Owner Builder 2026 Questions and
Answers
At what depth of trench is shoring require / At what depth of an excavation is
shoring required? - Correct Answer-1.2M (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-The vertical
height any flight stairs shall not exceed 3.7 m (from the BCBC)
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or
landing? - Correct Answer-3 ft.
What heights are end dams to be on window and door flashings? - Correct Answer-
25 mm / 1 inch (from BCBC)
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? 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
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - Correct Answer-Safety Authority → now
call Technical Safety BC
Can an owner builder take out his or her own electrical permit? - Correct Answer-
Yes -work up to 200A is allowed
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,What is the best practice to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - Correct
Answer-2inch (max) below grade
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane
foundation? - Correct Answer-Use an approved primer before installing
What distances can a gas exhaust vents not be installed near a gas regulator? -
Correct Answer-1m left and right and 4.5, above
When do you need to install a handrail, or have worker wear fall protection? -
Correct Answer-10 ft. above grade
What height must a handrail be provided? - Correct Answer-4 feet
How high does a construction fence around a site needs to be - Correct Answer-6
feet
When installing the footer, it was dug down 2 inches deeper then what the
elevation should be. What needs to happen? - Correct Answer-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? - Correct Answer-6 inches
What would cause a Blister on a flat roof? - Correct Answer-Moisture trapped
under roof
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Water is backing up in a skylight what do you do to fix it? - Correct Answer-Clear
drainage
What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? -
Correct Answer-Install eve protection
What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that had been treated with chromated
copper arsenate (pressure treated wood)? - Correct Answer-Lumber manufacturer
approved fastener
When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - Correct Answer-When
there is in floor heating or above frost line
How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? - Correct Answer-1/4 of
the slab
What can be done to eliminate differential shrinkage? - Correct Answer-Control
Joints
What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? - Correct Answer-XPS
Kind of insulation types has the least moisture permeability? - Correct Answer-
XPS extruded poly styrene
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
Answers
At what depth of trench is shoring require / At what depth of an excavation is
shoring required? - Correct Answer-1.2M (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-The vertical
height any flight stairs shall not exceed 3.7 m (from the BCBC)
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or
landing? - Correct Answer-3 ft.
What heights are end dams to be on window and door flashings? - Correct Answer-
25 mm / 1 inch (from BCBC)
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? 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
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - Correct Answer-Safety Authority → now
call Technical Safety BC
Can an owner builder take out his or her own electrical permit? - Correct Answer-
Yes -work up to 200A is allowed
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,What is the best practice to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - Correct
Answer-2inch (max) below grade
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane
foundation? - Correct Answer-Use an approved primer before installing
What distances can a gas exhaust vents not be installed near a gas regulator? -
Correct Answer-1m left and right and 4.5, above
When do you need to install a handrail, or have worker wear fall protection? -
Correct Answer-10 ft. above grade
What height must a handrail be provided? - Correct Answer-4 feet
How high does a construction fence around a site needs to be - Correct Answer-6
feet
When installing the footer, it was dug down 2 inches deeper then what the
elevation should be. What needs to happen? - Correct Answer-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? - Correct Answer-6 inches
What would cause a Blister on a flat roof? - Correct Answer-Moisture trapped
under roof
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Water is backing up in a skylight what do you do to fix it? - Correct Answer-Clear
drainage
What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? -
Correct Answer-Install eve protection
What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that had been treated with chromated
copper arsenate (pressure treated wood)? - Correct Answer-Lumber manufacturer
approved fastener
When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - Correct Answer-When
there is in floor heating or above frost line
How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? - Correct Answer-1/4 of
the slab
What can be done to eliminate differential shrinkage? - Correct Answer-Control
Joints
What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? - Correct Answer-XPS
Kind of insulation types has the least moisture permeability? - Correct Answer-
XPS extruded poly styrene
©COPYRIGHT2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
