Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Apr. 25, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Pauley Construction, Inc. ("Pauley"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, filed construction liens on several parcels of land with respect to past due balances from a customer on a rural project funded primarily by the RUS (See Note 4, Accounts Receivable). In April 2014, R&R Taylor Construction, Inc. ("R&R") filed suit against this customer in the Montana Eighteenth Judicial District Court alleging that the customer failed to pay for construction services and materials. In its lawsuit, R&R seeks to foreclose on its construction lien and, ultimately, to foreclose on the parcel of land on which the lien was filed. In July 2014, R&R amended its lawsuit to include Pauley, alleging that its lien on this parcel has priority over Pauley's lien on the parcel. Pauley has filed an answer to this amended complaint, a counterclaim against R&R and a cross-claim against the customer, alleging that Pauley's lien is superior to all other liens on such parcel of land. It is too early to evaluate the likelihood of an outcome to this matter. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against this lawsuit as part of ongoing efforts to collect amounts due from this customer. In November 2013, the wife of a former employee of Nichols Construction, LLC (“Nichols”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, commenced a lawsuit against Nichols in the Circuit Court of Barbour County, West Virginia. The lawsuit, which the plaintiff filed on behalf of her husband’s estate, is based upon a “deliberate intent” claim pursuant to West Virginia Code in connection with the death of her husband who was struck by a falling tree while at work. The plaintiff seeks unspecified damages and other relief. In December 2012, Nichols removed the case to the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, and in January 2015, Nichols filed a motion for summary judgment with respect to certain of the “deliberate intent” issues in the lawsuit. The District Court has not ruled on the motion for summary judgment. Trial is currently scheduled for June 2015. Plaintiff’s expert has estimated economic damages of up to $2.6 million, exclusive of damages for emotional distress. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses and intends to vigorously defend itself against this lawsuit. From time to time, the Company is party to various other claims and legal proceedings. It is the opinion of management, based on information available at this time, that such other pending claims or proceedings will not have a material effect on its financial statements. Within the Company's insurance program, it retains the risk of loss, up to certain limits, for claims related to automobile liability, general liability, workers' compensation, employee group health, and damages relating to underground facility locating services, and the Company has established reserves that it believes to be adequate based on current evaluations and experience with these types of claims. For these claims, the effect on the Company's financial statements is generally limited to the amount needed to satisfy insurance deductibles or retentions. Commitments Performance Bonds and Guarantees - The Company has obligations under performance and other surety contract bonds related to certain of its customer contracts. Performance bonds generally provide a customer with the right to obtain payment and/or performance from the issuer of the bond if the Company fails to perform its contractual obligations. As of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, the Company had $308.7 million and $446.8 million of outstanding performance and other surety contract bonds, respectively. There has been no material impact on the Company's financial statements as a result of customers exercising their rights under the bonds. The Company has periodically guaranteed certain obligations of its subsidiaries, including obligations in connection with obtaining state contractor licenses and leasing real property and equipment. Letters of Credit - The Company has standby letters of credit issued under its Credit Agreement as part of its insurance program. These standby letters of credit collateralize the Company’s obligations to its insurance carriers in connection with the settlement of potential claims. As of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, the Company had $54.4 million and $49.4 million, respectively, of outstanding standby letters of credit issued under the Credit Agreement. Multi-Employer Benefit Plans - The Company contributes to several multi-employer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective bargaining agreements that cover certain employees represented by unions. The Company has not incurred withdrawal liabilities related to any plan as of April 25, 2015 or July 26, 2014.

Commitments and Contingencies

Pauley Construction, Inc. ("Pauley"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, filed construction liens on several parcels of land with respect to past due balances from a customer on a rural project funded primarily by the RUS (See Note 4, Accounts Receivable). In April 2014, R&R Taylor Construction, Inc. ("R&R") filed suit against this customer in the Montana Eighteenth Judicial District Court alleging that the customer failed to pay for construction services and materials. In its lawsuit, R&R seeks to foreclose on its construction lien and, ultimately, to foreclose on the parcel of land on which the lien was filed. In July 2014, R&R amended its lawsuit to include Pauley, alleging that its lien on this parcel has priority over Pauley's lien on the parcel. Pauley has filed an answer to this amended complaint, a counterclaim against R&R and a cross-claim against the customer, alleging that Pauley's lien is superior to all other liens on such parcel of land. It is too early to evaluate the likelihood of an outcome to this matter. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against this lawsuit as part of ongoing efforts to collect amounts due from this customer.

In November 2013, the wife of a former employee of Nichols Construction, LLC (“Nichols”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, commenced a lawsuit against Nichols in the Circuit Court of Barbour County, West Virginia. The lawsuit, which the plaintiff filed on behalf of her husband’s estate, is based upon a “deliberate intent” claim pursuant to West Virginia Code in connection with the death of her husband who was struck by a falling tree while at work. The plaintiff seeks unspecified damages and other relief. In December 2012, Nichols removed the case to the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, and in January 2015, Nichols filed a motion for summary judgment with respect to certain of the “deliberate intent” issues in the lawsuit. The District Court has not ruled on the motion for summary judgment. Trial is currently scheduled for June 2015. Plaintiff’s expert has estimated economic damages of up to $2.6 million, exclusive of damages for emotional distress. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses and intends to vigorously defend itself against this lawsuit.

From time to time, the Company is party to various other claims and legal proceedings. It is the opinion of management, based on information available at this time, that such other pending claims or proceedings will not have a material effect on its financial statements.

Within the Company's insurance program, it retains the risk of loss, up to certain limits, for claims related to automobile liability, general liability, workers' compensation, employee group health, and damages relating to underground facility locating services, and the Company has established reserves that it believes to be adequate based on current evaluations and experience with these types of claims. For these claims, the effect on the Company's financial statements is generally limited to the amount needed to satisfy insurance deductibles or retentions.

Commitments

Performance Bonds and Guarantees - The Company has obligations under performance and other surety contract bonds related to certain of its customer contracts. Performance bonds generally provide a customer with the right to obtain payment and/or performance from the issuer of the bond if the Company fails to perform its contractual obligations. As of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, the Company had $308.7 million and $446.8 million of outstanding performance and other surety contract bonds, respectively. There has been no material impact on the Company's financial statements as a result of customers exercising their rights under the bonds.

The Company has periodically guaranteed certain obligations of its subsidiaries, including obligations in connection with obtaining state contractor licenses and leasing real property and equipment.

Letters of Credit - The Company has standby letters of credit issued under its Credit Agreement as part of its insurance program. These standby letters of credit collateralize the Company’s obligations to its insurance carriers in connection with the settlement of potential claims. As of April 25, 2015 and July 26, 2014, the Company had $54.4 million and $49.4 million, respectively, of outstanding standby letters of credit issued under the Credit Agreement.

Multi-Employer Benefit Plans - The Company contributes to several multi-employer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective bargaining agreements that cover certain employees represented by unions. The Company has not incurred withdrawal liabilities related to any plan as of April 25, 2015 or July 26, 2014.