Mahogany Homes Calculator
Introduction to Mahogany Homes
Welcome, aspiring Gielinor builders! If you're looking to level up your Construction skill in Old School RuneScape, you've likely heard of Mahogany Homes. This popular minigame offers a more engaging and often more cost-effective method of training Construction compared to traditional house building. Instead of repeatedly clicking on an altar in your Player-Owned House, Mahogany Homes sends you on a journey across Gielinor, repairing homes for various NPCs.
This guide and accompanying calculator will help you understand the ins and outs of Mahogany Homes, optimize your training, and determine exactly what you'll need to reach your desired Construction level.
Why Choose Mahogany Homes for Construction?
Mahogany Homes has quickly become a favorite for many players, and for good reason:
- More Engaging: It breaks the monotony of traditional Construction training by requiring you to travel and interact with NPCs.
- Lower Cost: Often significantly cheaper per XP than building in your POH, especially for lower-tier planks.
- Carpenter's Outfit: Earn pieces of the Carpenter's outfit, which provides bonus Construction XP.
- Supply Crate Rewards: Accumulate points to exchange for useful rewards, including the Plank Sack, Saw, and the full Carpenter's outfit.
- Ironman Friendly: Especially valuable for Ironmen who might struggle with the vast plank requirements and GP costs of POH training.
How Mahogany Homes Works
The core gameplay loop of Mahogany Homes involves taking contracts, gathering materials, traveling to the designated house, repairing it, and then returning for your reward. Here's a breakdown:
Getting Started
To begin, you'll need a Construction level of at least 20. Head to one of the four Carpenter's Guilds:
- Hosidius: Located south-east of the Grand Exchange, requires 45% Hosidius favour.
- Varrock: North-east of Varrock Palace.
- Falador: North of the Falador East Bank.
- Ardougne: South-east of the Ardougne Market.
Speak to the Carpenter Master (or Apprentice, Journeyman, or Master Carpenter, depending on your level) to receive a contract.
Contract Tiers and Requirements
There are four tiers of contracts, each offering different XP rates, plank requirements, and Construction level requirements:
- Novice Contract: Level 20 Construction. Repairs small houses, requires 1-2 planks.
- Standard Contract: Level 50 Construction. Repairs medium houses, requires 2-3 planks.
- Expert Contract: Level 70 Construction. Repairs large houses, requires 3-4 planks.
- Master Contract: Level 80 Construction. Repairs estates, requires 4-5 planks.
The type of plank you use (Oak, Teak, or Mahogany) significantly impacts the XP gained and the cost.
The Repair Process
Once you accept a contract, you'll be assigned to an NPC in a specific location. You need to travel there with the required planks, then click on the damaged furniture or structure to repair it. You'll receive Construction XP for each repair and then a bonus XP drop upon completion of the contract. After completing a contract, return to any Carpenter's Guild to report your completion and receive your reward points and additional XP.
Optimal Strategies and Tips
Choosing Your Planks
The choice of planks is crucial for balancing XP rates and cost:
- Oak Planks: Cheapest option, lowest XP per plank. Good for budget training or lower levels.
- Teak Planks: Mid-range cost and XP. Often considered the best balance for most players.
- Mahogany Planks: Most expensive, highest XP per plank. Best for fast XP if money isn't an issue.
Remember, the XP from the planks is added to the base contract XP. Our calculator takes this into account!
Contract Tier Selection
Always use the highest contract tier available to you. Higher tiers offer significantly more base XP per contract, leading to faster overall XP rates and more Carpenter Points.
Essential Gear and Items
- Carpenter's Outfit: Each piece (hat, top, trousers, boots) grants a 2.5% Construction XP boost, for a total of 10% with the full set. Prioritize obtaining this through rewards.
- Plank Sack: Purchaseable with 250 Carpenter Points, holds up to 200 of each type of plank. Essential for efficiency.
- Saw: Purchaseable with 150 Carpenter Points, acts as a permanent saw. Very convenient.
- Teleports: Bring plenty of teleport tablets or runes (e.g., Varrock, Falador, Ardougne, House Teleport) to quickly move between contract locations and the bank.
- Stamina Potions: Useful for sustained running between locations.
- Graceful Outfit: Helps with run energy regeneration.
Maximizing Efficiency
To maximize your XP and minimize time spent:
- Bank Setup: Organize your bank with a tab dedicated to planks and teleport tablets.
- Pre-load Planks: Fill your Plank Sack and inventory with your chosen plank type before starting a session.
- Optimal Routes: Learn the fastest routes to each contract location. Use a house teleport to your POH, then use the Portal Nexus or a mounted glory/xerics talisman to quickly access different cities.
- "Skip" Contracts: If you get a contract to a far-off or inconvenient location, you can cancel it (at a small Carpenter Point penalty) and request a new one. This is generally not recommended unless the location is truly egregious.
Expected XP Rates and Costs
The XP rates and costs vary widely based on your Construction level, plank choice, contract tier, and efficiency. Generally, you can expect:
- Oak Planks: 40k-60k XP/hr, 5-10 GP/XP.
- Teak Planks: 60k-90k XP/hr, 8-15 GP/XP.
- Mahogany Planks: 80k-120k XP/hr, 12-20 GP/XP.
These are rough estimates. Our calculator provides a more precise projection based on your specific inputs.
Conclusion
Mahogany Homes offers a fantastic alternative for Construction training in OSRS, providing a more engaging experience with competitive XP rates and often lower costs. By utilizing the right planks, choosing the highest contract tier, and equipping yourself with the Carpenter's outfit and Plank Sack, you'll be well on your way to 99 Construction. Use our calculator above to plan your journey and happy building!