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Variable Interest Entities and Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Total risk related to lot options
Contract land deposits	$ 202,263	$ 174,303
Contract land deposit reserve	(70,333)	(73,517)	(94,940)
Contract land deposits, net	131,930	100,786
Contingent obligations in the form of letters of credit	3,228	6,610
Contingent specific performance obligations	8,526	1,944
Total risk of loss	$ 143,684	$ 109,340

X

- Definition

Contingent obligations in the form of letters of credit.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	nvr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Contingent specific performance obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nvr_ContingentSpecificPerformanceObligations
Namespace Prefix:	nvr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The gross amount as of the balance sheet date of deposits paid to secure the right to purchase finished lots under fixed price purchase agreements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nvr_ContractLandDeposits
Namespace Prefix:	nvr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Quantifies the entity's maximum exposure to loss related to contract land deposits.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nvr_ContractLandDepositsRiskOfLoss
Namespace Prefix:	nvr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The net change during the reporting period in the reserve account established to account for expected but unspecified losses related to contract land deposits.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nvr_LossReserveOnContractLandDeposits
Namespace Prefix:	nvr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	nvr_RiskRelatedToLotOptionsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	nvr_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Carrying value of amounts transferred to third parties for security purposes that are expected to be returned or applied towards payment in the future.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 17

-Article 5



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant