Construction Boosts in OSRS: How to Temporarily Increase Your Construction Level

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In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), training Construction can be expensive, but you don’t always need to reach a specific level permanently to unlock certain features or build specific items. This is where Construction boosts come in — temporary increases to your Construction level that allow you to build high-level furniture or rooms without having to level up the skill fully.

Using boosts wisely can save time and tens of millions of GP. In this guide, we’ll cover the most common Construction boosts in OSRS, how to use them, and which methods are most reliable.

What is a Construction Boost?

A Construction boost is a temporary increase to your Construction skill level that allows you to build furniture, rooms, or features that you normally couldn’t at your base level. These boosts are especially useful for:

  • Building Gilded Altars
  • Constructing Teleport Portals
  • Unlocking Restoration Pools
  • Creating Jewellery Boxes, Cape Hangers, and Ornate Rejuvenation Pools

Best Construction Boosts in OSRS

1. Spicy Stew (Orange Spice)

  • Boost: Up to +5 Construction
  • Requirements: Completion of the Evil Dave subquest from Recipe for Disaster
  • How it works: Add up to 3 doses of orange spice to a spicy stew. The boost is random and can range from -5 to +5.
  • Notes:
    • Multiple attempts may be needed.
    • Bring planks and materials with you to build immediately before the boost wears off.

2. Crystal Saw

  • Boost: +3 Construction
  • Requirements: Completion of the Eyes of Glouphrie quest
  • How it works: Grants a +3 boost to Construction when building furniture that requires a saw, including things like portal frames, altars, and furniture.
  • Notes: Does not stack with other boosts and doesn’t work on building rooms or anything not requiring a saw.

3. Tea from a Teak Shelves 2

  • Boost: +3 Construction
  • Requirements: Level 67 Construction to build Teak shelves 2 (or someone else’s house)
  • How it works: Use the shelves in your POH kitchen to make a cup of tea.
  • Notes: One of the more consistent boosts, but not high enough for top-tier builds.

4. Saw and Tea Stack

  • Combined Boost: Up to +6
  • Use the +3 tea and the +3 crystal saw (only applies if both conditions are met).
  • Best Use: For builds requiring up to 6 levels higher than your current level and that use a saw.

Practical Boosting Examples

  • Gilded Altar (Requires 75 Construction)
    • Base level 70 + Crystal Saw (+3) + Spicy Stew (+2) = 75
  • Ornate Jewellery Box (Requires 91 Construction)
    • Base level 86 + Crystal Saw (+3) + Spicy Stew (+2) = 91
    • Or base 85 with a +5 stew and saw
  • Ornate Rejuvenation Pool (Requires 90 Construction)
    • Base level 85 + Crystal Saw (+3) + Spicy Stew (+2) = 90

These methods are common for Ironmen and regular accounts alike to unlock high-end POH features without paying for full 90+ Construction.

Tips for Using Construction Boosts

  • Prepare all materials in advance so you can build immediately once the boost is active.
  • Use a butler or unnoting service (like Phials in Rimmington) to save time during the boost window.
  • Bring multiple spicy stews to increase your chances of hitting the right boost.
  • Use a stopwatch or timer — stew boosts decay quickly (about 60 seconds).
  • Use the Eyes of Glouphrie crystal saw for nearly every build that requires a saw.

Conclusion

Construction boosts in OSRS are a powerful tool to bypass costly and time-consuming training for specific house upgrades. Whether you’re aiming to build a gilded altar or unlock an ornate pool, using boosts like spicy stew and the crystal saw allows you to save millions of GP and hours of training. With the right timing and preparation, Construction boosting is both efficient and effective — especially for Ironmen and budget-conscious players.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the maximum boost I can get for Construction?
A: +5 from spicy stew (orange spice), plus +3 from the crystal saw for a total of +8 — but only if the furniture uses a saw.

Q: Does the crystal saw work for building rooms?
A: No, the crystal saw only applies to furniture that requires a saw. It does not boost for room construction.

Q: Can I use spicy stew and tea together?
A: Technically yes, but the crystal saw + spicy stew combo is more reliable for higher boosts.

Q: How long does a spicy stew boost last?
A: Around 60 seconds. You’ll need to be quick and prepared.

Q: What happens if my boost runs out mid-build?
A: The build will fail or be cancelled. Always have materials ready and use the boost right before building.

Q: Is boosting worth it for Ironmen?
A: Absolutely. Boosting allows Ironmen to access top-tier house upgrades without needing 90+ Construction.

If you need a detailed material list for a specific boosted build (like the ornate pool or jewellery box), just ask!