OSRS 1-99 Construction Guide for Beginners and Pros

OSRS 1-99 Construction Guide for Beginners and Pros

Leveling Construction in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) from 1 to 99 is one of those skills that feels like a massive grind but also incredibly rewarding. As someone who’s been playing OSRS for years, I’ve built my fair share of mahogany tables and gilded altars, and I’m here to share my journey, tips, and the most efficient methods to max out your Construction skill. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned player, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to hit that sweet 99 Construction cape. Ready to hammer some nails? Let’s dive in!

Construction is one of the most unique skills in OSRS. It’s all about building and upgrading your own Player-Owned House (POH), which not only gives you a cool place to hang out but also unlocks some seriously useful features. From teleport portals to gilded altars for Prayer training, a high Construction level makes your life in Gielinor so much easier.

So, why should you care about Construction? Well, it’s a Buyable Skill, meaning you can throw gold at it to level up quickly if you’ve got the cash. But don’t worry if your bank is looking a bit lean; I’ll cover budget-friendly methods too. Plus, the sense of pride when you show off your maxed-out POH to your friends? Priceless.

When I first started training Construction, I was overwhelmed. The costs, the materials, the constant trips to the bank it felt like a lot. But trust me, once you get the hang of it, it’s like riding a bike. A very expensive bike made of mahogany.

Getting Started with Construction

OSRS 199 Construction Guide NovaMMO

Before you start hammering planks, you need a house. Head to any Estate Agent in Varrock, Falador, Seers’ Village, or Ardougne, and buy a house for just 1,000 coins. Once you’ve got your POH, you’ll need to visit it by using the House Teleport spell (requires 40 Magic) or a teleport tablet. You can also use the Construction cape for teleports if you’re already a pro, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

To train Construction, you’ll need a few basic items:

  • Hammer: Grab one from any general store or your toolbelt.

  • Saw: Buy it from the sawmill operator northeast of Varrock.

  • Planks: These are the bread and butter of Construction. You’ll need thousands of them.

  • Nails: Steel, iron, or mithril nails work best for early levels.

  • Gold: Construction isn’t cheap, so prepare your wallet!

Pro tip: Always use a Servant to fetch planks from the bank. When I first started, I didn’t bother with a servant and ran back and forth to the bank myself. Big mistake. Hiring a butler (requires level 40 Construction and 5,000 coins) saves so much time.

How Much Will It Cost?

Let’s talk numbers. Construction can cost anywhere from 15M to 200M+ GP depending on the methods you use. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Level Range

Method

Estimated Cost

1-33

Oak Planks

1.5M-2M GP

33-52

Oak Larders

4M-6M GP

52-99

Mahogany Tables

100M-120M GP

74-99 (Alt)

Gilded Altars

150M-180M GP

These are rough estimates based on my own grind and current OSRS market prices. Prices fluctuate, so check the Grand Exchange before you commit.

Early Levels (1-33): Starting Small

When you’re just starting out, your POH is a tiny shack in Rimmington. Don’t worry, it gets better. The fastest way to get through these early levels is by building Crude Wooden Chairs and then moving on to Oak Chairs. You’ll need regular planks and nails for this.

Here’s what I did back in the day: I’d chop some trees for logs, take them to the sawmill, and turn them into planks. It’s slow, but if you’re broke, it works. If you’ve got some gold, just buy planks from the Grand Exchange and save yourself the hassle.

  • Crude Wooden Chair (Level 1): 2 planks, 2 nails (58 XP each).

  • Wooden Bookcase (Level 4): 4 planks, 4 nails (115 XP each).

  • Oak Chair (Level 19): 2 oak planks (120 XP each).

Question: Ever tried building chairs for hours? It’s mind-numbing, right?

It is, but it’s also satisfying watching your house slowly take shape. Stick with oak planks from level 19 onward; they’re affordable and give decent XP.

Mid Levels (33-52): Oak Larders and Beyond

Once you hit level 33, it’s time to switch to Oak Larders. These are a game-changer. Each larder requires 8 oak planks and gives 480 XP. You can build and remove them repeatedly in your POH’s kitchen room. This is where I started to feel like I was making real progress.

Here’s the process:

  1. Enter Building Mode in your POH.

  2. Go to the kitchen and select the larder space.

  3. Build an oak larder (8 oak planks).

  4. Remove it and repeat.

I remember spending hours doing this while watching movies on my second monitor. It’s repetitive, but it’s also kind of relaxing once you get into a rhythm. A butler makes this even smoother since they can fetch 24 planks at a time, so you’re not constantly teleporting to the bank.

Pro Tip: Use the Phials in Rimmington to un-note your planks for just 5 coins each. It’s a lifesaver when you’re burning through thousands of planks.

Should You Stick with Oak Larders?

For most players, oak larders are the go-to until level 52. They’re cost-effective, and oak planks are relatively cheap (around 400-500 GP each). If you’re looking to save money, this is your best bet. I managed to get from 33 to 52 in a weekend, and it only cost me about 5M GP back then.

High Levels (52-99): Mahogany Tables or Gilded Altars

Alright, this is where things get expensive but also super exciting. At level 52, you unlock Mahogany Tables, which are the fastest way to 99 for most players. Each table requires 6 mahogany planks and gives 840 XP. The catch? Mahogany planks cost around 2,000-2,500 GP each, so you’re looking at a hefty bill.

Here’s how I tackled this part of my grind:

  • Setup: I made sure my POH had a workshop with a workbench space.

  • Servant: I hired a Demon Butler (requires level 50 Construction, 10,000 coins per 8 uses). This guy is fast and can carry 26 planks at once.

  • Rhythm: Build a table, remove it, call the butler, repeat. I’d usually do this while chatting with friends in a clan or listening to music.

The first time I built a mahogany table, I was shocked at how fast the XP rolled in. It’s like watching your XP bar fill up in real-time. But my bank account? It was crying.

Alternative Method: Gilded Altars (Level 75-99)

If you’ve got a massive bank and want to flex, Gilded Altars are an option at level 75. Each altar requires 2 marble blocks, 2 bolts of cloth, and 4 gold leaves, giving 2,230 XP. These are insanely expensive (marble blocks are around 300K-350K GP each), but they’re a status symbol. I built a few gilded altars just to say I did it, and let me tell you, it felt like I was burning GP in a bonfire.

Question: Have you ever splurged on something in OSRS just for the flex?

I have, and gilded altars were it. They’re not the most efficient for XP per GP, but they’re great if you’re also training Prayer or want a fancy POH for hosting.

Budget-Friendly Tips for Construction

Not everyone has 100M+ GP to throw at Construction, and that’s okay. Here are some tips I learned the hard way:

  • Use Oak Planks Longer: Stick with oak larders past level 52 if mahogany is too pricey. The XP is slower, but it’s way cheaper.

  • Wintertodt for Logs: If you’re low on cash, train Firemaking at Wintertodt and use the logs to make planks.

  • Daily Battlestaves: Buy battlestaves from Baba Yaga on Lunar Isle or Zaff in Varrock for some extra GP to fund your grind.

  • Plank Make Spell: If you’ve got 86 Magic and the Lunar spellbook, the Plank Make spell can save you some coins by turning logs into planks.

When I was a broke player, I spent weeks at Wintertodt just to afford oak planks. It’s slow, but it taught me patience, and I eventually got there.

XP Rates and Time to 99

How long does it take to get 99 Construction? It depends on your method and how much you’re willing to spend. Here’s a rough estimate based on my experience:

Method

XP/Hour

Time to 99 (13M XP)

Oak Larders

200K-250K

52-65 hours

Mahogany Tables

800K-900K

14-16 hours

Gilded Altars

1M-1.2M

11-13 hours

These numbers assume you’re focused and using a butler. If you’re casually training or don’t have a servant, it’ll take longer. I hit 99 in about 15 hours of pure mahogany table grinding, spread over a few weeks because, well, I have a life outside of Gielinor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made plenty of mistakes while training Construction, so let me save you some pain:

  • Not Using a Servant: I already mentioned this, but seriously, don’t skip the butler. It’s worth the cost.

  • Buying Overpriced Planks: Always check Grand Exchange prices. I once bought mahogany planks at a 10% markup because I was impatient. Ouch.

  • Forgetting to Remove Furniture: You don’t get XP for building something that’s already there, so always remove before rebuilding.

  • Ignoring Teleports: Use House Teleport tablets or the spell to save time. Running to Rimmington manually is a nightmare.

Question: What’s the dumbest mistake you’ve made in OSRS?

For me, it was accidentally selling my entire stack of planks at half price on the GE. Never again.

Why 99 Construction Is Worth It

Hitting 99 Construction was one of my proudest moments in OSRS. The Construction Cape gives you unlimited teleports to your POH, which is amazing for quick access to portals or your altar. Plus, a maxed-out POH is a flex. I love inviting friends over to show off my Ornate Pool (heals, restores stats, and cures poison) and my Teleport Nexus for instant travel across Gielinor.

But more than that, it’s about the journey. Grinding Construction taught me how to manage my GP, plan efficiently, and stay patient. It’s not just a skill; it’s a mindset.

Final Thoughts

Getting from 1 to 99 Construction in OSRS is no small feat, but it’s totally doable with the right approach. Whether you’re sticking to oak planks to save cash or going all-in with mahogany tables, the key is consistency. My journey to 99 was a mix of late-night grinds, some questionable financial decisions, and a lot of satisfaction when I finally got that cape.

So, what’s your plan? Are you going budget or splashing the cash? Whatever you choose, I hope this guide helps you nail that 99. Drop a comment if you’ve got any tips or stories from your own Construction grind I’d love to hear them!