How to Hire a Butler in OSRS: A Step-by-Step Guide for Old School RuneScape Players
If you’re diving into the world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and looking to streamline your Construction training or simply add a touch of luxury to your Player-Owned House (POH), hiring a butler is a game-changer. But how exactly do you hire a butler in OSRS? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from requirements to benefits, ensuring your POH runs like a well-oiled machine. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned player, this blog post is packed with tips to make the process smooth and SEO-friendly for anyone searching “OSRS how to hire a butler.”
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of hiring a butler, let’s explore why you’d want one in the first place. In OSRS, a butler isn’t just a fancy NPC wandering your house—they’re a practical asset, especially for players focused on Construction or hosting guests in their POH.
Boost Construction Efficiency
The primary reason players hire a butler is to speed up Construction training. Butlers can fetch materials from the bank, un-note items, and even take logs to the sawmill, saving you countless trips and clicks. For example, when building oak dungeon doors or mahogany tables, a butler ensures you’re always stocked with planks, keeping your XP gains steady.
Enhance Your POH Experience
Beyond training, a butler adds flair to your house. They can greet guests, serve food like chocolate cake, and make your POH feel alive. It’s a small but satisfying detail for players who love role-playing or showing off their in-game homes.
Requirements to Hire a Butler in OSRS
Hiring a butler isn’t as simple as walking up to an NPC and handing over some coins. There are specific prerequisites you need to meet. Let’s break them down.
Construction Level Requirement
To hire a standard Butler, you need at least level 40 Construction. This is the sweet spot for most players, as it balances cost and efficiency. However, if you’re eyeing the top-tier Demon Butler, you’ll need level 50 Construction. Start grinding those early Construction levels if you haven’t already!
Player-Owned House Setup
Your POH must have two bedrooms, each with a constructed bed. One bedroom is for you, and the other is for your servant—because even butlers need a place to crash! If a bed is missing, your butler won’t appear until you rebuild it and re-enter your house.
No Existing Servant
You can only have one servant at a time. If you’ve already got a maid or cook hanging around, you’ll need to fire them first. Head to your POH, talk to your current servant, and dismiss them—or visit the Servants’ Guild to sort it out.
How to Hire a Butler: Step-by-Step Process
Now that you’ve got the requirements covered, here’s the exact process to hire a butler in OSRS. Follow these steps, and you’ll have your very own servant in no time.
Step 1: Head to the Servants’ Guild
The Servants’ Guild is your one-stop shop for hiring help. It’s located in East Ardougne, just north of the marketplace. Teleport to Ardougne using a tab or the Ardougne cloak, then walk north past the market stalls. You’ll find the guild building with several NPCs wandering inside.
Step 2: Choose Your Butler
Inside the guild, you’ll see five servants, but we’re focusing on the Butler and Demon Butler:
- Butler: Requires level 40 Construction, costs 5,000 coins every 8 services.
- Demon Butler (Alathazdrar): Requires level 50 Construction, costs 10,000 coins every 8 services.
Talk to the Butler if you’re at level 40, or the Demon Butler if you’ve hit 50. If you’ve completed the Love Story quest, the Demon Butler’s fee drops to 7,500 coins—nice perk!
Step 3: Pay the Fee
Have the initial hiring fee ready in your inventory (not your bank). The Butler will ask for 5,000 coins upfront, while the Demon Butler demands 10,000 coins. Pay up, and they’ll agree to work for you.
Step 4: Return to Your POH
Once hired, teleport back to your POH. Your butler will spawn inside, ready to assist. If they don’t appear, double-check your bedrooms—missing beds are a common culprit.
Comparing the Butler vs. Demon Butler
Not sure which butler to pick? Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide. Both are great, but your choice depends on your budget and training goals.
Butler: The Cost-Effective Choice
The standard Butler is the go-to for most players. With a trip time of 12 seconds and an inventory of 20 items, he’s slightly slower but costs half as much as the Demon Butler. His cost per item is around 32 coins, making him ideal for steady, budget-friendly Construction training.
Demon Butler: Speed and Prestige
The Demon Butler, Alathazdrar, is the premium option. He boasts a 7-second trip time and can carry 26 items, perfect for high-intensity training like gnome benches. However, his 48 coins per item (or 36 post-Love Story) can add up fast. If you’re chasing max XP rates and have the cash, he’s worth it.
| Servant | Construction Level | Initial Cost | Trip Time | Inventory Size | Cost per Item |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | 40 | 5,000 coins | 12 seconds | 20 items | 32 coins |
| Demon Butler | 50 | 10,000 coins | 7 seconds | 26 items | 48 coins (36 with Love Story) |
Tips for Maximizing Your Butler’s Efficiency
Hiring a butler is just the start—using them effectively is where the real gains happen. Here are some pro tips to get the most out of your servant.
Use the Bell Pull or Call Butler Button
Build a bell pull in your dining room or use the “Call Butler” button in the House Options menu to summon your butler instantly. This saves time compared to chasing them around your POH.
Optimize Construction Training
For Construction, time your builds with your butler’s trips. With the Butler, you can build two oak dungeon doors before he returns, keeping your XP flowing without interruption. The Demon Butler’s speed requires tighter timing—try building two mahogany tables or gnome benches per cycle for max efficiency.
Stockpile Coins for Payments
Every 8 services, your butler will demand payment (5,000 for Butler, 10,000 for Demon Butler). Keep coins in your inventory or use a servant’s moneybag (built in your POH) to avoid delays. If you don’t pay, they’ll hold your items hostage until you do!
Leverage Logs-to-Planks Conversion
Send your butler to the sawmill with noted logs to convert them into planks. This is cheaper than buying planks outright and works well with Miscellania’s resource management. Teleport to your house, hand over logs, and bank while they handle the rest.
Troubleshooting: Where’s My Butler?
If your butler vanishes, don’t panic. Check these common issues:
- Missing Bed: Ensure both bedrooms have beds.
- Unpaid Fees: Pay them if they’re waiting for coins.
- Glitch: Log out and back in, or rebuild a room to reset their spawn.
Still stuck? Head back to the Servants’ Guild, fire your current butler, and rehire them.
Conclusion: Elevate Your OSRS Experience with a Butler
Hiring a butler in OSRS is a straightforward yet rewarding process that can transform your Construction grind and POH vibes. Whether you opt for the budget-friendly Butler or the speedy Demon Butler, you’re investing in efficiency and convenience. Follow the steps outlined—hit level 40 or 50 Construction, set up your POH, visit the Servants’ Guild, and pay the fee—and you’ll be barking orders to your servant in no time.
Ready to take your OSRS game to the next level? Hire that butler, stock up on planks, and start building your dream POH today. Have questions or tips of your own? Drop them in the comments below—happy scaping!