this desk took a VERY long time to assemble. as the other reviewers said, put aside several hours and hopefully a friend to help the process go easier, but it can be done alone. the final product is great BUT the holes in the metal legs were way too small. I had to get a drill and make the holes larger in order to fit the corresponding screw. another reviewer mentioned this, so I know it wasn't a one time issue and it made the assembly sooo much longer than it needed to be. If you don't have a drill you will not be able to put this together as sturdily as you might want. Definitely something that needs to be fixed.