The instructions said that it requires 3 people, and we were able to do it with 2. I can see why it needs 3 people, since there are pieces you need to hold up. Altogether, it probably took 2 hours to set up. When we put the top piece on (not the fabric, but the metal structure that holds the fabric), we accidentally bent one of the sides but it still functions! A little flimsy but works for us!