OWNER BUILDER TEST QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026
At what depth is shoring required? - Answers 1.2m/4ft
Which is not an acceptable method for determining the correct grading for a trench? - Answers An
experienced excavator says it's ok
Which best describes the principle of rain water deflection? - Answers Design and construction that
prevents water from ever entering
What lighting safety certifications are required in Canada? - Answers CSA safety certification
What grit of sandpaper would get the smoothest result? - Answers Higher grit with get a smoother
finish
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? - Answers The vertical height of any flight of stairs
should not exceed 3.7m
What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or landing? - Answers
3ft
What heights are end dams to be on windows and door flashings? - Answers 25mm/1 inch
When should you call for inspectors to make them efficient as possible? - Answers Group inspectors
together when possible and call when work is complete
When is an HRV required? - Answers Almost always
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - Answers Single detached home under a
single title. Single dwelling attached to pre-existing building older than 10 years. Single dwelling
attached to a new non-residential building.
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - Answers Safety Authority (call Technical Safe BC)
Can an owner builder take out their own electrical permit? - Answers Yes, up to 200A
What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - Answers Spray-on or roll on
dry foundation with 2in. below grade
When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? - Answers After damp-proofing
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane foundation? - Answers
Use an approved primer before installing
What are gas meter installation requirements? - Answers The distance from the gas vent to the roof
must be greater than the overhang of the roof, nothing can be with in 1m either side or 4.5m above a
gas meter
When do you need to install a handrail or have fall protection? - Answers 10ft, 4ft if no fall protection
How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? - Answers 6ft
When installing the footer, it was dug down 2in. deeper than what the elevation should be. What
needs to happen? - Answers Install the footing form at proper elevation and fill with extra concrete
When installing flashing for a roof valley how much do the asphalt shingles need to overlap? -
Answers 6in.
What would cause a blister on a flat roof? - Answers Moisture trapped under roof
Water is backing up in a skylight, what do you do to fix it? - Answers Clear drainage
What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? - Answers Install eve
protection
What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that has been treated with chromated copper arsenate?
- Answers Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - Answers When there is in floor heating
How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? - Answers 1/4 of the slab
What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? - Answers XPS
What kind of insulation has the least moisture permeability? - Answers XPS
When framing a header of a staircase where does the framer get the nailing pattern? - Answers Use
the BC code section 9 nailing pattern
What document must the owner submit to WorkSafe BC prior to starting construction? - Answers
Notice of project
What is the nailing/screw pattern for backer board? - Answers Manufacturer approved pattern
When installing a bi-fold door the door bings at the side jamb on the top. What can be done to fix
this? - Answers Adjust the top pivot point
What should be done when joist and beams have contact with bare concrete walls? - Answers Use
pressure treated wood and leave 12mm air space
What is the minimum depth for a beam support? - Answers Not less than 89mm
At what depth is shoring required? - Answers 1.2m/4ft
Which is not an acceptable method for determining the correct grading for a trench? - Answers An
experienced excavator says it's ok
Which best describes the principle of rain water deflection? - Answers Design and construction that
prevents water from ever entering
What lighting safety certifications are required in Canada? - Answers CSA safety certification
What grit of sandpaper would get the smoothest result? - Answers Higher grit with get a smoother
finish
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? - Answers The vertical height of any flight of stairs
should not exceed 3.7m
What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or landing? - Answers
3ft
What heights are end dams to be on windows and door flashings? - Answers 25mm/1 inch
When should you call for inspectors to make them efficient as possible? - Answers Group inspectors
together when possible and call when work is complete
When is an HRV required? - Answers Almost always
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - Answers Single detached home under a
single title. Single dwelling attached to pre-existing building older than 10 years. Single dwelling
attached to a new non-residential building.
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - Answers Safety Authority (call Technical Safe BC)
Can an owner builder take out their own electrical permit? - Answers Yes, up to 200A
What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - Answers Spray-on or roll on
dry foundation with 2in. below grade
When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? - Answers After damp-proofing
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane foundation? - Answers
Use an approved primer before installing
What are gas meter installation requirements? - Answers The distance from the gas vent to the roof
must be greater than the overhang of the roof, nothing can be with in 1m either side or 4.5m above a
gas meter
When do you need to install a handrail or have fall protection? - Answers 10ft, 4ft if no fall protection
How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? - Answers 6ft
When installing the footer, it was dug down 2in. deeper than what the elevation should be. What
needs to happen? - Answers Install the footing form at proper elevation and fill with extra concrete
When installing flashing for a roof valley how much do the asphalt shingles need to overlap? -
Answers 6in.
What would cause a blister on a flat roof? - Answers Moisture trapped under roof
Water is backing up in a skylight, what do you do to fix it? - Answers Clear drainage
What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? - Answers Install eve
protection
What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that has been treated with chromated copper arsenate?
- Answers Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - Answers When there is in floor heating
How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? - Answers 1/4 of the slab
What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? - Answers XPS
What kind of insulation has the least moisture permeability? - Answers XPS
When framing a header of a staircase where does the framer get the nailing pattern? - Answers Use
the BC code section 9 nailing pattern
What document must the owner submit to WorkSafe BC prior to starting construction? - Answers
Notice of project
What is the nailing/screw pattern for backer board? - Answers Manufacturer approved pattern
When installing a bi-fold door the door bings at the side jamb on the top. What can be done to fix
this? - Answers Adjust the top pivot point
What should be done when joist and beams have contact with bare concrete walls? - Answers Use
pressure treated wood and leave 12mm air space
What is the minimum depth for a beam support? - Answers Not less than 89mm
