I'm very pleased with this table. The construction is solid and the finish is nicely done. Like other reviews mention, the color is rather dark which is what I wanted. Yes, the top is not pre-drilled.  Unlike the solid top, the bottom two shelves are made with a thinner composite wood within the shelf "frame". The distance from floor to bottom shelf is about 2 1/2" at the frame (edge and center support)  and 3 1/2" to the shelf bottom.