Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation These consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries which are directly or indirectly owned by the Company. Results of acquired companies are included in the consolidated financial statements from the effective date of the acquisition. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. On an ongoing basis, management reviews its estimates, including those related to allowances for doubtful accounts, revenue recognition, self-insurance reserves, estimates related to the Company’s assessment of goodwill for impairment, useful lives for depreciation and amortization, realizability of deferred tax assets, and litigation based on currently available information. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates and actual results may differ from estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include deposits in banks and money market funds with maturities of less than three months at the time of deposit or investment. Under our cash management system, checks issued but not yet presented to banks that would result in negative bank balances when presented are classified as a current liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in book overdrafts from period to period are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as a financing activity.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company reserves for all accounts that are deemed to be uncollectible and reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts regularly. The allowance is based on the age of receivables and a specific identification of receivables considered at risk, representing its best estimate of probable credit losses in existing trade accounts receivable (see Note 5 "Accounts Receivable, net"). Account balances are written off against the allowance when the potential for recovery is considered remote. Accounts receivable also includes customer balances that have been billed or are billable to the Company’s customers but will not be collected until completion of the project or as otherwise specified in the contract. These amounts generally represent 5-10% of the total contract value.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment is carried at cost, including the cost of labor for internal use software, less accumulated depreciation, except for those assets acquired through a business combination, in which case they have been stated at estimated fair value as of the date of the business combination, less accumulated depreciation. Costs of replacements or maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of the related assets are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets and included in Cost of services provided or Selling, general and administrative expense as appropriate.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the underlying net assets acquired in an acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather is tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each year using data as of July 1 of that year. Goodwill is allocated to, and evaluated for impairment at, the Company’s two identified reporting units. Goodwill is tested for impairment by either performing a qualitative evaluation or a quantitative test. The qualitative evaluation is an assessment of factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. The Company may elect not to perform the qualitative assessment for some or all reporting units and perform the quantitative impairment test. The quantitative goodwill impairment test requires the Company to compare the carrying value of the reporting unit’s net assets to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. The Company determines the estimated fair values of each of the reporting units using a combination of the income and market multiple approaches. The estimates used in each approach include significant management assumptions, including valuation multiples of selected guideline public companies, long-term future growth rates, operating margins, and discount rates. If the estimated fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is required, and no impairment loss is recognized. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the estimated fair value, the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value is recorded as an impairment loss, the amount of which is not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Definite-lived intangible assets consist of acquired customer contracts and relationships, non-compete agreements and trademarks. Acquired customer relationships are amortized in an accelerated pattern consistent with expected future cash flows. Non-compete agreements and trademarks are amortized straight-line over their estimated useful lives.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets	Impairment of Long-lived Assets Property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value.
Financing Costs	Financing Costs Financing costs, consisting of fees and other expenses associated with borrowings, are amortized over the terms of the related borrowings using the effective interest rate method (see Note 9 "Long-term Debt"). Financing costs are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the related borrowings.
Self-Insurance Reserves	Self-Insurance Reserves The Company carries general liability, auto liability, workers’ compensation, and employee health care insurance policies. In addition, the Company carries other reasonable and customary insurance policies for a Company of our size and scope, as well as umbrella liability insurance policies to cover claims over the liability limits contained in the primary policies. The Company’s insurance programs for general liability, vehicle liability, workers’ compensation and employee health care for certain employees contain self-insured retention amounts. Claims that are not self-insured as well as claims in excess of the self-insured retention amounts are insured. The Company uses estimates in the determination of the required reserves. These estimates are based upon calculations performed by third-party actuaries, as well as examination of historical trends, demographic factors and industry claims experience. A receivable for an insurance recovery is generally recognized when the loss has occurred and collection is considered probable (see Note 14 "Commitments and Contingencies").
Fair value of Financial Instruments	Fair value of Financial Instruments In evaluating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities, GAAP outlines a valuation framework and creates a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market assumptions based on market data (“observable inputs”) and a reporting entity’s own assumptions about market data (“unobservable inputs”). Fair value is defined as the price at which an orderly transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions (that is, an exit price at the measurement date from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability). Fair Value Hierarchy The following hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value should maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available: Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement dates. Level 2 Significant observable inputs that are used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources. Level 3 Significant unobservable inputs the Company believes market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available. The carrying amounts shown for the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of those instruments. The valuation is based on settlements of similar financial instruments, all of which are short-term in nature and are generally settled at or near cost. See Note 9 "Long-term Debt", Note 10 "Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments" and Note 16 "Mezzanine Equity" for other financial instruments subject to fair value estimates.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities The Company’s objective in entering into derivative transactions is to manage its exposure to interest rate movements associated with its variable rate debt and changes in fuel prices. The Company recognizes derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and measures those instruments at fair value. Since all of the Company’s derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges, the entire change in the fair value of the derivative included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness is initially reported in Other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified to Interest expense, net (interest rate contracts) or Cost of services provided (fuel hedge contracts) in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations at the time the hedge transaction affects earnings. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, or if the hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring, the amount recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) is released to earnings. See Note 10 "Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments" for more information.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The Company’s revenue is generated from Maintenance Services and Development Services. The Company generally recognizes revenue from the sale of services as the services are performed, which is typically ratably over the terms of the contracts, which the Company believes to be the best measure of progress. The Company recognizes revenues as it transfers control of products and services to its customers in an amount reflecting the total consideration it expects to receive from the customer. Revenue is recognized according to the following five step model: (1) identify the contract with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize revenues when a performance obligation is satisfied. The Company determined that for contracts containing multiple performance obligations, stand-alone selling price is readily determinable for each performance obligation and therefore allocation of the transaction price to multiple performance obligations is not necessary. The transaction price will include estimates of variable consideration, such as returns and provisions for doubtful accounts and sales incentives, to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue recognized will not occur. In all cases, when a sale is recorded by the Company, no significant uncertainty exists surrounding the purchaser’s obligation to pay. The Company’s Maintenance Services revenues are generated primarily through landscape maintenance services and snow removal services. Landscape maintenance services that are primarily viewed as non-discretionary, such as lawn care, mowing, gardening, mulching, leaf removal, irrigation and tree care, are provided under recurring annual contracts, which typically range from one to three years in duration and are generally cancellable by the customer with 30-90 days’ notice. Snow removal services are provided on either fixed fee based contracts or per occurrence contracts. Both landscape maintenance services and snow removal services can also include enhancement services that represent supplemental maintenance or improvement services generally provided under contracts of short duration related to specific services. Revenue for landscape maintenance and snow removal services under fixed fee models is recognized over time using an output based method. Additionally, a portion of the Company’s recurring fixed fee landscape maintenance and snow removal services are recorded under the series guidance. The right to invoice practical expedient is generally applied to revenue related to per occurrence contracts as well as enhancement services. When the practical expedient is not applied, revenue is recognized using a cost-to-cost input method. Fees for contracted landscape maintenance services are typically billed on an equal monthly basis. Fees for fixed fee snow removal services are typically billed on an equal monthly basis during snow season, while fees for time and material or other activity-based snow removal services are typically billed as the services are performed. Fees for enhancement services are typically billed as the services are performed. Development Services revenues are generated primarily through landscape architecture and development services. For Development Services, revenue is primarily recognized over time using the cost-to-cost input method, measured by the percentage of cost incurred to date to the estimated total cost for each contract. The full amount of anticipated losses on contracts is recorded as soon as such losses can be estimated. Changes in job performance, job conditions, and estimated profitability, including final contract settlements, may result in revisions to costs and revenue and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. When contract revenue is recognized in excess of the amount the Company has invoiced or has the right to invoice, a contract asset is recognized. Contract assets are transferred to Accounts receivable, net when the rights to the consideration become unconditional. Contract assets are presented as Unbilled revenue on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Contract liabilities consist of consideration that is contractually due from customers, or payments thereof, in advance of providing the product or performing services such that control has not passed to the customer. Contract liabilities are presented as Deferred revenue on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Cost of Services Provided	Cost of Services Provided Cost of services provided represents the cost of labor, subcontractors, materials, vehicle and equipment costs (including depreciation, fuel and maintenance) and other costs directly associated with revenue generating activities. These costs are expensed as incurred.
Leases	Leases The Company leases office space, branch locations, vehicles, and operating equipment. Lease agreements are evaluated to determine whether they are finance or operating leases. If substantially all of the risks and benefits of property ownership are expected to transfer to the Company, the lease qualifies as a finance lease. Finance leases are capitalized at the lower of net present value of the total amount of rent payable under the leasing agreement (utilizing the implicit borrowing rate of the Company, as applicable) or the fair market value of the leased asset. Finance lease assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis, over a period consistent with the Company’s normal depreciation policy for property and equipment, but not exceeding the lease term. Interest charges are expensed over the period of the lease in relation to the carrying value of the finance lease obligation.
Equity-based Compensation	Equity-based Compensation The Company’s equity-based compensation consists of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance stock units. The Company expenses equity-based compensation using the estimated fair value as of the grant date over the requisite service or performance period applicable to the grant. Estimates of future forfeitures are made at the date of grant and revised, if necessary, in later periods if subsequent information indicates actual forfeitures will differ from those estimates. See Note 13 "Equity-Based Compensation" for more information.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured by applying enacted tax rates and laws for the taxable years in which those differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are evaluated for the estimated future tax effects of deductible temporary differences and tax operating loss carryovers. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company records a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. We assess income tax positions for all years subject to examination based upon our evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit would be sustained upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority assumed to have full knowledge of all relevant information, the Company would record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense and benefit.

BrightView Holdings, Inc. 10-K