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100+ Free C-21 Building Moving & Demolition Practice Questions

Prepare for the California CSLB C-21 Building Moving and Demolition Examination exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Key Facts: C-21 Building Moving & Demolition Exam

3.5 Hours

Time Limit

CSLB Study Guide

$450

Application Fee

CSLB

4 Years

Required Experience

CSLB Requirements

25%

Planning & Estimating Weight

CSLB Study Guide

21%

Safety Weight

CSLB Study Guide

The C-21 Building Moving and Demolition exam is a 3.5-hour computer-delivered test administered by PSI. It requires 4 years of journey-level experience and a $450 application fee, testing candidates on safe demolition practices, estimating, and project preparation according to California codes.

Sample C-21 Building Moving & Demolition Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your C-21 Building Moving & Demolition exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A demolition contractor needs to estimate the weight of a 30-foot by 40-foot by 6-inch solid reinforced concrete slab (150 lbs/cu ft). What is the total structural weight of the slab in short tons?
A.45.0 short tons
B.60.0 short tons
C.75.0 short tons
D.90.0 short tons
Explanation: To calculate total weight: Volume = 30 ft × 40 ft × 0.5 ft = 600 cubic feet. Total weight in pounds = 600 cu ft × 150 lbs/cu ft = 90,000 lbs. Converting pounds to short tons: 90,000 lbs ÷ 2,000 lbs/ton = 45.0 short tons.
2A C-21 contractor estimates the removal of 200 cubic yards of solid brick masonry. If the bulking (swell) factor for broken masonry debris is 45%, what is the total loose volume to be hauled?
A.245 cubic yards
B.290 cubic yards
C.335 cubic yards
D.380 cubic yards
Explanation: Bulking or swell factor accounts for the increase in volume when solid material is broken into loose rubble. Loose volume = In-place solid volume × (1 + swell factor percentage). Here: 200 cu yd × 1.45 = 290 loose cubic yards.
3A site clearance project yields 600 loose cubic yards of mixed demolition debris. If standard 10-wheeler dump trucks carry 12 loose cubic yards per trip, how many total truck loads are required?
A.35 total truck loads
B.42 total truck loads
C.50 total truck loads
D.65 total truck loads
Explanation: Total truck loads = Total loose debris volume ÷ Truck hauling capacity per trip. Calculating: 600 loose cubic yards ÷ 12 loose cubic yards per load = 50 total truck loads required to clear the site.
4A single-story 2,400-square-foot wood-framed residence with stucco exterior has an estimated dead load of 45 pounds per square foot. What is the total structural weight of the building?
A.72,000 pounds (36 tons) only
B.84,000 pounds (42 tons)
C.96,000 pounds (48 tons)
D.108,000 pounds (54 tons)
Explanation: Building dead load weight = Total floor area × Unit dead load weight per square foot. Calculating: 2,400 sq ft × 45 lbs/sq ft = 108,000 lbs. Dividing by 2,000 lbs/ton equals 54 short tons total weight.
5A commercial demolition project contains 120 tons of structural steel beams. If scrap metal buyers offer $220 per ton and processing labor costs $45 per ton, what is the net salvage credit?
A.$21,000 net salvage credit
B.$24,500 net salvage credit
C.$26,400 net salvage credit
D.$31,800 net salvage credit
Explanation: Net salvage value per ton = Gross buyer price per ton - Processing cost per ton = $220 - $45 = $175 per ton. Net total salvage credit = 120 tons × $175 per ton = $21,000 credit against project costs.
6A interior selective demolition job requires removing 1,800 square feet of lath and plaster walls. If a 2-worker crew averages 75 square feet per crew-hour, how many crew-hours are required?
A.18 total crew-hours
B.24 total crew-hours
C.30 total crew-hours
D.36 total crew-hours
Explanation: Total crew-hours = Total area ÷ Production rate per crew-hour. Calculating: 1,800 sq ft ÷ 75 sq ft per crew-hour = 24 crew-hours. (Note: Total man-hours would be 24 × 2 workers = 48 man-hours).
7A demolition project produces 180 short tons of mixed construction waste. The landfill tipping fee is $62 per ton plus an 8% state environmental surcharge. What is the total landfill fee?
A.$10,264.40 total disposal fee
B.$11,160.00 total disposal fee
C.$12,052.80 total disposal fee
D.$13,148.20 total disposal fee
Explanation: Base disposal fee = 180 tons × $62/ton = $11,160.00. Environmental surcharge = $11,160.00 × 0.08 = $892.80. Total disposal fee = $11,160.00 + $892.80 = $12,052.80.
8A steel frame structure scheduled for dismantling has 20 columns, each designated as W8x31 and measuring 15 feet in length. What is the total weight of these steel columns?
A.6,200 total pounds of steel
B.7,450 total pounds of steel
C.8,100 total pounds of steel
D.9,300 total pounds of steel
Explanation: In AISC structural shape nomenclature, W8x31 weighs 31 pounds per linear foot. Weight per column = 15 ft × 31 lbs/ft = 465 lbs. Total weight for 20 columns = 20 × 465 lbs = 9,300 total pounds.
9When evaluating a structure for a proposed building move, what primary structural factor determines the spacing and size of main carrying steel needles?
A.Location of load-bearing walls and piers
B.Thickness of interior drywall partitions
C.Overall height of exterior roof chimneys
D.Total square footage of exterior windows
Explanation: The layout, size, and spacing of main carrying beams and needle beams depend primarily on the location of structural load-bearing walls, columns, foundation piers, and point load distributions to prevent structural racking.
10A high-reach demolition excavator costs $280/hour fully operated and consumes 12 gallons of diesel per hour at $4.50/gallon. For a 40-hour demolition project, what is the combined equipment cost?
A.$11,200 total machine and fuel cost
B.$13,360 total machine and fuel cost
C.$15,520 total machine and fuel cost
D.$17,680 total machine and fuel cost
Explanation: Fuel cost per hour = 12 gal/hr × $4.50/gal = $54.00/hr. Total hourly machine and fuel rate = $280.00 + $54.00 = $334.00/hr. Total cost for 40 machine-hours = 40 × $334.00 = $13,360.00.

About the C-21 Building Moving & Demolition Exam

The C-21 examination evaluates a contractor's knowledge of planning, estimating, project preparation, building moving, structure demolition, and safety protocols required in California.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

3.5 hours

Passing Score

Disclosed at test site

Exam Fee

$450 application fee (California Contractors State License Board (CSLB))

C-21 Building Moving & Demolition Exam Content Outline

25%

Planning and Estimating

Evaluating project scope, assessing site conditions, identifying hazardous materials, and estimating costs for labor, equipment, and permits.

20%

Project Preparation

Obtaining permits, utility disconnects, notifications to agencies, and setting up site control and temporary shoring.

13%

Building Moving

Preparation for structure moving, jacking operations, route planning, securing the structure, and placement on the new foundation.

21%

Structure Demolition

Systematic deconstruction, heavy equipment operation, material handling, recycling, and safe teardown methods.

21%

Safety

Cal/OSHA Title 8 requirements, personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard communication, fall protection, and handling hazardous materials.

How to Pass the C-21 Building Moving & Demolition Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Disclosed at test site
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: 3.5 hours
  • Exam fee: $450 application fee

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

C-21 Building Moving & Demolition Study Tips from Top Performers

1Review Cal/OSHA Title 8 regulations, specifically Article 31 regarding demolition safety.
2Understand the permit and notification requirements for utility disconnects and hazardous material abatement.
3Familiarize yourself with equipment used for both building moving (jacks, dollies) and heavy demolition.
4Study cost estimating techniques including labor rates, equipment rentals, and disposal fees.
5Practice reading blueprint and site plans to identify load-bearing elements and potential hazards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the experience requirements for the C-21 license?

You must have at least 4 years of journey-level experience in building moving or demolition within the past 10 years.

How long is the C-21 examination?

The exam is computer-delivered and you are given 3.5 hours to complete it.

What is the fee to apply for the C-21 exam?

The application fee is $450, payable to the California Contractors State License Board.

Does the exam test on hazardous materials?

Yes, identifying and safely handling hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead is covered under Planning, Preparation, and Safety.