Home Owner General Contracting Exam
2026 Questions and Answers
At what depth of trench is shoring require / At what depth of an excavation is
shoring required? - Correct Answer-1.2 Meters or 4 feet
Which of the following is not an acceptable method for determining the correct
grading for a trench? - Correct Answer-An experienced excavator says it's ok
Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection? - Correct
Answer-Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
What lighting certifications are required in Canada? - Correct Answer-CSA safety
certification
What grit of sandpaper would get smoothest result? (/etc.) - Correct
Answer-The higher the grit, the finer/smoother the finish. When finishing a
surface, you typically start with a low grit and work up to a high grit
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? - Correct Answer-3.7 meters or
12.14 feet
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or
landing? - Correct Answer-3 feet
If you have a 4m ladder, how far from the wall does the base of the ladder have to
be? - Correct Answer-75 degrees = 1 horizontal to 4 vertical so 1m. 4:1 ratio
What heights are end dams to be on window and door flashings? - Correct Answer-
25 mm / 1 inch (from BCBC)
When to call for inspections and how to make them efficient as possible? - Correct
Answer-Group together when possible and call when work is complete
When is an HRV required? - Correct Answer-Almost always:
"Effective December 19, 2014 residential dwelling units, such as houses,
apartments and secondary suites will be required to have a principal ventilation
system that exhausts air from bathrooms and kitchens and supplies fresh air to
bedrooms and living areas [9.32.3.3.]" "Some small dwelling units in mild climates
are permitted to supply fresh air through passive vents [9.32.3.4.(6)], but for most
dwelling units exhaust and supply will require a mechanical fan
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process - Correct Answer-Single
detached home under a single title.
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,One single dwelling unit in or attached to a pre-existing building older than 10
years (includes the addition of a unit to convert a detached home to a duplex, or
conversion of a duplex to triplex, or conversion of non-residential space to a
dwelling unit).
One single dwelling unit in or attached to a new non-residential building (one only
per building, such as a caretaker suite or home built above a family-run store).
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - Correct Answer-Safety Authority → now
call Technical Safety BC
Which of the following is not allowed under the HPO owner-builder program? -
Correct Answer-New dwelling unit attached to building *newer* than 10 years old
Can an owner builder take out his or her own electrical permit? - Correct Answer-
Yes - work up to 200A is allowed.
Under what condition can an Owner Builder pull an electrical permit? - Correct
Answer-When the Owner Builder will be performing electrical rough-in only.
Up to 200A 170V
What is the best practice to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - Correct
Answer-Spray-on or roll on dry foundation with 2inch (max) below grade
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation - Correct Answer-After
damp-proofing
Best practice for waterproofing on foundation - Correct Answer-Spray or roll 12
inch above grade on dry surface)
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane
foundation? - Correct Answer-Use an approved primer before installing
What is the distance of the gas vent to the roof in relation to the overhang? -
Correct Answer-The distance from the gas vent to the roof must be greater than the
overhang of the roof.
What is the distance of anything (like gas appliance vents) from the gas meter? -
Correct Answer-. Nothing (no gas appliance exhaust vents) within 1m either side
and 4.5 meters above
What is the distance of a fan powered intake from a gas meter? - Correct Answer-
3.5m radius
When do you need to install a handrail, or have worker wear fall protection -
Correct Answer-3m or 10 feet above grade
If a worker has no fall protection, at what height must a handrail be provided? -
Correct Answer-4 feet.
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
2026 Questions and Answers
At what depth of trench is shoring require / At what depth of an excavation is
shoring required? - Correct Answer-1.2 Meters or 4 feet
Which of the following is not an acceptable method for determining the correct
grading for a trench? - Correct Answer-An experienced excavator says it's ok
Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection? - Correct
Answer-Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
What lighting certifications are required in Canada? - Correct Answer-CSA safety
certification
What grit of sandpaper would get smoothest result? (/etc.) - Correct
Answer-The higher the grit, the finer/smoother the finish. When finishing a
surface, you typically start with a low grit and work up to a high grit
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? - Correct Answer-3.7 meters or
12.14 feet
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or
landing? - Correct Answer-3 feet
If you have a 4m ladder, how far from the wall does the base of the ladder have to
be? - Correct Answer-75 degrees = 1 horizontal to 4 vertical so 1m. 4:1 ratio
What heights are end dams to be on window and door flashings? - Correct Answer-
25 mm / 1 inch (from BCBC)
When to call for inspections and how to make them efficient as possible? - Correct
Answer-Group together when possible and call when work is complete
When is an HRV required? - Correct Answer-Almost always:
"Effective December 19, 2014 residential dwelling units, such as houses,
apartments and secondary suites will be required to have a principal ventilation
system that exhausts air from bathrooms and kitchens and supplies fresh air to
bedrooms and living areas [9.32.3.3.]" "Some small dwelling units in mild climates
are permitted to supply fresh air through passive vents [9.32.3.4.(6)], but for most
dwelling units exhaust and supply will require a mechanical fan
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process - Correct Answer-Single
detached home under a single title.
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,One single dwelling unit in or attached to a pre-existing building older than 10
years (includes the addition of a unit to convert a detached home to a duplex, or
conversion of a duplex to triplex, or conversion of non-residential space to a
dwelling unit).
One single dwelling unit in or attached to a new non-residential building (one only
per building, such as a caretaker suite or home built above a family-run store).
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - Correct Answer-Safety Authority → now
call Technical Safety BC
Which of the following is not allowed under the HPO owner-builder program? -
Correct Answer-New dwelling unit attached to building *newer* than 10 years old
Can an owner builder take out his or her own electrical permit? - Correct Answer-
Yes - work up to 200A is allowed.
Under what condition can an Owner Builder pull an electrical permit? - Correct
Answer-When the Owner Builder will be performing electrical rough-in only.
Up to 200A 170V
What is the best practice to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - Correct
Answer-Spray-on or roll on dry foundation with 2inch (max) below grade
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation - Correct Answer-After
damp-proofing
Best practice for waterproofing on foundation - Correct Answer-Spray or roll 12
inch above grade on dry surface)
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane
foundation? - Correct Answer-Use an approved primer before installing
What is the distance of the gas vent to the roof in relation to the overhang? -
Correct Answer-The distance from the gas vent to the roof must be greater than the
overhang of the roof.
What is the distance of anything (like gas appliance vents) from the gas meter? -
Correct Answer-. Nothing (no gas appliance exhaust vents) within 1m either side
and 4.5 meters above
What is the distance of a fan powered intake from a gas meter? - Correct Answer-
3.5m radius
When do you need to install a handrail, or have worker wear fall protection -
Correct Answer-3m or 10 feet above grade
If a worker has no fall protection, at what height must a handrail be provided? -
Correct Answer-4 feet.
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
