Residential Contractor Practice Exam guide
2024
How long will it take to excavate a trench that is 8 foot deep by 4 feet wide by 100 feet long?
The hourly production rate is 40 BCY and the operator has average ability with an efficiency
factor of 75%. - ANSWER>>4 hour
What is the MINIMUM grade fall away from foundation walls? - ANSWER>>6 inches within the
first 10 feet.
What is the MINIMUM overlap for joints in the polyethylene film moisture barrier applied over
the exterior of a below grade foundation wall? - ANSWER>>6 inches.
Which is the first step that needs to be taken prior to starting any excavation work? -
ANSWER>>contacting the local utility companies
A foundation drain shall extend past the outside edge of the footing at least how far? -
ANSWER>>12 inches
What is the purpose of a cove or cant strip at a foundation joint? - ANSWER>>Deflect water
from the foundation wall.
A concrete masonry foundation wall extends below grade and will require parge coating using
Portland cement mortar. What is the minimum allowable thickness? - ANSWER>>3/8 inch
Before excavating for a new building, how should subsoil conditions be determined? -
ANSWER>>conducting test borings
What type fastener is NOT allowed when working above grade or below grade on wood
foundations? - ANSWER>>Electrogalvanized steel.
What is the minimum requirement for the compressive strength of concrete used in a garage
floor in a severe exposure area? - ANSWER>>3,500 psi
What is the MINIMUM thickness allowed for concrete slab on ground floors? - ANSWER>>3.5
inches
, What is the MINIMUM vertical reinforcement spacing for a reinforced concrete foundation wall
that is 7 feet high and 10 inches thick on type SP soil? - ANSWER>>56 inches on center.
Air-entrained concrete MUST be used for all of the following EXCEPT - ANSWER>>interior slabs
on grade.
Increasing the slump of concrete does which of the following? - ANSWER>>increases its
wetness
What is the diameter of number 5 rebar? - ANSWER>>5/8 inch.
Unless otherwise specified, what is the standard guideline for spacing contraction joints to
space them in feet? - ANSWER>>2 1/2 times the slab depth in inches
What is the MINIMUM compressive strength for concrete used in a foundation wall that will be
exposed to weather? - ANSWER>>2,500 psi.
In general, what is the MINIMUM concrete covering for steel reinforcement in a footing? -
ANSWER>>3.0 inches.
A simple set of cleat stairs will be installed in a basement. The distance between the basement
floor and the first floor is 8 feet. How many treads will be REQUIRED for these stairs? -
ANSWER>>13
Which of the following is required for a 3 feet 8 inches wide by 4 feet long floor opening near
the center of a wood-framed span? - ANSWER>>single header and double trimmer
What is the MAXIMUM spacing for double floor joists that are separated to allow installation of
piping? - ANSWER>>4 feet on center.
A plank measures 3" x 16" and is 24 feet long. How many board feet of lumber are in 26 of
these planks? (Round off to the nearest whole number.) - ANSWER>>2,496
Which of the following describes the tendency of lumber to shrink when it dries? -
ANSWER>>more in width than length
All of the following are benefits of platform construction as compared to balloon construction
EXCEPT - ANSWER>>easier installation of plumbing and wiring.
2024
How long will it take to excavate a trench that is 8 foot deep by 4 feet wide by 100 feet long?
The hourly production rate is 40 BCY and the operator has average ability with an efficiency
factor of 75%. - ANSWER>>4 hour
What is the MINIMUM grade fall away from foundation walls? - ANSWER>>6 inches within the
first 10 feet.
What is the MINIMUM overlap for joints in the polyethylene film moisture barrier applied over
the exterior of a below grade foundation wall? - ANSWER>>6 inches.
Which is the first step that needs to be taken prior to starting any excavation work? -
ANSWER>>contacting the local utility companies
A foundation drain shall extend past the outside edge of the footing at least how far? -
ANSWER>>12 inches
What is the purpose of a cove or cant strip at a foundation joint? - ANSWER>>Deflect water
from the foundation wall.
A concrete masonry foundation wall extends below grade and will require parge coating using
Portland cement mortar. What is the minimum allowable thickness? - ANSWER>>3/8 inch
Before excavating for a new building, how should subsoil conditions be determined? -
ANSWER>>conducting test borings
What type fastener is NOT allowed when working above grade or below grade on wood
foundations? - ANSWER>>Electrogalvanized steel.
What is the minimum requirement for the compressive strength of concrete used in a garage
floor in a severe exposure area? - ANSWER>>3,500 psi
What is the MINIMUM thickness allowed for concrete slab on ground floors? - ANSWER>>3.5
inches
, What is the MINIMUM vertical reinforcement spacing for a reinforced concrete foundation wall
that is 7 feet high and 10 inches thick on type SP soil? - ANSWER>>56 inches on center.
Air-entrained concrete MUST be used for all of the following EXCEPT - ANSWER>>interior slabs
on grade.
Increasing the slump of concrete does which of the following? - ANSWER>>increases its
wetness
What is the diameter of number 5 rebar? - ANSWER>>5/8 inch.
Unless otherwise specified, what is the standard guideline for spacing contraction joints to
space them in feet? - ANSWER>>2 1/2 times the slab depth in inches
What is the MINIMUM compressive strength for concrete used in a foundation wall that will be
exposed to weather? - ANSWER>>2,500 psi.
In general, what is the MINIMUM concrete covering for steel reinforcement in a footing? -
ANSWER>>3.0 inches.
A simple set of cleat stairs will be installed in a basement. The distance between the basement
floor and the first floor is 8 feet. How many treads will be REQUIRED for these stairs? -
ANSWER>>13
Which of the following is required for a 3 feet 8 inches wide by 4 feet long floor opening near
the center of a wood-framed span? - ANSWER>>single header and double trimmer
What is the MAXIMUM spacing for double floor joists that are separated to allow installation of
piping? - ANSWER>>4 feet on center.
A plank measures 3" x 16" and is 24 feet long. How many board feet of lumber are in 26 of
these planks? (Round off to the nearest whole number.) - ANSWER>>2,496
Which of the following describes the tendency of lumber to shrink when it dries? -
ANSWER>>more in width than length
All of the following are benefits of platform construction as compared to balloon construction
EXCEPT - ANSWER>>easier installation of plumbing and wiring.
