BC Owner Builder Exam SCRIPT 2026/2027 WITH
EXPERT-VERIFIED ANSWERS RATED A+
• Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection? -✓✓ Design and
construction that prevents water from ever entering
• What is the required light certification? -✓✓ CSA Authorized
• What grit of sandpaper would get smoothest result -✓✓ 600
• What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? -✓✓ 3.7m
• What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or
landing? -✓✓ 3ft
• What heights are end dams on window /door flashings? -✓✓ 25mm/1inch
• When do you request an inspection? -✓✓ Once work is complete
• How do you increase inspection efficiency? -✓✓ Group Inspections as closely together
as possible
• When is an HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) required? -✓✓ Almost always
• Which of the following is not allowed under the HPO owner-builder program? -✓✓ New
dwelling unit attached to building less than 10 years old
• Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? -✓✓ Technical Safety BC
• Maximum electrical permit for an owner builder? -✓✓ 200 amp
• What is the best practice to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? -✓✓ Spray-
on or roll on dry foundation with 2inch (max) below grade
• What do you need when applying a peel/stick waterproof membrane foundation? -✓✓
Apply an approved primer prior to installation
• The distance from a gas vent to the roof must be? -✓✓ Greater than the overhang of
the roof
• How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? -✓✓ 6ft
• When do you need to install a handrail or wear fall protection? -✓✓ 10 ft. above grade
,• When installing the footer, it was dug down 2 inches deeper then what the elevation
should be. What needs to happen? -✓✓ 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 it? -✓✓ 6in
• What would cause a blister on a flat roof? -✓✓ Moisture trapped under the roof
• Water is backing up in a skylight what do you do to fix it? -✓✓ Clear drainage
• What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? -✓✓
Install eve protection
• What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that had been treated with chromated
copper arsenate (pressure treated)? -✓✓ Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
• When should there be insulation under a basement slab? -✓✓ When there is heating
or above frost line
• How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? -✓✓ 1/4 of the slab
• What kind of insulation should be installed under the slab? -✓✓ XPS extruded poly
styrene
• When framing a header of a staircase, the framer needs to know the nailing pattern.
Where does he get it? -✓✓ Use the BC code section 9 nailing pattern for the header
• What document must the owner submit to WorkSafe BC prior to starting construction?
-✓✓ Notice of project
• What is the nailing/screw pattern for backer board? -✓✓ Manufacturer approved
pattern
• When installing a bi-fold door, the door binds at the side jamb on the top what can be
done? -✓✓ Adjust the top pivot point
• What should be done when joist and beams have contact with bare concrete wall? -
✓✓ Use pressure treated wood and leave 12 mm air space
• What is the minimum depth for a beam support (beam pocket in foundation wall)? -✓✓
Not less than 89mm, 3 inch
, • When is a footing inspection conducted? -✓✓ When the forms and steel reinforcing
are complete, but prior to placing any concrete
• Sash hinged windows are called? -✓✓ Casement
• What is the moisture permeability of 6mil poly? -✓✓ 0.03 US perm (1.7 SI perm) or 1.7
ng
• New fire places come with an air box around the fire box what is it for? -✓✓ More
controlled heat distribution
• When can BC Work Safe authority come to your construction site? -✓✓ Anytime
• What is the best way to build a water tight wall? -✓✓ Rain screen
• Moisture content of framing lumber at the time of installation must not exceed? -✓✓
19%
• What is your liability for a subcontractor on your site? -✓✓ Work Safe BC Insurance
Premiums
• What is diverting flashing and where is it used? -✓✓ The end of an intersection
between a roof and a wall, to direct water away
• When can you sell an owner-built house? -✓✓ After the first year of occupancy or with
special permission from HPO
• Can you transfer your owner-built house to a family member in the first year? -✓✓ No,
unless with HPO permission
• If you are building a 12' x 9' room, and draw a diagonal line between 2 corners to see if
the room is square how long should the line be? -✓✓ 15
• How far above a chimney can the flue liner protrude? -✓✓ Fluer liner can project a
minimum of 50mm
• In relation to code pertaining to garage/home insulation which is not true? -✓✓ If the
garage is heated you do not need air barrier
• When do you call for an electrical inspection? -✓✓ Before any wiring is concealed
• If an electrical contractor fails inspection (or a notice is posted) what must they do? -
✓✓ Fix the problem and call for re-inspection
EXPERT-VERIFIED ANSWERS RATED A+
• Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection? -✓✓ Design and
construction that prevents water from ever entering
• What is the required light certification? -✓✓ CSA Authorized
• What grit of sandpaper would get smoothest result -✓✓ 600
• What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? -✓✓ 3.7m
• What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or
landing? -✓✓ 3ft
• What heights are end dams on window /door flashings? -✓✓ 25mm/1inch
• When do you request an inspection? -✓✓ Once work is complete
• How do you increase inspection efficiency? -✓✓ Group Inspections as closely together
as possible
• When is an HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) required? -✓✓ Almost always
• Which of the following is not allowed under the HPO owner-builder program? -✓✓ New
dwelling unit attached to building less than 10 years old
• Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? -✓✓ Technical Safety BC
• Maximum electrical permit for an owner builder? -✓✓ 200 amp
• What is the best practice to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? -✓✓ Spray-
on or roll on dry foundation with 2inch (max) below grade
• What do you need when applying a peel/stick waterproof membrane foundation? -✓✓
Apply an approved primer prior to installation
• The distance from a gas vent to the roof must be? -✓✓ Greater than the overhang of
the roof
• How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? -✓✓ 6ft
• When do you need to install a handrail or wear fall protection? -✓✓ 10 ft. above grade
,• When installing the footer, it was dug down 2 inches deeper then what the elevation
should be. What needs to happen? -✓✓ 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 it? -✓✓ 6in
• What would cause a blister on a flat roof? -✓✓ Moisture trapped under the roof
• Water is backing up in a skylight what do you do to fix it? -✓✓ Clear drainage
• What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? -✓✓
Install eve protection
• What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that had been treated with chromated
copper arsenate (pressure treated)? -✓✓ Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
• When should there be insulation under a basement slab? -✓✓ When there is heating
or above frost line
• How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? -✓✓ 1/4 of the slab
• What kind of insulation should be installed under the slab? -✓✓ XPS extruded poly
styrene
• When framing a header of a staircase, the framer needs to know the nailing pattern.
Where does he get it? -✓✓ Use the BC code section 9 nailing pattern for the header
• What document must the owner submit to WorkSafe BC prior to starting construction?
-✓✓ Notice of project
• What is the nailing/screw pattern for backer board? -✓✓ Manufacturer approved
pattern
• When installing a bi-fold door, the door binds at the side jamb on the top what can be
done? -✓✓ Adjust the top pivot point
• What should be done when joist and beams have contact with bare concrete wall? -
✓✓ Use pressure treated wood and leave 12 mm air space
• What is the minimum depth for a beam support (beam pocket in foundation wall)? -✓✓
Not less than 89mm, 3 inch
, • When is a footing inspection conducted? -✓✓ When the forms and steel reinforcing
are complete, but prior to placing any concrete
• Sash hinged windows are called? -✓✓ Casement
• What is the moisture permeability of 6mil poly? -✓✓ 0.03 US perm (1.7 SI perm) or 1.7
ng
• New fire places come with an air box around the fire box what is it for? -✓✓ More
controlled heat distribution
• When can BC Work Safe authority come to your construction site? -✓✓ Anytime
• What is the best way to build a water tight wall? -✓✓ Rain screen
• Moisture content of framing lumber at the time of installation must not exceed? -✓✓
19%
• What is your liability for a subcontractor on your site? -✓✓ Work Safe BC Insurance
Premiums
• What is diverting flashing and where is it used? -✓✓ The end of an intersection
between a roof and a wall, to direct water away
• When can you sell an owner-built house? -✓✓ After the first year of occupancy or with
special permission from HPO
• Can you transfer your owner-built house to a family member in the first year? -✓✓ No,
unless with HPO permission
• If you are building a 12' x 9' room, and draw a diagonal line between 2 corners to see if
the room is square how long should the line be? -✓✓ 15
• How far above a chimney can the flue liner protrude? -✓✓ Fluer liner can project a
minimum of 50mm
• In relation to code pertaining to garage/home insulation which is not true? -✓✓ If the
garage is heated you do not need air barrier
• When do you call for an electrical inspection? -✓✓ Before any wiring is concealed
• If an electrical contractor fails inspection (or a notice is posted) what must they do? -
✓✓ Fix the problem and call for re-inspection
