This pergola is just what we needed to complete our backyard oasis! My husband and I were able to complete the process in about 6 hours. The challenge was that we have a small backyard, so we had to build all the supports on the front lawn and carry them to the back, no big deal! I would recommend a third set of hands if possible once you start building. It feels rather sturdy, although we wish the plates that get screwed into the ground were larger and more supportive. Other than that, this purchase was definitely worth it!