BC Owner Builder Exam 2026/2027 UPDATED
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
• Which is not an acceptable method for determining the correct grading for a trench? -
✓✓ An experienced excavator says it's ok
• At what depth is shoring required? -✓✓ 1.2m/4ft
• Which best describes the principle of rain waterterm-0 deflection? -✓✓ Design and
construction that prevents water from ever entering
• What lighting safety certifications are required in Canada? -✓✓ CSA safety certification
• What grit of sandpaper would get the smoothest result? -✓✓ Higher grit with get a
smoother finish
• What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? -✓✓ The vertical height of any flight of
stairs should not exceed 3.7m
• What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or
landing? -✓✓ 3ft
• What heights are end dams to be on windows and door flashings? -✓✓ 25mm/1 inch
• End dam use -✓✓ Stop water from coming in
• When should you call for inspectors to make them efficient as possible? -✓✓ Group
inspectors together when possible and call when work is complete
• When is an HRV required? -✓✓ Almost always
• What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? -✓✓ Single detached
home under a single title. Single dwelling attached to pre-existing building older than 10
years. Single dwelling attached to a new non-residential building.
• Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? -✓✓ Safety Authority (call Technical Safe BC)
• Can an owner builder take out their own electrical permit? -✓✓ Yes, up to 200A
• What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? -✓✓ Spray-on or
roll on dry foundation with 2in. below grade
• When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? -✓✓ After damp-proofing
, • What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane
foundation? -✓✓ Use an approved primer before installing
• What are gas meter installation requirements? -✓✓ The distance from the gas vent to
the roof must be greater than the overhang of the roof, nothing can be with in 1m either
side or 4.5m above a gas meter
• When do you need to install a handrail or have fall protection? -✓✓ 10ft, 4ft if no fall
protection
• How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? -✓✓ 6ft
• When installing the footer, it was dug down 2in. deeper than 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? -✓✓ 6in.
• What would cause a blister on a flat roof? -✓✓ Moisture trapped under 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 has been treated with chromated
copper arsenate? -✓✓ Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
• When should there be insulation under a basement slab? -✓✓ When there is in floor
heating
• How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? -✓✓ 1/4 of the slab
• What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? -✓✓ XPS
• What kind of insulation has the least moisture permeability? -✓✓ XPS
• When framing a header of a staircase where does the framer get the nailing pattern? -
✓✓ Use the BC code section 9 nailing pattern
• What document must the owner submit to WorkSafe BC prior to starting construction?
-✓✓ Notice of project
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
• Which is not an acceptable method for determining the correct grading for a trench? -
✓✓ An experienced excavator says it's ok
• At what depth is shoring required? -✓✓ 1.2m/4ft
• Which best describes the principle of rain waterterm-0 deflection? -✓✓ Design and
construction that prevents water from ever entering
• What lighting safety certifications are required in Canada? -✓✓ CSA safety certification
• What grit of sandpaper would get the smoothest result? -✓✓ Higher grit with get a
smoother finish
• What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? -✓✓ The vertical height of any flight of
stairs should not exceed 3.7m
• What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or
landing? -✓✓ 3ft
• What heights are end dams to be on windows and door flashings? -✓✓ 25mm/1 inch
• End dam use -✓✓ Stop water from coming in
• When should you call for inspectors to make them efficient as possible? -✓✓ Group
inspectors together when possible and call when work is complete
• When is an HRV required? -✓✓ Almost always
• What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? -✓✓ Single detached
home under a single title. Single dwelling attached to pre-existing building older than 10
years. Single dwelling attached to a new non-residential building.
• Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? -✓✓ Safety Authority (call Technical Safe BC)
• Can an owner builder take out their own electrical permit? -✓✓ Yes, up to 200A
• What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? -✓✓ Spray-on or
roll on dry foundation with 2in. below grade
• When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? -✓✓ After damp-proofing
, • What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane
foundation? -✓✓ Use an approved primer before installing
• What are gas meter installation requirements? -✓✓ The distance from the gas vent to
the roof must be greater than the overhang of the roof, nothing can be with in 1m either
side or 4.5m above a gas meter
• When do you need to install a handrail or have fall protection? -✓✓ 10ft, 4ft if no fall
protection
• How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? -✓✓ 6ft
• When installing the footer, it was dug down 2in. deeper than 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? -✓✓ 6in.
• What would cause a blister on a flat roof? -✓✓ Moisture trapped under 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 has been treated with chromated
copper arsenate? -✓✓ Lumber manufacturer approved fastener
• When should there be insulation under a basement slab? -✓✓ When there is in floor
heating
• How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? -✓✓ 1/4 of the slab
• What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? -✓✓ XPS
• What kind of insulation has the least moisture permeability? -✓✓ XPS
• When framing a header of a staircase where does the framer get the nailing pattern? -
✓✓ Use the BC code section 9 nailing pattern
• What document must the owner submit to WorkSafe BC prior to starting construction?
-✓✓ Notice of project
