VIRGINIA HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTING (HIC) EXAM
AND PRACTICE EXAM LATEST 2025 WITH CORRECT
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED ANSWERS/ALREADY GRADED A+
The MOST specific information about the size and location of windows would be
found in a - CORRECT ANSWER-Floor plan
What direction does heat flow? - CORRECT ANSWER-Hot to cold
What are batter boards - CORRECT ANSWER-stakes and ledger boards marking
building lines
What is the MAXIMUM distance between a ventilating opening in an under-floor
space and each corner of the building? - CORRECT ANSWER-3 feet
What is NOT required in exterior nonbearing walls? - CORRECT ANSWER-Load-
bearing headers
A lengthwise grain separation between or through the growth rings of lumber is
called a - CORRECT ANSWER-Shake (c 326)
,The abbreviation "d" in "16d" means - CORRECT ANSWER-Penny
Notches may not be located in the ____________ of a joist span - CORRECT
ANSWER-Middle 1/3
How should board and batten be installed? - CORRECT ANSWER-1 inch overlap
10d nails
What is the maximum allowable notch in ceiling joists - CORRECT ANSWER-1/6
the depth of the member
How MUST rafters be framed to each other - CORRECT ANSWER-Gusset plate
(R802.3)
What is used to prevent buckling at points of high stress? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Squash blocks
Prior to the installation of wood floor how long for acclimation? - CORRECT
ANSWER-4-5 days
Where do you start laying parquet flooring - CORRECT ANSWER-Centerline
, What is the first step in carpet installation? - CORRECT ANSWER-Tackless strip
What type of nail is used in floor installation - CORRECT ANSWER-7d or 8d
threaded/Cut steel
What should be applied to crevices in wood flooring? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Filling
What is the best nail for hardwood - CORRECT ANSWER-Ring shank nail
What is the maximum size of a floor frame opening? - CORRECT ANSWER-5 sq ft
(62) (R310.2.1)/ 4 ft header joist (130) (R502.10)
When installing a string of wall cabinets, the cabinets should - CORRECT
ANSWER-Be attached to the adjacent cabinets before to the wall
What is the MINIMUM height for a stairway handrail - CORRECT ANSWER-34
inches
A third stairway stringer should be used when the stair width exceeds - CORRECT
ANSWER-30 inches
AND PRACTICE EXAM LATEST 2025 WITH CORRECT
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED ANSWERS/ALREADY GRADED A+
The MOST specific information about the size and location of windows would be
found in a - CORRECT ANSWER-Floor plan
What direction does heat flow? - CORRECT ANSWER-Hot to cold
What are batter boards - CORRECT ANSWER-stakes and ledger boards marking
building lines
What is the MAXIMUM distance between a ventilating opening in an under-floor
space and each corner of the building? - CORRECT ANSWER-3 feet
What is NOT required in exterior nonbearing walls? - CORRECT ANSWER-Load-
bearing headers
A lengthwise grain separation between or through the growth rings of lumber is
called a - CORRECT ANSWER-Shake (c 326)
,The abbreviation "d" in "16d" means - CORRECT ANSWER-Penny
Notches may not be located in the ____________ of a joist span - CORRECT
ANSWER-Middle 1/3
How should board and batten be installed? - CORRECT ANSWER-1 inch overlap
10d nails
What is the maximum allowable notch in ceiling joists - CORRECT ANSWER-1/6
the depth of the member
How MUST rafters be framed to each other - CORRECT ANSWER-Gusset plate
(R802.3)
What is used to prevent buckling at points of high stress? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Squash blocks
Prior to the installation of wood floor how long for acclimation? - CORRECT
ANSWER-4-5 days
Where do you start laying parquet flooring - CORRECT ANSWER-Centerline
, What is the first step in carpet installation? - CORRECT ANSWER-Tackless strip
What type of nail is used in floor installation - CORRECT ANSWER-7d or 8d
threaded/Cut steel
What should be applied to crevices in wood flooring? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Filling
What is the best nail for hardwood - CORRECT ANSWER-Ring shank nail
What is the maximum size of a floor frame opening? - CORRECT ANSWER-5 sq ft
(62) (R310.2.1)/ 4 ft header joist (130) (R502.10)
When installing a string of wall cabinets, the cabinets should - CORRECT
ANSWER-Be attached to the adjacent cabinets before to the wall
What is the MINIMUM height for a stairway handrail - CORRECT ANSWER-34
inches
A third stairway stringer should be used when the stair width exceeds - CORRECT
ANSWER-30 inches
