Empyrean's House Flipper launched on 17 May 2018, published by Frozen District and PlayWay, and this is the original rather than the 2023 sequel. It is a first person renovation sim driven by an email inbox: clients write in, you mop, paint, knock down walls and fit radiators, and the money funds buying wrecked properties from the laptop to fix and auction off. House Flipper 2 arrived in December 2023 on a completely new code base and added the town of Pinnacove, an Assembly building mode and a true sandbox, none of which exist in this game. The 2018 original scored 68 on Metacritic for PC and still became a Steam bestseller.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | A | Balanced | Mop | Yes |
| Painting | A | Balanced | Vacuum Cleaner | Yes |
| Demolition | A | Balanced | Paint Roller | Yes |
| Building | A | Balanced | Sledgehammer | Yes |
| Handyman | A | Balanced | Tiling and Paneling Tool | Yes |
New player? Start with Painting. See our beginner's guide for why.
Cleaning
Cleaning is a strong option in House Flipper.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Mop |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Email jobs from the laptop |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Mop
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Cleaning Jobs to learn Cleaning-specific mechanics
- Focus on Email jobs from the laptop. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Mop as your first major upgrade
- See our full Cleaning build guide for the optimal gear progression
Painting
Painting is a strong option in House Flipper.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Vacuum Cleaner |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Six perk trees fed by tool use |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Vacuum Cleaner
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Cleaning Jobs to learn Painting-specific mechanics
- Focus on Six perk trees fed by tool use. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Vacuum Cleaner as your first major upgrade
- See our full Painting build guide for the optimal gear progression
Demolition
Demolition is a strong option in House Flipper.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Paint Roller |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Buying and reselling properties |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Paint Roller
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Cleaning Jobs to learn Demolition-specific mechanics
- Focus on Buying and reselling properties. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Paint Roller as your first major upgrade
- See our full Demolition build guide for the optimal gear progression
Building
Building is a strong option in House Flipper.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Sledgehammer |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Tool unlocks gated behind jobs |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Sledgehammer
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Cleaning Jobs to learn Building-specific mechanics
- Focus on Tool unlocks gated behind jobs. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Sledgehammer as your first major upgrade
- See our full Building build guide for the optimal gear progression
Handyman
Handyman is a strong option in House Flipper.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Tiling and Paneling Tool |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | The tablet catalogue and item scanner |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Tiling and Paneling Tool
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Cleaning Jobs to learn Handyman-specific mechanics
- Focus on The tablet catalogue and item scanner. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Tiling and Paneling Tool as your first major upgrade
- See our full Handyman build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Painting is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Cleaning is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Mop for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Handyman offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Building shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More House Flipper Guides
- House Flipper House Flipper Overview
- House Flipper Best Builds
- House Flipper Tier List
- House Flipper Walkthrough
- House Flipper Beginner's Guide
- House Flipper Tips & Tricks
- House Flipper Weapons Guide
- House Flipper Combat Guide
- House Flipper Boss Guide
- House Flipper Maps & Locations
- House Flipper Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy House Flipper, check out these related guides:
- Stardew Valley Classes Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
- Satisfactory Classes Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
- The Sims 4 Classes Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
