The Blog

Build-a-lot FAQ

Posted July 22, 2010 by Ramon • 23Comments

Although we've recently launched Build-a-lot 2, for the iPhone and iTouch, we know there's still plenty of you passing the time with the original. We also know that many of you have questions about certain aspects of the game so we've put together the following FAQ that should help you along the way.

We encourage everyone to shoot over any additional questions via our comment section below and we'll do our best to answer them as best as we can.

Now read on and get ready to start buying, upgrading and selling!

* How do you unlock the 'secret level'?
- To unlock it, you'll need to complete the game and get a star on every level.

* What are the requirements to inspect a house?
- You'll need to get a blueprint and then build a Workshop.

* I keep having to pay property taxes; how can I avoid that?
- If you build a bank, you can opt to donate the interest to charity. You'll want to tap on the ribbon icon when selecting your bank. After doing so, you'll see that ribbon show up next to the building. This will eliminate property taxes.

* What does the gold coin logo mean?
- You'll see a gold coin logo show up next to certain properties which means they are premier lots. You'll get higher income from these but they'll also cost you more to buy.

* How do you inspect a house?
- Once you meet the requirements (see above), you can select the house you want to inspect and then tap the magnifying glass icon.

* Some of the goals to complete a level seem to come in much too late and I run out of time.
- Additional goals are activated by completed ones that you begin with. The faster you complete the original goals, the quicker you'll see additional ones if the level calls for it.

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Haven't tried out the original Build-a-lot yet? Then be sure to download it today!

Categories: Build-a-Lot, Tips and Tricks

Anonymous Nov 9, 2010 at 12:34pm

In casual mode, there is no option to inspect a house. I have the workshop blueprint and have built a workshop. When I tap a house, there is no magnifying glass like there is in career mode after I build a workshop. Can you inspect houses in casual mode?

Ramon Aranda Oct 27, 2010 at 10:36am

@Rikstallion - To build estates, you must first buy the blueprint.

Rikstallion Oct 20, 2010 at 12:01pm

This may seem a dumb question but what are estates?! Ive just started to play build a lot on the iPhone and I'm stuck on level 14 I think. The problem is the challenges request that I own 2 estates, I just did the level and ran out off time having completed all other tasks and owning every lot with max starred house! Surely if I own every house and do not have anything else to do I would own 2 estates. Is the a perticular combination of properties needed to be classed as an estate?

Any help would greatly appreciated, this game is great and there are still loadsa levels left and build a lot 2!

peyton Sep 26, 2010 at 8:22am

this game looks cool but i wont to play it right now ok but heads

Inx Sep 11, 2010 at 6:06pm

How to build an ice ring? I have the blueprint, material and workers more than enough. What have i missed?

Anonymous Sep 6, 2010 at 3:28pm

Want build-a-lot 3!!!!!! I love these games!!!

Duskpowder Aug 28, 2010 at 11:14am

I want to leave this a five star rating but the version in the shop is not recognised as the app I have so cannot leave review! Best game ever is there gonna be a build a lot 3?

Anonymous Aug 18, 2010 at 5:24pm

Cricket download

Pulkit Aug 9, 2010 at 10:10am

@DickBryne / Ramon:
I completed all the levels and have a star on each level also in the Career Mode... How do I unlock the secret level???

alex Aug 7, 2010 at 1:33am

wann gibt es Build a lot 2 im deutschen App-Store??

Ludwig Aug 4, 2010 at 1:45am

Joyce, try to build
1st : workshop
in the same 1 colonial and you sell it as soon as it is finished
2nd : sawmill
then buy workers and wood to build a mansion, and sell it immediately.
then you have money, workers, empty lot, it should be fine.
Continue with castles (4stars + inspection) , and 1 bank.

Build the marina at the last minute, because it makes you earn 0.

Virginia Aug 3, 2010 at 6:09pm

I LOVE Build-a-lot and Build-a-lot 2: Town of the Year.
I have both games on the computer now and will be buying the 3rd today. I hope you develop the 3rd game for the iPhone soon, but I know it takes a while to develope these kind of apps.

I will be working on level 35 of the first game to get the star (it's the only one I haven't been able to) and I find it interesting that one person stated they don't have time to sell their castles. First, build an estate and don't bother upgrading it - just sell it! Why would you want to have to pay more later in the game when you will probably have to buy the same house back? After building the sawmill while selling the estate, buy 5,000 materials and then build the workshop then hire 6 workers then build your first castle and sell it - don't upgrade houses until you have a firm financial foundation under your hands - then buy more workers and materials and build a bank and another castle. It takes a lot of patience and organization since you constantly have to move back and forth between houses - but wait until you have at least five castles with 4 star upgrades to start selling them. Obviously, it's possible as others have done it - I just haven't figured it out yet.

joyce Aug 3, 2010 at 4:16am

Build a lot is a great game! but I 've tried level 35 for about 10 times, but I keep running out of time.......
The problem is, I don't have the money required (15.000.000)
I build 3 estates and give them 4 stars, I build a workshop after my second estate, then after 3 estates I build a bank to avoid property taxes. And from there I hire workers and only build castles and upgrade them. I reach every goal, except the 15 million in cash. I never have enough time to sell my castles. Can someone please help me? This game is driving me nuts! ;-)

Maxcap Aug 3, 2010 at 3:21am

I know how to draft the blueprints, and I know how to build the houses. I just can't seem to build other things like the post office, etc., even though I have the blueprints for it. I can't seem to toggle between the two blueprint sections to select those buildings even though they are available. I don't know if the program just has a glitch or if I'm doing something wrong. I understand how to make the blueprints and how I should be using them, just very frustating that I can't.

Maxcap Aug 2, 2010 at 4:14pm

I can't seem to use the blueprints that are beyond the ones you can see on the screen, like the post office. I've already drafted it, but I don't know how to build it. Can anyone help?

Ramon Aranda Aug 2, 2010 at 12:43pm

@Anonymous - Here's a handy strategy guide - http://www.gamezebo.com/download-games/build-lot/walkthrough

Dickbyrne Aug 1, 2010 at 9:32am

Yep
on my iphone, last version (french store)

i've finish the game 4 or 5 times ;-)

Anonymous Jul 31, 2010 at 1:02am

Can't get pass level 35, cos keep running of time. Any tips?

Ramon Aranda Jul 28, 2010 at 7:28am

@Dickbyrne, are you playing this on the iPhone? If so, what is the version number of the game?

Dickbyrne Jul 28, 2010 at 6:14am

Hi,
* How do you unlock the 'secret level'?
- To unlock it, you'll need to complete the game and get a star on every level.

Ok i dit it... where he is this secret level ?

Ramon Aranda Jul 26, 2010 at 2:03pm

@Anonymous - You can increase the value of a property by upgrading it (Star icon). If you are still having problems, you just need to build more expensive houses.

Anonymous Jul 24, 2010 at 10:19pm

My favorite bulid a lot

Anonymous Jul 24, 2010 at 2:24pm

how do I increase value i have tired one level probably 10 times, i can't get rental income to 250,000

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