The box was in very poor condition when the entertainment center arrived and one piece of the center shelving was damaged with a large gash. I ordered a new one so hopefully it will come unscathed. I put this unit together by myself and it is totally doable alone but it may take longer if you are alone. The instructions were easy to follow and everything was labeled including the hardware. I love the color and how it looks in my den. Also, I used a cordless screw gun and I think that helped move assembly along. I also used some wood glue on the little wooden pegs just for extra hold. In all, I finished the assembly in two hours. This piece is definitely worth the money.