OSRS Construction in Construction
Introduction
When exploring the world of construction, the term OSRS Construction might seem like an unexpected crossover. However, “Construction in OSRS (Old School RuneScape)” is a well-developed skill in one of the most iconic MMORPGs, and it carries striking parallels to real-world construction practices.
From planning layouts and managing resources to building rooms and customizing environments, the Construction skill in OSRS simulates a simplified, gamified version of what real-world builders, architects, and contractors do. This article explores OSRS Construction through the lens of practical construction principles, offering a fascinating perspective on how game mechanics mimic real-life trades.
What Is OSRS Construction?
OSRS Construction is a members-only skill in Old School RuneScape that allows players to build and customize their Player-Owned House (POH). Players can construct rooms, furniture, utility features, and decorative elements by using tools and materials—primarily planks and nails.
This construction process is not just cosmetic. It has tangible gameplay benefits like teleportation, prayer restoration, healing, and even storage for costumes and gear.
Comparing OSRS Construction to Real Construction
The OSRS skill, although digital, mimics key aspects of physical construction:
| Real-World Construction | OSRS Construction Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Building blueprints & layouts | POH layout and room planning |
| Construction materials | Planks, nails, stone, marble, gold leaf |
| Skilled labor | Use of servants like Butlers |
| Utilities and infrastructure | Healing pools, teleportation portals |
| Cost management | GP economy, sawmill conversion fees |
| Expansion and upgrades | Adding rooms and upgrading furniture |
These similarities make the OSRS Construction skill not only a strategic asset in the game but also an engaging introduction to construction planning.
How to Start Construction in OSRS
To begin training Construction, players must:
1. Purchase a House
- Visit an Estate Agent (e.g., in Varrock, Falador).
- Buy your first house for 1,000 coins (default location: Rimmington).
2. Gather Materials
- Tools: Hammer and Saw
- Primary materials: Logs turned into Planks (regular, oak, teak, mahogany).
- Optional: Nails, cloth, limestone, marble blocks, gold leaf.
3. Enter Building Mode
- Activate Building Mode at your house portal.
- You’ll see “hotspots” to build furniture or add rooms.
Levels and Progression
Construction in OSRS ranges from level 1 to 99, with unlockable rooms, items, and utilities along the way.
| Level | Unlockable Feature | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parlour | First room, basic furniture |
| 33 | Oak Larders | Common training method |
| 50 | Portal Chamber, Demon Butler | Huge utility and training speed boost |
| 70 | Superior Garden | Allows Ornate Pool and Fairy Ring (later) |
| 75 | Gilded Altar | Best method for training Prayer |
| 82–84 | Max-House Utilities | Access to Spirit Tree, Fairy Ring, Nexus |
| 99 | Skillcape + Full POH Unlock | Maxed POH with massive utility value |
Training Methods
You can train Construction fast and expensive or slow and budget-friendly, depending on your GP balance.
Fast Methods
Oak Larders (Level 33+)
- Use oak planks at the kitchen larder hotspot.
- Moderate cost (~6–8 GP/XP), 300–400k XP/hr.
Mahogany Tables or Gnome Benches (Level 52+/77+)
- Use mahogany planks, best XP/hr.
- High cost (10–12 GP/XP), but up to 1M+ XP/hr.
Oak Dungeon Doors (Level 74+)
- Efficient and low-click training using oak planks.
- XP/hr: ~500–600k; very low effort.
Cost-Effective Method
Mahogany Homes (Level 1+)
- A minigame-style training method.
- Travel to fix NPC homes using planks.
- Slower XP (~150–220k/hr) but much cheaper and gives Carpenter Points.
Best Construction Utilities and Structures
Building a high-functioning house is key to unlocking OSRS Construction’s full benefits.
1. Ornate Rejuvenation Pool
- Restores run, prayer, stats, and special attack.
- Requires 90 Construction.
2. Teleport Nexus
- Stores dozens of teleport spells.
- Central hub for fast world travel.
3. Spirit Tree and Fairy Ring
- Combines two powerful teleport systems into one.
4. Gilded Altar
- Grants up to 3.5x Prayer XP per bone with burners lit.
5. Jewelry Box
- Access to games necklace, ring of dueling, etc., from one location.
Building Materials and Costs
| Material | Use Case | Cost Estimate (as of 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Planks | Larders, Dungeon Doors | ~500–600 GP each |
| Teak Planks | Benches, Costume Storage | ~700–850 GP each |
| Mahogany Planks | Tables, Gnome Benches | ~1,400–1,600 GP each |
| Marble Blocks | High-end furniture | ~325k+ GP each |
| Gold Leaf | Gilded decor, altar upgrades | ~130k+ GP each |
Construction Cost to 99 (Estimates)
| Method | Cost Range | XP/hr | GP/XP Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Larders | 50–70M GP | 350k | 6–8 GP/XP |
| Mahogany Benches | 150–200M GP | 1M+ | 10–12 GP/XP |
| Mahogany Homes | 25–40M GP | 150–220k | ~3–4 GP/XP |
| Oak Dungeon Doors | 70–90M GP | 500k | 7–9 GP/XP |
Construction in Ironman Accounts
For Ironman mode, where Grand Exchange use is limited:
- Teak trees in Hardwood Grove (Tai Bwo Wannai) are the best plank source.
- Mahogany Homes is Ironman-friendly for steady XP.
- Construction becomes a slow grind without bulk plank buying.
Benefits of High Construction Level
- Faster travel via jewelry box, teleport nexus, fairy ring
- Prayer training with Gilded Altar
- Healing station in-house
- Storage via costume room
- Slayer and Bossing efficiency via house teleports and restoration
- Diaries and quests like Song of the Elves often require 70+ Construction
FAQs
Q1: Is Construction worth the cost in OSRS?
Yes. Despite its cost, Construction provides unmatched quality-of-life upgrades, teleportation, and restoration utilities.
Q2: What’s the fastest way to train Construction?
Building Gnome Benches with mahogany planks after level 77 offers over 1M XP/hr, but it’s expensive.
Q3: How do I reduce Construction costs?
Use Mahogany Homes, Plank Sack, and avoid decorative items. You can also make your own planks with logs and the sawmill.
Q4: At what level is a house considered “functional”?
Around 83–84 Construction, you can build all the most useful features: ornate pool, teleport nexus, fairy ring, and jewelry box.
Q5: What’s the benefit of the Construction skillcape?
At level 99, the Construction cape offers unlimited house teleports and allows toggling build mode from anywhere.
Q6: Can I move my house location?
Yes. Estate Agents let you move your POH to various cities like Yanille, Taverley, or Rellekka for a fee.
Q7: What do servants do?
Servants fetch materials from your bank to your POH, saving time during training. The Demon Butler is the fastest.
Q8: Is Construction useful for other skills?
Absolutely. It enhances Prayer (via altar), Slayer (restoration), and Magic (teleports) while saving travel time across all content.
Conclusion:
OSRS Construction is more than just a skill—it’s a powerful construction simulator built into a game. From planning and managing resources to unlocking top-tier utilities and aesthetics, mastering Construction in OSRS mirrors many fundamentals of real-world construction. Whether you’re playing for fun, efficiency, or prestige, investing in this skill pays off across nearly every area of the game.
