I am very happy with this bunkbed!  It is attractive, sturdy and was purchased on sale!!  I paid to have it professionally assembled so I cannot speak to the experience of putting it together. My grandchildren are thrilled with the bed during their weekend visits and the full sized lower bunk accommodates adult couple visitors. It seems to me that stairs are safer than a ladder to descend, especially for a groggy child in the wee hours. The steps are rather steep and may be difficult to maneuver for a young/small child (my grandson is six and handles them with ease.) I appreciate the shelves and  slats, rather than solid head and foot boards provide an airy, open feeling. Delivery was ten days later than promised, but since I wasn’t in a hurry, this didn’t affect my five-star rating.