Construction is a rewarding but costly skill in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), allowing players to build and customize their very own Player-Owned House (POH). It offers a variety of benefits, including teleportation options, prayer restoration, and item storage. However, leveling up Construction can be a daunting task due to the substantial cost of materials. An OSRS Construction calculator can help players plan their training and optimize their expenses, ensuring an efficient and cost-effective path to maxing out the skill.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about OSRS Construction calculators, including how to use them, popular training methods, the most cost-effective materials, and tips for getting the most out of your Construction training.

What is an OSRS Construction Calculator?

An OSRS Construction calculator is an online tool that helps players determine the most efficient way to train their Construction skill. It takes into account various factors such as your current level, your target level, the types of materials you wish to use, and your budget. The calculator will then provide an estimate of the number of materials you will need, the cost of those materials, and the amount of experience you will gain. This allows players to plan ahead, manage their resources effectively, and avoid overspending.

How to Use an OSRS Construction Calculator

Using an OSRS Construction calculator is simple. Here are the typical steps you’ll follow:

1. Input Your Current Level and Target Level: Start by entering your current Construction level and the level you aim to achieve. This gives the calculator a starting point and an end goal for your training.
2. Choose the Materials and Methods: Construction training involves building various furniture, decorations, and objects in your POH. Each object provides a different amount of experience, and some require specific materials (such as planks, nails, or marble blocks). The calculator allows you to select which objects and materials you plan to use for training.
3. Calculate Costs and Experience: The calculator will generate a breakdown of the required number of materials, estimated cost, and total experience gain for each method. Some calculators also offer suggestions for the most cost-effective methods or the fastest training routes.
4. Adjust Settings for Budget or Speed: You can customize the training plan based on your priorities. If you want to save money, the calculator can show you slower but cheaper methods. If speed is your goal, it can suggest the most efficient (but often more expensive) methods.
5. Track Your Progress: Some calculators offer progress tracking features, allowing you to update your current level periodically and see how much more training is needed.

Popular Construction Training Methods

Training Construction can be expensive, but choosing the right methods can help you level up efficiently while keeping costs under control. Here are some popular options for Construction training:

1. Regular Planks (Levels 1-33)

At the lower levels, regular planks are a cost-effective option for getting started. These can be used to build crude wooden chairs or wooden bookcases in your POH. While the experience per hour is not impressive, the low cost makes this a popular choice for beginners.

Materials Needed:

• Regular planks
• Steel nails (for some builds)

2. Oak Planks (Levels 33-52)

Oak planks are often the preferred choice once you reach level 33, as they offer a higher experience rate compared to regular planks without being excessively expensive. Oak larders are a common training method, providing decent experience per hour.

Training Method:

• Build oak larders in the kitchen room of your POH.
• Each oak larder requires 8 oak planks.

Experience Rate:

• Around 120,000-150,000 experience per hour, depending on your speed and efficiency.

3. Teak Planks (Levels 52-74)

Teak planks are a step up from oak planks, offering higher experience per plank. Building teak garden benches is a popular method due to their relatively high experience rate and moderate cost.

Training Method:

• Build teak garden benches in the formal garden room.
• Each bench requires 6 teak planks.

Experience Rate:

• Roughly 250,000-300,000 experience per hour.

4. Mahogany Planks (Levels 74-99)

Mahogany planks provide the highest experience per plank, making them ideal for players who prioritize speed over cost. The most efficient training method at these levels is building mahogany tables or other high-level furniture.

Training Method:

• Build mahogany tables in the dining room.
• Each table requires 6 mahogany planks.

Experience Rate:

• Can reach up to 700,000 experience per hour.

Calculating Costs with an OSRS Construction Calculator

An OSRS Construction calculator helps to break down the cost of reaching a desired level by factoring in the price of planks, materials, and servants (for bringing planks to the player). Here’s how you can calculate costs effectively:

1. Estimate the Cost of Planks: Plank prices can fluctuate due to market changes. The most common plank types are regular, oak, teak, and mahogany. You can get a rough estimate by checking the current Grand Exchange prices.
2. Account for Servant Costs: When training Construction, you’ll likely use a servant to bring planks to your building space. Each servant charges a fee for their services, and higher-level servants are more expensive. Calculators will factor in these costs to give you a more accurate estimate.
3. Plan for Overhead Costs: Some high-level items, like marble blocks or gold leaves, can add significant overhead to your training costs. If you plan to use these, make sure to include them in your calculations.
4. Update Prices Regularly: Prices of materials may change, so make sure to check the most recent prices for accurate cost calculations.

Tips for Efficient Construction Training

To make the most out of your Construction training, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Use a Butler for Faster Training

Hiring a butler or demon butler significantly speeds up the training process by fetching planks for you, allowing you to build without pausing. This reduces downtime and increases experience per hour.

2. Use the Phials Service

Phials, an NPC located in Rimmington, offers a quick unnoting service for planks. This can be helpful for players training at Rimmington who don’t want to use a servant.

3. Utilize the Crystal Saw and Construction Cape

The Crystal Saw provides an invisible +3 bonus to Construction, allowing you to build items three levels higher than your actual Construction level. If you have the Construction cape, it allows for unlimited teleports to your house, making training more convenient.

4. Save Money with PoH Teleports

Use house teleport tablets or the construction cape for quick teleports back to your house to reset your servant’s inventory or change rooms. This saves time and increases efficiency.

5. Take Advantage of Bonus Experience Events

OSRS periodically runs Double XP events or other bonus experience promotions. Participating in these can significantly reduce the number of materials needed to reach your target level.

Most Cost-Effective Materials for Construction Training

The cost-effectiveness of Construction training depends on the choice of materials. Here’s a quick rundown:

1. Regular Planks: Cheapest option for lower levels but offers low experience per plank.
2. Oak Planks: A balanced choice between cost and experience gain. Suitable for mid-level training.
3. Teak Planks: More expensive than oak but offers higher experience rates. Ideal for players who can afford the increased cost.
4. Mahogany Planks: The most expensive but provides the fastest experience rates, making it ideal for high-level training when speed is prioritized over cost.

Conclusion

An OSRS Construction calculator is an indispensable tool for players who want to efficiently level up their Construction skill. It helps you plan your training by providing a clear picture of costs, experience gains, and material requirements. Whether you’re aiming for the fastest possible route or a more budget-friendly approach, using a calculator can optimize your experience and save you valuable time and resources.