How to Build a House in Old School RuneScape A Step-by-Step Guide
Building a player-owned house (POH) in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most rewarding aspects of the Construction skill. Your house can serve as a teleport hub, a training ground, a social space, or even a flex of your in-game achievements. Whether you’re a newbie just starting out or a seasoned player looking to optimize your POH, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to build an epic house in OSRS. From purchasing your first plot to designing a max-level mansion, let’s dive into the process!
Before you can start hammering planks into furniture, you need to own a house. The Construction skill, which is members-only, is the backbone of building and customizing your POH. Here’s how to kick things off.
Purchasing Your First House
To begin, you’ll need to buy a house from an Estate Agent, who can be found in cities like Varrock, Falador, Seers’ Village, East Ardougne, or Hosidius. The starter house costs just 1,000 coins and is located in Rimmington by default. Alternatively, you can complete the Daddy’s Home miniquest to get a free house, which is a great option for new players looking to save a few coins.
- Requirements: Membership and 1,000 coins (or completion of Daddy’s Home).
- Tip: If you’re low on cash, sell some basic items like logs or fish to scrape together the 1,000 coins.
Accessing Your House
Once purchased, you can enter your house via a house portal, marked by a house icon on the world map. Rimmington’s portal is the default, but you can teleport to your house using a level 40 Magic spell (Teleport to House) or a house teleport tablet. Walking to the portal works too if you’re not in a rush.
Understanding Construction Basics
Construction is all about building rooms and furniture using materials like planks, nails, and coins. Your house starts with a basic parlour and garden, but with enough skill and resources, you can expand it into a sprawling estate. Let’s break down the essentials.
Entering Building Mode
To customize your house, you need to enter building mode. This can be done by:
- Right-clicking the house portal and selecting “Enter House (Building Mode).”
- Going to Settings > Gameplay > Skills & Experience > Construction and toggling building mode on.
In building mode, you’ll see ghostly “hotspots” where you can build furniture or new rooms. Right-click these hotspots to access build options, which show the required materials, Construction level, and costs.
Gathering Materials
The primary material for Construction is planks, which you can get from the sawmill operator northeast of Varrock. Different types of planks offer varying experience and costs:
| Plank Type | Cost per Plank (Coins) | Experience per Use (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Plank | 100 | Low |
| Oak Plank | 250 | Medium |
| Teak Plank | 500 | High |
| Mahogany Plank | 1,500 | Very High |
Other materials include nails (bronze, iron, or steel), cloth, limestone, marble, gold leaf, and magic building crystals (available from the stonemason in Keldagrim). Stock up on these based on what you plan to build.
Planning Your House Layout
A well-designed POH saves time, money, and effort. Poor planning can lead to costly reworks, so take a moment to map out your house before building. Here’s how to approach it.
Choosing a Location
While Rimmington is the default, you can move your house to one of eight locations, each with unique perks. Moving requires a certain Construction level and a fee paid to the Estate Agent. Here are some popular choices:
- Rimmington: Free to start, near a bank deposit box at the Crafting Guild. Great for beginners.
- Prifddinas: Requires 75 Construction and Song of the Elves. Ideal for endgame players due to its teleport proximity.
- Yanille: Close to a bank and good for PvM with its teleport options.
Room Placement Tips
Your house’s layout affects how efficiently you can use it. Consider these strategies:
- Place key rooms near the portal: Rooms like the Portal Chamber, Chapel, or Workshop are best near the entrance for quick access.
- Optimize staircases: Spiral staircases can be accessed from any side, unlike normal ones, which can slow navigation if facing the wrong way.
- Plan for expansion: Leave space for high-level rooms like the Superior Garden or Achievement Gallery.
Pro Tip: Use fan-made tools like the OSRS House Planner to mock up your layout before spending coins.
Building Rooms and Furniture
With your plan in place, it’s time to start building. Rooms and furniture are the heart of your POH, offering both utility and flair. Let’s explore how to make the most of them.
Adding New Rooms
To build a room, right-click a door hotspot in building mode and select “Build.” You’ll see a list of available rooms, each with a Construction level requirement and coin cost. Some useful early rooms include:
- Kitchen (Level 5, 5,000 coins): Build larders for fast Construction training and make tea for a temporary skill boost.
- Workshop (Level 15, 10,000 coins): Craft flat-pack furniture or repair Barrows armor.
- Bedroom (Level 20, 10,000 coins): Needed to hire a servant (requires two bedrooms).
Crafting Furniture
Furniture is built on hotspots within rooms. Each piece requires specific materials and Construction levels. Here are some standout options:
- Gilded Altar (Chapel, Level 75): Offers a massive Prayer training boost when offering bones.
- Ornate Rejuvenation Pool (Superior Garden, Level 90): Restores all stats, hitpoints, and prayer—perfect for PvM.
- Crystalline Portal Nexus (Portal Chamber, Level 92): Provides unlimited teleports to multiple destinations.
Training Tip: For leveling Construction, repeatedly build and remove oak larders (Kitchen, Level 33) or dungeon oak doors (Level 74) for efficient experience.
Maximizing Your POH’s Potential
A great POH isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a functional powerhouse. Here are ways to make your house a game-changer.
Hiring a Servant
At level 20 Construction, after building two bedrooms, you can hire a servant from the Servants’ Guild in Ardougne. Servants save time by fetching materials from the bank or sawmill. Higher-level servants, like the Demon Butler, are faster and carry more items but cost more.
| Servant | Construction Level | Hire Cost (Coins) | Items Carried |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rick | 20 | 500 | 6 |
| Butler | 40 | 5,000 | 20 |
| Demon Butler | 50 | 10,000 | 26 |
Boosting Construction Efficiency
To build higher-level items or rooms, you can temporarily boost your Construction level:
- Construction Tea: Made in a Kitchen, gives a +1 to +3 boost depending on the shelves.
- Crystal Saw: Adds a +3 boost for furniture requiring a saw (not rooms).
- Spicy Stew (Orange Spice): Can boost up to +6, but it’s random, so stock up on spices.
Note: A max boost of +8 is possible by combining tea, a crystal saw, and spicy stew.
Social and Utility Features
Your POH can be a social hub or a practical tool. Host house parties on official house party worlds to show off your setup, or use rooms like the Combat Room for friendly duels. For utility, build a Menagerie to store pets or a Treasure Room for dungeon challenges.
By carefully planning your house, stocking up on materials, and leveraging boosts and servants, you’ll turn your POH into a cornerstone of your OSRS experience. Whether you’re aiming for a cozy retreat or a maxed-out mansion, the Construction skill offers endless possibilities. Happy building!