BC OWNER BUILDER EXAMINATION TEST
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
⩥ Which of the following is not an acceptable method for determining
the correct grading for a trench? Answer: An experienced excavator says
it's ok
⩥ Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection?
Answer: Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
⩥ What lighting certifications are required in Canada? Answer: CSA
safety certification
⩥ What grit of sandpaper would get smoothest result? (/etc.)
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? Answer: The vertical
height any flight stairs shall not exceed 3.7 m (from the BCBC)
⩥ What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a
parapet wall or landing? Answer: 3 ft.
,⩥ What heights are end dams to be on window and door flashings?
Answer: 25 mm / 1 inch (from BCBC)
⩥ When is an HRV required? 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?
Answer: New dwelling unit attached to building *newer* than 10 years
old
⩥ Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? Answer: Safety Authority →
now call Technical Safety BC
⩥ Can an owner builder take out his or her own electrical permit?
Answer: Yes -work up to 200A is allowed
⩥ What is the best practice to apply asphalt waterproofing on a
foundation? Answer: 2inch (max) below grade
,⩥ What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof
membrane foundation? Answer: Use an approved primer before
installing
⩥ What distances can a gas exhaust vents not be installed near a gas
regulator? Answer: 1m left and right and 4.5, above
⩥ When do you need to install a handrail, or have worker wear fall
protection? Answer: 10 ft. above grade
⩥ What height must a handrail be provided? Answer: 4 feet
⩥ How high does a construction fence around a site needs to be Answer:
6 feet
⩥ When installing the footer, it was dug down 2 inches deeper then what
the elevation should be. What needs to happen? 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? Answer: 6 inches
, ⩥ What would cause a Blister on a flat roof? Answer: Moisture trapped
under roof
⩥ Water is backing up in a skylight what do you do to fix it? Answer:
Clear drainage
⩥ What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on
a roof? 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)? Answer:
Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
⩥ When should there be insulation under a basement slab? Answer:
When there is in floor heating or above frost line
⩥ How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? Answer: 1/4
of the slab
⩥ What can be done to eliminate differential shrinkage? Answer:
Control Joints
⩥ What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? Answer: XPS
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
⩥ Which of the following is not an acceptable method for determining
the correct grading for a trench? Answer: An experienced excavator says
it's ok
⩥ Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection?
Answer: Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
⩥ What lighting certifications are required in Canada? Answer: CSA
safety certification
⩥ What grit of sandpaper would get smoothest result? (/etc.)
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? Answer: The vertical
height any flight stairs shall not exceed 3.7 m (from the BCBC)
⩥ What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a
parapet wall or landing? Answer: 3 ft.
,⩥ What heights are end dams to be on window and door flashings?
Answer: 25 mm / 1 inch (from BCBC)
⩥ When is an HRV required? 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?
Answer: New dwelling unit attached to building *newer* than 10 years
old
⩥ Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? Answer: Safety Authority →
now call Technical Safety BC
⩥ Can an owner builder take out his or her own electrical permit?
Answer: Yes -work up to 200A is allowed
⩥ What is the best practice to apply asphalt waterproofing on a
foundation? Answer: 2inch (max) below grade
,⩥ What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof
membrane foundation? Answer: Use an approved primer before
installing
⩥ What distances can a gas exhaust vents not be installed near a gas
regulator? Answer: 1m left and right and 4.5, above
⩥ When do you need to install a handrail, or have worker wear fall
protection? Answer: 10 ft. above grade
⩥ What height must a handrail be provided? Answer: 4 feet
⩥ How high does a construction fence around a site needs to be Answer:
6 feet
⩥ When installing the footer, it was dug down 2 inches deeper then what
the elevation should be. What needs to happen? 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? Answer: 6 inches
, ⩥ What would cause a Blister on a flat roof? Answer: Moisture trapped
under roof
⩥ Water is backing up in a skylight what do you do to fix it? Answer:
Clear drainage
⩥ What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on
a roof? 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)? Answer:
Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
⩥ When should there be insulation under a basement slab? Answer:
When there is in floor heating or above frost line
⩥ How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? Answer: 1/4
of the slab
⩥ What can be done to eliminate differential shrinkage? Answer:
Control Joints
⩥ What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? Answer: XPS
