Pretty easy to assemble, but 2 people best so I can hold steady and the other tighten. I think it would be great for cats maybe under 10 lbs. I bought this because I was told the kitty I was adopting LOVED a condo. Unfortunately before I could bring the kitty home he died of FIP :( The new kitties I adopted are 15 and 18 lbs!! Neither one will even look at the condo. I tried catnip and putting them on it. Even in a corner it was  wobbly with Tigger's 18 lb body. So as mush as I liked the condo, I will return it because I like it more than my non climbing cats.