95.00%
Revenue [Member] | Service/product [Member] | Fiber optics [Member]	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, amount	3,244,000	3,045,000
Concentration risk, percentage	4.00%	4.00%
Revenue [Member] | Service/product [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, amount	2,930,000	252,000
Concentration risk, percentage	3.00%	0.00%
Revenue [Member] | Service/product [Member] | All other [Member]	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, amount	$449,000	$1,196,000
Concentration risk, percentage	0.00%	1.00%

Subsequent_Event_Subsequent_Ev

Subsequent Event Subsequent Event (Details) (C and C Power Line, Inc. [Member], Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Acquisition purchase price	$7,250,000
Escrow deposit	725,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Acquisition related costs	$216,000