This is the first piece of furniture I have ever put together myself and it fairly easy.  It took about 2 hours to put together.  I found myself reading the instructions to few times to understand what I needed to do so the instructions could be a little clearer.  My mattress fits perfectly and I don't know if the matress or the bed but I'm very comfortable.  I will probably never buy another piece of furniture that I needed to put together myself but it was not bad, and the sense of accomplishment is pretty great.