BC OWNER BUILDER ACTUAL EXAM PAPER
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ What kind of window has life attachment/hinge.
Answer: Casement
◍ Why must permit holders know where the main shut offs for water and gas
are?a. To stay away from them while workingb. For verification of the
safety systemsc. So you can turn off in an emergencyd. Other.
Answer: c
◍ What statement is false about pellet stoves.
Answer: Can operate without electrical or battery power
◍ Where is safety glass required by code.
Answer: sliding glass doors
◍ When should you call for electrical inspections?.
Answer: Before wiring is concealed or connected to a supply.
◍ What is the result if end closers are not installed on a concrete tile roof?a.
Snow and moisture would enter the structureb. It would detract from
aestheticsc. It would reduce the fire-retardant classificationd. Ventilation
needs would be surpassed.
Answer: a
◍ Chimney saddles shall be installed ______a. where the upper side of a
chimney on a sloping roof is more than 750 mm wide.b. where the upper
side of a chimney on a sloping roof is more than 10 mm wide.c. where the
upper side of a chimney on a sloping roof is more than 115 mm wide.d.
where the upper side of a chimney on a sloping roof is more than 1 inch
, wide..
Answer: a
◍ Which of the following is not a characteristic of house wrap?a. Allows
vapour to escapeb. Is the primary water repelling systemc. Is vapour proofd.
Keeps water out.
Answer: c
◍ When roof trusses turn up, how do you know what order they go?a. They
are individually labeled and include a chartb. They only fit one way so it is
obviousc. All parts are the same and so no need to distinguishd. The
manufacturer will send a technician.
Answer: a
◍ In an energy efficient house what risk is there with installing a 600-cfm
hood fan?a. Requirement to add make up airb. Condensation may be
producedc. Venting requirements may cause heat lossd. The hood may be
oversized for purpose.
Answer: c
◍ What is the purpose of the Owner Builder Disclosure Notice?a. If sold
within 5 years of occupancy, lets buyer know that it is built by an "Owner
Builder"b. If sold within 10 years of occupancy, lets buyer have an option
for additional warrantyc. If sold within 10 years of occupancy, the
prospective buyer must be informed that this is a "owner builder" and there
is no warrantyd. No notice is required after initial occupancy.
Answer: c
◍ ___________ retains moisture in the concrete and improvestemperature
control.a. a humidifier b. sealerc. a plastic polyethylene coveringd. in floor
heating.
Answer: c
◍ What penalty can be imposed if you make false claims with owner builder
permit?a. Monetary penaltiesb. Order a stoppage of workc. Retake the
Owner Builder Examd. Cancel owner builder authorization permit.
, Answer: d
◍ Sanitary sewer needs a minimum bedding depth ofa. 2 inches of sandb. 6
inches of sandc. 10 inches of sandd. 25 inches of sand.
Answer: b
◍ Who issues permits for a gas fireplace?.
Answer: Safety Authority (call Technical Safe BC)
◍ After a sanitary/water permit is issued to the owner builder, who is
responsible forbringing the connections to the lot line and performing the
hookups?a. The city inspectorb. The owner builderc. The plumbing
contractord. The municipality.
Answer: c
◍ When is the best to back fill?.
Answer: Back-fill after inspections and after floor is installed to stabilize
foundation
◍ Basically, mixing and matching physical qualities of barrier materials.
Something like this. Which state is note true?.
Answer: b. Barrier materials only provide one function each, air, moisture or
vapour
◍ What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation?.
Answer: Spray-on or roll on dry foundation with 2in. below grade
◍ When is tit best to back fill?a. After inspections but before floor is
installedb. After inspections and after floor is installedc. Prior to inspection
and floor being installedd. Backfill is no longer used to stabilize
foundations.
Answer: b
◍ The best kind of paint to be used on a kitchen is?a. Oil based paintb. Acrylic
paintsc. Water based paintsd. Other.
Answer: c
◍ Whatshould be done when joist and beams have contact with bare concrete
, wall?a. Use galvanized joist hanger and beam pocketb. Use pressure treated
wood and leave 12 mm air spacec. Nail joist to concert walld. Other.
Answer: b
◍ ________are the boards that form the vertical face of each step, creating
the"toe kick" area between the stair treads.a. Balustersb. Nosingsc. Treadsd.
Risers.
Answer: d
◍ What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above the surface
you areclimbing onto?a. 1 ftb. 2 ftc. 3 ftd. 4 ft.
Answer: c
◍ R value is the capacity of a material to resist what kind of flow?a. Airb.
Heatc. Waterd. Gas.
Answer: b
◍ The staircase landing refers to the space at the top or at the bottom of the
stairs. It can also be the space between flights of stairs. T or F.
Answer: T
◍ The most heat loss is through?a. Roofb. Floorc. Windowsd. Well.
Answer: c
◍ What are the minimum strengths (in Mpa) for concrete.
Answer: Footings, walls, foundations 15 MpaInterior Flatwork 20 Mpa
Garages, carports, exterior32 Mpa
◍ How far above the chimney can the flue liner protrude?.
Answer: A minimum of 50mm
◍ Nail pattern for vertical and horizontal application of panel-type sheathing?.
Answer: 6" on edge; 12" elsewhere
◍ When can you sell an owner built home?.
Answer: After the first year of occupancy, or with special permission from
the HPO
◍ End dam use.
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ What kind of window has life attachment/hinge.
Answer: Casement
◍ Why must permit holders know where the main shut offs for water and gas
are?a. To stay away from them while workingb. For verification of the
safety systemsc. So you can turn off in an emergencyd. Other.
Answer: c
◍ What statement is false about pellet stoves.
Answer: Can operate without electrical or battery power
◍ Where is safety glass required by code.
Answer: sliding glass doors
◍ When should you call for electrical inspections?.
Answer: Before wiring is concealed or connected to a supply.
◍ What is the result if end closers are not installed on a concrete tile roof?a.
Snow and moisture would enter the structureb. It would detract from
aestheticsc. It would reduce the fire-retardant classificationd. Ventilation
needs would be surpassed.
Answer: a
◍ Chimney saddles shall be installed ______a. where the upper side of a
chimney on a sloping roof is more than 750 mm wide.b. where the upper
side of a chimney on a sloping roof is more than 10 mm wide.c. where the
upper side of a chimney on a sloping roof is more than 115 mm wide.d.
where the upper side of a chimney on a sloping roof is more than 1 inch
, wide..
Answer: a
◍ Which of the following is not a characteristic of house wrap?a. Allows
vapour to escapeb. Is the primary water repelling systemc. Is vapour proofd.
Keeps water out.
Answer: c
◍ When roof trusses turn up, how do you know what order they go?a. They
are individually labeled and include a chartb. They only fit one way so it is
obviousc. All parts are the same and so no need to distinguishd. The
manufacturer will send a technician.
Answer: a
◍ In an energy efficient house what risk is there with installing a 600-cfm
hood fan?a. Requirement to add make up airb. Condensation may be
producedc. Venting requirements may cause heat lossd. The hood may be
oversized for purpose.
Answer: c
◍ What is the purpose of the Owner Builder Disclosure Notice?a. If sold
within 5 years of occupancy, lets buyer know that it is built by an "Owner
Builder"b. If sold within 10 years of occupancy, lets buyer have an option
for additional warrantyc. If sold within 10 years of occupancy, the
prospective buyer must be informed that this is a "owner builder" and there
is no warrantyd. No notice is required after initial occupancy.
Answer: c
◍ ___________ retains moisture in the concrete and improvestemperature
control.a. a humidifier b. sealerc. a plastic polyethylene coveringd. in floor
heating.
Answer: c
◍ What penalty can be imposed if you make false claims with owner builder
permit?a. Monetary penaltiesb. Order a stoppage of workc. Retake the
Owner Builder Examd. Cancel owner builder authorization permit.
, Answer: d
◍ Sanitary sewer needs a minimum bedding depth ofa. 2 inches of sandb. 6
inches of sandc. 10 inches of sandd. 25 inches of sand.
Answer: b
◍ Who issues permits for a gas fireplace?.
Answer: Safety Authority (call Technical Safe BC)
◍ After a sanitary/water permit is issued to the owner builder, who is
responsible forbringing the connections to the lot line and performing the
hookups?a. The city inspectorb. The owner builderc. The plumbing
contractord. The municipality.
Answer: c
◍ When is the best to back fill?.
Answer: Back-fill after inspections and after floor is installed to stabilize
foundation
◍ Basically, mixing and matching physical qualities of barrier materials.
Something like this. Which state is note true?.
Answer: b. Barrier materials only provide one function each, air, moisture or
vapour
◍ What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation?.
Answer: Spray-on or roll on dry foundation with 2in. below grade
◍ When is tit best to back fill?a. After inspections but before floor is
installedb. After inspections and after floor is installedc. Prior to inspection
and floor being installedd. Backfill is no longer used to stabilize
foundations.
Answer: b
◍ The best kind of paint to be used on a kitchen is?a. Oil based paintb. Acrylic
paintsc. Water based paintsd. Other.
Answer: c
◍ Whatshould be done when joist and beams have contact with bare concrete
, wall?a. Use galvanized joist hanger and beam pocketb. Use pressure treated
wood and leave 12 mm air spacec. Nail joist to concert walld. Other.
Answer: b
◍ ________are the boards that form the vertical face of each step, creating
the"toe kick" area between the stair treads.a. Balustersb. Nosingsc. Treadsd.
Risers.
Answer: d
◍ What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above the surface
you areclimbing onto?a. 1 ftb. 2 ftc. 3 ftd. 4 ft.
Answer: c
◍ R value is the capacity of a material to resist what kind of flow?a. Airb.
Heatc. Waterd. Gas.
Answer: b
◍ The staircase landing refers to the space at the top or at the bottom of the
stairs. It can also be the space between flights of stairs. T or F.
Answer: T
◍ The most heat loss is through?a. Roofb. Floorc. Windowsd. Well.
Answer: c
◍ What are the minimum strengths (in Mpa) for concrete.
Answer: Footings, walls, foundations 15 MpaInterior Flatwork 20 Mpa
Garages, carports, exterior32 Mpa
◍ How far above the chimney can the flue liner protrude?.
Answer: A minimum of 50mm
◍ Nail pattern for vertical and horizontal application of panel-type sheathing?.
Answer: 6" on edge; 12" elsewhere
◍ When can you sell an owner built home?.
Answer: After the first year of occupancy, or with special permission from
the HPO
◍ End dam use.
