Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income tax benefits arising from compensation expense for tax purposes in excess of amounts recognized for financial statement purposes Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Benefit from Stock Compensation Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Benefit from Stock Compensation Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Benefit from Stock Compensation Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Legal Entity Legal Entity [Axis] Entity Entity [Domain] Consolidated Joint Venture Consolidated Joint Venture [Member] Joint venture which is consolidated for financial statement purposes. NVR has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary because the Company has the controlling financial interest in the joint venture. Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Condensed Balance Sheets Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Segments Segments [Axis] Segments Segments [Domain] Homebuilding: Home Building [Member] Mortgage Banking: Mortgage Banking [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Measurement Frequency Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Debt Instrument Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Senior Notes due 2022 Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Twenty Two [Member] Senior notes due two thousand twenty two. Financial Instrument Financial Instrument [Axis] Financial Instruments Financial Instruments [Domain] Rate lock commitments Interest Rate Lock Commitments [Member] Forward sales contracts Forward Contracts [Member] Mortgages held for sale Mortgages Held For Sale [Member] Mortgages held for sale. Hedging Designation Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation Hedging Designation [Domain] Not Designated as Hedging Instrument Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Senior Notes fair value Long-term Debt, Fair Value Senior Notes Senior Notes Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability Trade and Loans Receivables Held-for-sale, Net, Not Part of Disposal Group Trade and Loans Receivables Held-for-sale, Net, Not Part of Disposal Group Fair Value, Option, Changes in Fair Value, Gain (Loss) Fair Value, Option, Changes in Fair Value, Gain (Loss) Fair Value Principal Amount Loans Held for Sale Fair Value Principal Amount Loans Held for Sale nvr:FairValuePrincipalAmountLoansHeldforSale Total fair value measurement gain/(loss) Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net Fair value adjustment income (expense) Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net Remeasurement of net deferred tax assets due to enactment of Tax Cut and Jobs Act Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Change in Tax Rate, Deferred Tax Asset, Income Tax Expense Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Change in Tax Rate, Deferred Tax Asset, Income Tax Expense Excess tax benefits from equity-based compensation Estimated federal taxable income Estimated Federal Taxable Income Estimated federal taxable income. Statutory federal income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Tax benefit from equity benefit plan activity Effective tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect effective tax rate Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate Reversal of accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Expense, Reversal The reversal of accrued interest for an overpayment of income taxes computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between a tax position recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return of the entity. Total accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued Reduction in unrecognized tax benefits Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit Leases - Components of Lease Expense [Abstract] Leases - Components of Lease Expense [Abstract] Lessee, Lease, Description [Table] Lessee, Lease, Description [Table] Lease Arrangement, Type [Axis] Lease Arrangement, Type [Axis] Lease Arrangement, Type [Domain] Lease Arrangement, Type [Domain] Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] Operating lease expense Operating Lease, Expense Amortization of ROU assets Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Amortization Interest on lease liabilities Finance Lease, Interest Expense Short-term lease expense Short-term Lease, Cost Total lease expense Lease, Cost Deferred tax assets: Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract] Other accrued expenses and contract land deposit reserve Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Other Deferred compensation Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Compensation Equity-based compensation expense Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Share-based Compensation Cost Inventory Deferred Tax Assets, Inventory Unrecognized tax benefit Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Reserves Other Deferred Tax Assets, Other Total deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Gross Less: Deferred tax liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross Net deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Net Provision for Income Taxes Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block] Deferred Income Taxes on Consolidated Balance Sheets Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Income Tax Expense Reconciliation Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block] Leases - Table Text Blocks [Abstract] Leases - Table Text Blocks [Abstract] ScheduleOfSupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedToLeases [Table Text Block] Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases [Table Text Block] ScheduleOfSupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedToLeases [Table Text Block] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block] Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block] Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Lease, Cost [Table Text Block] Lease, Cost [Table Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Commitments and contingencies. Credit Agreement Credit Agreement [Member] Arrangement in which aggregate revolving loan commitments can be obtained by NVR for use in working capital and general corporate purposes. The total amount borrowed cannot exceed a specified maximum amount, which is also subject to certain sublimit. Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments and contingencies. Rent expense under operating leases Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net Maximum range of deposits required under the purchase agreements Maximum Percentage Of Deposits Required Under Purchase Agreements Maximum percentage of deposits required under the purchase agreements. Contingent forfeitable deposits with land developers Contingent Forfeitable Deposits With Land Developers Amounts represent required payments of forfeitable deposits with land developers under existing, fixed price purchase agreements, assuming that contractual development milestones are met by the developers. Finished lots committed to purchase under specific performance obligations Finished Lots Committed To Purchase Finished lots committed to purchase under specific performance obligations. Purchase price of finished lots committed to purchase under specific performance obligations Contingent Specific Performance Obligations Contingent specific performance obligations. Aggregate additional funding commitments related to raw land property development Aggregate Additional Funding Commitments Related To Raw Land Property Development Aggregate additional funding commitments related to raw land property development. Expected development credit offset amount Expected Development Credit Offset Amount Expected Development Credit Offset Amount Contingent obligations under bonds or letters of credit arrangements Contingent Obligations Under Bond Or Letter Of Credit Arrangements Contingent obligations under bond or letter of credit arrangements with local municipalities, government agencies, or land developers Contingent obligations under letters of credit arrangements Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Significant accounting policies. Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Forecast [Member] Scenario, Forecast [Member] Balance Sheet Location Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Other Assets Other Assets [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Model home furniture and fixtures Furniture and Fixtures [Member] Office facilities and other Office Facilities And Other Equipment [Member] Office facilities and other equipment. Manufacturing Facilities Manufacturing Facility [Member] Range Range [Axis] Range Range [Domain] Minimum Minimum [Member] Maximum Maximum [Member] Business Acquisition Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Acquiree Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Heartland Homes Inc Heartland Homes Inc [Member] NVR completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Heartland Homes, Inc. on December 31, 2012. Heartland Homes operates in the Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan area, and its products are marketed primarily to move-up and up-scale buyers. Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Type of Adoption [Domain] Type of Adoption [Domain] Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] Equity Components Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component Equity Component [Domain] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Significant accounting policies. Net Contract Land Deposit Impairment Recoveries Net Contract Land Deposit Impairment Recoveries Net Contract Land Deposit Impairment Recoveries Customer deposits Customer Advances and Deposits Capitalized Contract Cost, Net Capitalized Contract Cost, Net Cash Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Contract land deposit (recoveries) impairments, net Contract Land Deposit Impairment Recoveries Amount of impairment or subsequent recovery related to contract land deposits. Contract land deposit assets impairment valuation allowances Loss Reserve On Contract Land Deposits The reserve account established to account for expected but unspecified losses related to contract land deposits. Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life Impairment of goodwill Goodwill, Impairment Loss Finite-lived intangibles acquired from business acquisition, net of accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Weighted average life of finite-lived intangible assets Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life Goodwill acquired from business acquisition Goodwill Typical length of days loans sold into secondary market Originated Loan Time Period Before Sale Period of time originated loans are held before being sold into the secondary market. Operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2016-09, net of tax Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Common shares outstanding (in Shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Reissued shares during the period, shares (in Shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Treasury Stock Reissued For Equity Plan Activity Number of treasury shares reissued during the period to satisfy equity-based compensation obligations exercised by the holders of such rights. Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure [Abstract] Variable Interest Entities Variable Interest Entity Disclosure [Text Block] Movement in Warranty Reserve [Roll Forward] Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward] Warranty reserve, beginning of year Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual Provision Costs Accrued For New Warranty Contracts And Changes In Estimates For Pre Existing Warranties Represents the aggregate increase in the liability for accruals related to standard and extended product warranties issued during the reporting period and changes in estimates for pre-existing warranties. Payments Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Decrease for Payments Warranty reserve, end of year Mortgage Repurchase Reserve [Abstract] Mortgage Repurchase Reserve [Abstract] Mortgage Repurchase Reserve Mortgage Repurchase Reserve [Text Block] Mortgage Repurchase Reserve Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Information, Nature of Operations, and Certain Concentrations Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table] Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table] Consolidation Items Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items Consolidation Items [Domain] Profit before taxes: Operating Segments [Member] Reconciling items: Corporate And Reconciling Items [Member] Corporate And Reconciling Items Geographical Geographical [Axis] Geographical Geographical [Domain] Mid Atlantic Mid Atlantic [Member] The Homebuilding reportable segment in the Mid Atlantic geographic area is comprised of operating divisions in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and Washington, D.C. North East North East [Member] The Homebuilding reportable segment in the North East geographic area is comprised of operating divisions in New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Mid East Mid East [Member] The Homebuilding reportable segment in the Mid East geographic area is comprised of operating divisions in New York, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois. South East South East [Member] The Homebuilding reportable segment in the South East geographic area is comprised of operating divisions in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] Assets Assets Cash and cash equivalents Deferred taxes Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net Intangible assets and goodwill Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill) Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Contract land deposit reserve Consolidation adjustments and other Consolidation Entries And Other For Assets Consolidation entries and other for assets. Real Estate [Abstract] Land Under Development Land Under Development Disclosure [Text Block] The entire disclosure for land under development. Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Award Date Award Date [Axis] Award Date Award Date [Domain] Options Granted in Current Year Options Granted In Current Year [Member] Options granted by NVR during the current year. Vesting Vesting [Axis] Vesting Vesting [Domain] Option Grant Solely Contingent upon Continued Employment or Continued Service as a Director Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member] Option Grant Contingent upon Continued Employment or Service as a Director and Achievement of Performance Metric Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member] Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member] Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member] Award Type Award Type [Axis] Equity Award Equity Award [Domain] RSUs Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Employee Service Only Stock Option [Member] Employee Service Only Stock Option [Member] Employee Service Only Stock Option [Member] Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit [Member] Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit [Member] Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit [Member] Options Employee Stock Option [Member] Employee Performance Based Stock Option [Member] Employee Performance Based Stock Option [Member] Employee Performance Based Stock Option [Member] Plan Name Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name Plan Name [Domain] 2000 Broadly-Based Stock Option Plan Two Thousand Plan [Member] 2000 Plan. 2010 Plan Two Thousand Ten, Equity Plan [Member] Two Thousand Ten, Equity Plan [Member] 2014 Plan Two Thousand Fourteen, Equity Plan [Member] Two Thousand Fourteen, Equity Plan [Member] 2018 Plan Two Thousand Eighteen, Equity Plan [Member] Two Thousand Eighteen, Equity Plan [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Option vesting rights Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights Shares Authorized Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Options/RSUs Outstanding Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options And Restricted Share Units Outstanding Number Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award options and restricted share units outstanding number. Shares Available to Issue Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant Options issued under the plan (in Shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period Granted (Shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Restricted share units vesting period or option vesting period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Percentage of options vesting rights Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage Notional or Principal Amount Assumed Gain/(Loss) From Loan Sale Fair Value Measurement Assumed Gain Loss From Loan Sale Fair value measurement assumed gain (loss) from loan sale. Interest Rate Movement Effect Fair Value Measurements Interest Rate Movement Effect Interest rate movement effect on fair value measurement. Servicing Rights Value Fair Value Measurements Changes In Servicing Rights Value Fair value measurement changes attributable to servicing rights value changes. Security Price Change Fair Value Measurements Security Price Change Gain Loss Included In Earnings Security price change effect on fair value measurement. Total Fair Value Measurement Gain/(Loss) Leases - Footnote [Abstract] Leases - Footnote [Abstract] Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block] Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block] Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block] Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block] Lessee, Finance Leases [Text Block] Lessee, Finance Leases [Text Block] 2014 Plan Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Shares authorized Options outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Restricted share units outstanding Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options Outstanding, Number Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options Outstanding, Number Performance metric period Performance Metric Based On Return On Capital Performance Period Performance metric based on return on capital performance period. Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Gross assets Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Gross liabilities Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability Net commitments Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Asset, at Fair Value Capitalized Interest Costs, Including Allowance for Funds Used During Construction [Abstract] Summary of Interest Costs Incurred, Capitalized, Expensed and Charged to Cost of Sales Summary Of Interest Costs Incurred Capitalized Expensed And Charged To Cost Of Sales [Table Text Block] Summary of interest costs incurred capitalized expensed and charged to cost of sales. Leases - Additional Information [Abstract] Leases - Additional Information [Abstract] Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract Lessee, Operating Lease, Option to Extend Lessee, Operating Lease, Option to Extend Equity-Based Compensation, Profit Sharing and Deferred Compensation Plans Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Current: Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Federal Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) State Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred: Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Federal Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) State Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Total Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Aggregate exercise proceeds Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Aggregate intrinsic value on exercise dates Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Treasury Stock Treasury Stock [Member] Deferred Compensation Trust Deferred Compensation Trust [Member] Deferred compensation trust. Deferred Compensation Liability Deferred Compensation Liability [Member] Deferred compensation liability. Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2016-09, net of tax Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Deferred compensation activity, net Deferred Compensation Activity Adjustments Deferred compensation activities during period Purchase of common stock for treasury Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Equity-based compensation Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Proceeds from stock options exercised Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation and Exercise of Stock Options Treasury stock issued upon option exercise and restricted share vesting Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Ending Balance Anti-dilutive securities (in Shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated [Table] Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated [Table] Other unallocated interest income Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] Expenditures for property and equipment: Property, Plant and Equipment, Additions Aggregate purchase price Number of shares repurchased (in Shares) Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] Quarterly Financial Information [Table] Quarterly Financial Information [Table] Quarterly financial information. Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items] Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items] Quarterly financial information. Gross profit Gross Profit Revenues Revenues Loans closed Loans Closed Principal amount of loans closed during the period. Diluted earnings per share Earnings Per Share, Diluted New orders (units) Number Of New Orders Number of new orders. Settlements (units) Number Of Settlements Number of housing units that have settled during the period. Backlog (units) Number Of Backlog Units At Period End Amount of housing units that are backlogged as of the period end. Quarterly Results (unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Equity [Abstract] Common Stock Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Concentration Risk Type Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Geographic Concentration Risk Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] District of Columbia DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Maryland, Baltimore MARYLAND Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Number of trade names Number of Trade Names Number of Trade Names Number of metropolitan areas Ryan Homes product are sold Number Of Metropolitan Areas Sales The number of metropolitan areas that Ryan Homes products are sold in. Revenue derived Concentration Risk, Percentage Number of reportable segments Number of Reportable Segments Senior notes interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Joint Ventures [Table] Joint Ventures [Table] Joint ventures. Income Statement Location Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location Income Statement Location [Domain] Cost of Sales Cost of Sales [Member] Joint Ventures [Line Items] Joint Ventures [Line Items] Joint ventures. Accrued expenses and other liabilities Accrued Liabilities Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCapitalizedInterestPortion EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCapitalizedInterestPortion The portion of the other-than-temporary impairment charge related to interest previously capitalized to land under development inventory. Aggregate investment Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures Number of joint ventures Number Of Joint Ventures Number of joint ventures. Expected production of finished lots Expected Production Of Finished Lots From Joint Ventures Expected production of finished lots from joint ventures. Total lots controlled by company under the joint venture Joint Venture Lots Controlled By Company Joint venture lots controlled by company. Total lots either under contract with unrelated parties or not under the current contract Joint Venture Lots Either Under Contract With Unrelated Parties Or Not Under Contract Joint venture lots either under contract with unrelated parties or not under contract. Additional funding commitments in the aggregate Aggregate Additional Funding Commitments Aggregate additional funding commitments. Number of joint ventures with additional funding commitment Number Joint Ventures With Additional Funding Commitment The number of joint ventures to which NVR has an additional funding commitment. Number of joint ventures NVR is not primary beneficiary Number Of Joint Ventures Company Is Not Primary Beneficiary Number of joint ventures the Company is deemed not the primary beneficiary. Summary of Changes in Product Warranties Reserve Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block] Pre-tax charges for loan losses related to mortgage loans sold Provision for Loan Losses Expensed Mortgage repurchase reserve Mortgage Repurchase Reserve, Real Estate Mortgage Repurchase Reserve, Real Estate Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Related Party Related Party [Axis] Related Party Related Party [Domain] Elm Street Elm Street [Member] Elm street. Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Related party forward lot purchase agreements purchase price Related Party Lot Purchase Agreements Purchase Price Related party lot purchase agreements purchase price. Number of related parties for forward lot purchase agreement Number Of Related Parties For Forward Lot Purchase Agreement Number of related parties for forward lot purchase agreement. Market price of developed lots Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party Expected number of lots from joint venture with Elm Street Expected Yield Of Related Party Lots Expected yield of finished lots with remaining land of related party. Additional funding to joint venture by NVR and Elm Street Additional Funding To Joint Venture Additional Funding To Joint Venture Development costs to manage property under related party transactions Management Fee Paid To Related Party Management fee paid to related party for property development. Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Repurchase Agreement Repurchase Agreement [Member] A revolving line of credit facility used by NVR Mortgage to finance the purchase of loans. Credit Facility Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility Credit Facility [Domain] Revolving Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Long-term Debt, Type Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Sublimit for Issuance of Letters of Credit Sublimit For Issuance Of Letters Of Credit [Member] Sublimit for issuance of letters of credit. Sublimit for Swing Line Commitment Sublimit For Swing Line Commitment [Member] Sublimit for swing line commitment. Variable Rate Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate Variable Rate [Domain] Federal Funds Rate Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member] Eurodollar Rate Eurodollar [Member] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Senior notes principal amount Debt Instrument, Face Amount Senior notes maturity date Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Senior notes effective interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Senior notes proceeds Proceeds from Debt, Net of Issuance Costs Frequency of senior notes payment Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment Debt issuance cost Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense Maximum loan borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Increase in commitment available Line Of Credit Maximum Incremental Commitment Amount The Maximum Incremental Commitment amount is the sum of all incremental commitments under the repurchase facility. Letters of credit outstanding Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding Line of credit facility, interest rate description Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description Debt instrument, marginal interest rate Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Debt outstanding Warehouse Agreement Borrowings Borrowing base limitations Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity Estimated option life Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Risk free interest rate (range), minimum Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Minimum Risk free interest rate (range), maximum Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Maximum Expected volatility (range), minimum Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Minimum Expected volatility (range), maximum Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Maximum Expected dividend rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Weighted average grant-date fair value per share of options granted Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Exercise price Restricted Share Units Exercise Price Exercise price of restricted share units. Number of years for options granted Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period Options granted (in Shares) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Time And Performance Based Share Option Grants In Period The number of share options granted during the period for which vesting is subject to continued employment and return on Capital performance during years Options granted (in Shares) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Time Based Share Option Grants In Period The number of share options granted during the period for which vesting is subject solely to continued employment. Percentage of options vesting rights Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Vesting Rights Percentage At Future Period Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award vesting rights percentage at future period. Restricted share units grants during period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Equity-based compensation expense Share-based Compensation Tax benefit related to equity-based compensation costs Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense Total unrecognized compensation cost for all outstanding Options and RSUs Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized Weighted-average period over which the unrecognized compensation will be recorded Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Options exercised (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Treasury Stock Reissued Upon Exercise Of Stock Option And Other Number of treasury shares reissued during the period to satisfy equity-based compensation obligations exercised by the holders of such rights. Combined plan contribution Combined Plan Contributions Employee Stock Ownership Plan And Profit Sharing Plan This item represents the amount of contributions made during the period to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and Profit Sharing Plan (PSP). Shares contributed to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (in Shares) Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Shares Contributed to ESOP Number of deferred compensation plans Number Of Deferred Compensation Plans Number of deferred compensation plans. Common stock, shares held in rabbi trust, shares (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Held in Employee Trust, Shares Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Total Risk of Loss Related to Contract Land Deposits Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table] Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table] Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] Consolidated revenues Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Interest income Interest and Fee Income, Loans Held-for-sale, Mortgages Other unallocated interest income Interest Income, Operating Consolidated interest income Interest Income Sum of interest income from operating activities and interest and fee income from mortgage loans considered to be held-for-sale. Acquisition costs of land under development and finished lots Payments to Acquire Land Held-for-use Number of finished lots for use in homebuilding operations Number Of Finished Lots Intended To Be Developed From Raw Parcels Of Land Number of finished lots intended to be developed from raw parcels of land for use in homebuilding operation. Number of raw parcels of land owned Number Of Raw Parcels Of Land Owned Number of raw parcels of land owned. Carrying value of raw parcels of land Inventory, Real Estate, Land and Land Development Costs Aggregate additional funding commitments related to raw land property under joint development Expected development credits that will offset the aggregate additional funding commitments related to raw land property development Leases - Supplemental Cash Flows [Abstract] Leases - Supplemental Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating cash flows from operating leases Operating Lease, Payments Operating cash flows from finance leases Finance Lease, Interest Payment on Liability Financing cash flows from finance leases Finance Lease, Principal Payments Operating leases Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Finance leases Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability Operating leases Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Finance leases Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Operating leases Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Finance leases Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Commitments and Contingent Liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Capitalized Interest Capitalized Interest Disclosure [Text Block] The entire disclosure for capitalized interest costs. Stock Options Time Based Restricted Stock Unit [Member] TimeBasedRestrictedStockUnitMember [Member] nvr_TimeBasedRestrictedStockUnitMember [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Stock Option, Shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract] Outstanding at beginning of period (Shares) Exercised (Shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Forfeited (Shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period Outstanding at end of period (Shares) Exercisable at end of period (Shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Weighted Average Per Share Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Outstanding at beginning of period (Weighted Average Exercise Price) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Granted (Weighted Average Exercise Price) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercised (Weighted Average Exercise Price) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Forfeited (Weighted Average Exercise Price) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at end of period (Weighted Average Exercise Price) Exercisable at end of period (Weighted Average Exercise Price) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price RSU, Shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Outstanding at beginning of period (Shares) Granted (Shares) Vested (Shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Forfeited (Shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Outstanding at end of period (Shares) Vested, but not issued at end of period (Shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested Outstanding, Number Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested Outstanding, Number Remaining Contractual Life and Aggregate Intrinsic Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract] Outstanding at end of period (Weighted Average Remaining Contract Life (Years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Exercisable at end of period (Weighted Average Remaining Contract Life (Years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Outstanding at end of period (Aggregate Intrinsic Value) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Exercisable at end of period (Aggregate Intrinsic Value) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Vested, but not issued at end of period (Aggregate Intrinsic Value) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested Outstanding Number Aggregate Intrinsic Value The total dollar difference between fair values of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of vested portions of equity-based payment instruments outstanding and currently exercisable under the equity-based plan as of the balance sheet date. Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] Principles of Consolidation Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Homebuilding Inventory Inventory, Real Estate, Policy [Policy Text Block] Contract Land Deposits Contract Land Deposits Policy [Text Block] Disclosure of accounting policy for fixed price purchase agreements used to secure finished lot purchases. Land Under Development Real Estate Held for Development and Sale, Policy [Policy Text Block] Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Indefinite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block] Warranty/Product Liability Reserves Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block] Mortgage Loans Held for Sale, Derivatives and Hedging Activities Loans and Leases Receivable, Mortgage Banking Activities, Policy [Policy Text Block] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Revenues-Homebuilding Operations Revenue Recognition, Real Estate Transactions, Policy [Policy Text Block] Mortgage Banking Fees Loans and Leases Receivable, Origination Fees, Discounts or Premiums, and Direct Costs to Acquire Loans Policy [Policy Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] Financial Instruments Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block] Equity-Based Compensation Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block] Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block] Reclassifications Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Undesignated Derivative Instruments Schedule Of Undesignated Derivative Instruments In Statement Of Financial Position Fair Value [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the location and fair value amounts of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments reported in the statement of financial position. Fair Value Measurement Unrealized Gain Loss From Change In Fair Value Measurements Included In Earnings [Table Text Block] Unrealized gain (loss) from change in fair value measurements of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments included in earnings. Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Consolidated interest expense Interest Expense Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment ("PP&E") Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information. Document Type Document Type Document Annual Report Document Annual Report Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Entity File Number Entity File Number Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code City Area Code City Area Code Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Consolidated depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Leases - ASC 840 Disclosure [Abstract] Leases - ASC 840 Disclosure [Abstract] Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Four Years Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Future Minimum Sublease Rentals Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Future Minimum Sublease Rentals Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Less Sublease Rentals Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Less Sublease Rentals The total of future contractually required payments on leases defined as operating lease less contractually required future rental payments receivable on non-cancelable subleasing arrangements defined as operating. Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Production facilities Production Facility [Member] Production facility. Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Finance lease right-of-use assets Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Less: accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Net Homebuilding PP&E Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Quarterly Financial Data and Operating Information Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] Balance at beginning of year Unrecognized Tax Benefits Additions based on tax positions related to the current year Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions Reductions for tax positions of prior years Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Settlements Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities Balance at end of year Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Variable Interest Entities Variable Interest Entities [Axis] Variable Interest Entity, Classification Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] Variable Interest Entities Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] Contract on Raw Ground with Landowners Raw Ground Contracts Variable Interest Entity Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] Raw ground contracts variable interest entity not primary beneficiary. Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Lots controlled by NVR Lots Controlled By Company Lots controlled by NVR. Contract land deposits in cash under Lot Purchase Agreements Contract Land Deposits On Lot Purchase Agreements The gross amount as of the balance sheet date of deposits paid to secure the right to purchase finished lots under lot purchase agreements. Letters of credit related to lots Letter Of Credit On Lot Purchase Agreements Letter of credit on lot purchase agreements. Contract land deposits in cash Contract Land Deposits The gross amount as of the balance sheet date of deposits paid to secure the right to purchase finished lots. Letters of credit on raw land contracts Letters Of Credit On Raw Land Contracts Letters of credit issued for deposits on raw land contracts. Refundable deposits Refundable Deposits Portion of deposits and letters of credit made on raw land contracts which may be refundable. Income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Amount State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Amount Other, net Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount Leases [Abstract] Operating Leases [Member] Operating Leases [Member] Operating Leases [Member] Finance Leases [Member] Finance Leases [Member] Finance Leases [Member] Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Twelve Months Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Twelve Months Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Year Five Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Year Five Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Imputed interest Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Short-term Lease Commitment, Amount Short-term Lease Commitment, Amount Operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability Finance Lease, Liability Finance Lease, Liability Operating Lease Liabilities, Payments Due [Abstract] Operating Lease Liabilities, Payments Due [Abstract] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Twelve Months Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Twelve Months Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Year Five Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Year Five Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Weighted Average Shares and Share Equivalents Used to Calculate Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block] Summary of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] Income Statement [Abstract] Other income Other Income Cost of sales Cost of Goods and Services Sold Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense Operating income Operating Income (Loss) General and administrative General and Administrative Expense Interest expense Income before taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Domestic Income tax expense Net income Basic earnings per share Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic weighted average shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted weighted average shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment ("PP&E") Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Assets: Assets [Abstract] Other assets Other Assets Total assets Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets Liabilities and equity: Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Accrued expenses Equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] ASSETS Restricted cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Receivables Accounts Receivable, Net Inventory: Inventory, Net [Abstract] Lots and housing units, covered under sales agreements with customers Lots And Housing Units Covered Under Sales Agreements With Customers Carrying amount as of balance sheet date of lots and capitalized construction costs of homes covered under sales agreements with customers. Unsold lots and housing units Unsold Lots And Housing Units Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of lots and capitalized construction costs of homes not covered under sales agreements with customers. Land under development Building materials and other Real Estate Inventory, Construction Materials Total Inventory Inventory, Operative Builders Contract land deposits, net Deposits Assets Property, plant and equipment, net Reorganization value in excess of amounts allocable to identifiable assets, net Postconfirmation, Reorganization Value in Excess of Amounts Allocable to Identifiable Assets Deferred tax assets, net Total assets LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts payable Accounts Payable Senior notes Accounts payable and other liabilities Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Shareholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 20,555,330 shares issued as of both December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Deferred compensation trust – 107,295 and 107,340 shares of NVR, Inc. common stock as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively Common Stock, Shares Held in Employee Trust Deferred compensation liability Deferred Compensation Liability, Current and Noncurrent Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Less treasury stock at cost – 16,922,558 and 16,977,499 shares as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively Treasury Stock, Value Total shareholders' equity Share Repurchases of Common Stock Repurchase Of Common Stock Table [Text Block] Repurchase of common stock. Contract land deposits Loss reserve on contract land deposits Contract land deposits, net Contingent obligations in the form of letters of credit Letters Of Credit Related To Lots Letters of credit related to contract land deposits. Contingent specific performance obligations (1) Total risk of loss Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted Summary of Equity-Based Compensation Plans with Grants Outstanding [Table Text Block] Summary of Equity-Based Compensation Plans with Grants Outstanding [Table Text Block] [Table Text Block] for Summary of Equity-Based Compensation Plans with Grants Outstanding [Table] Summary of Equity-Based Compensation Plans with Grants Outstanding Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Grants Outstanding [Table Text Block] Schedule of share-based compensation arrangements by share-based payment award, grants outstanding. Equity-Based Compensation Plans Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table Text Block] Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model Assumptions Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Exercised Option Proceeds Cash Proceeds Received and Tax Benefit from Share-based Payment Awards [Table Text Block] Corporate Reconciling Items And Eliminations [Member] Corporate Reconciling Items And Eliminations [Member] Corporate reconciling items and eliminations. Corporate capital allocation (2) Corporate Capital Allocation Charge The corporate capital allocation charge is eliminated in consolidation and is based on the segment’s average net assets employed. Joint Ventures Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block] Capitalized Interest Costs Including Allowance for Funds Used During Construction RollForward Capitalized Interest Costs Including Allowance for Funds Used During Construction RollForward [Roll Forward] Capitalized Interest Costs Including Allowance for Funds Used During Construction RollForward [Roll Forward] Interest capitalized, beginning of year Real Estate Inventory, Capitalized Interest Costs Interest incurred Interest Costs Incurred Interest charged to cost of sales Real Estate Inventory, Capitalized Interest Costs, Cost of Sales Interest capitalized, end of year Revenues Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Profit before Taxes Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Assets Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Interest Income Reconciliation Of Interest Income From Segment To Consolidated Table [Text Block] Reconciliation of interest income from segment to consolidated. Interest Expense Reconciliation Of Interest Expense From Segment To Consolidated Table [Text Block] Reconciliation of interest expense from segment to consolidated. Depreciation and Amortization Reconciliation Of Depreciation And Amortization From Segment To Consolidated Table [Text Block] Reconciliation of depreciation and amortization from segment to consolidated. Expenditures for Property and Equipment Reconciliation Of Expenditures For Property And Equipment From Segment To Consolidated Table [Text Block] Reconciliation of expenditures for property and equipment from segment to consolidated. Corporate Capital Allocation Charge Reconciliation Of Corporate Capital Allocation Charge From Segment To Consolidated Table [Text Block] Reconciliation of corporate capital allocation charge from segment to consolidated. Fair Value Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table] Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table] Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items] Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items] Contract land deposit reserve adjustment Contract Land Deposit Reserve Adjustment Contract land deposit reserve adjustment. Equity-based compensation expense (1) Unallocated corporate overhead Unallocated Corporate Overhead Unallocated corporate overhead. Consolidation adjustments and other Consolidation Adjustments And Other Consolidation adjustments and other. Corporate interest expense Consolidated profit before taxes Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Gain on sale of loans, net Gain (Loss) on Sale of Mortgage Loans Deferred tax (benefit) expense Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Mortgage loans closed Payments for Origination of Mortgage Loans Held-for-sale Mortgage loans sold and principal payments on mortgage loans held for sale Proceeds from Sale of Mortgage Loans Held-for-sale Distribution of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution Net change in assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Increase in inventory Increase (Decrease) in Inventories (Increase) decrease in contract land deposits Increase (Decrease) in Deposits Outstanding Decrease (increase) in receivables Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Decrease) increase in customer deposits Increase (Decrease) in Customer Deposits Other, net Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture Distribution of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution, Return of Capital Purchase of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Purchase of treasury stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Distributions to partner in consolidated variable interest entity Payments to Noncontrolling Interests Proceeds from the exercise of stock options Net cash used in financing activities Net increase in cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents, end of the year Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Interest paid during the year, net of interest capitalized Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities Income taxes paid during the year, net of refunds Income Taxes Paid, Net Finance Lease, Principal Payments Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic EPS (in Shares) Dilutive securities: Incremental Weighted Average Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect [Abstract] Stock options and restricted share units (in Shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Weighted average number of shares and share equivalents outstanding used to calculate diluted EPS (in Shares) Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Deferred compensation trust, shares Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares