First, I want to say I love this bed headboard. It’s everything. It took me myself and I about 4 hours to put this bed together, you definitely need help. The screwing part was the easier I suggest you use a drill. It was the wooden board up I was struggling so bad with because the wood kept falling down then I had it backwards after I finish got them all to align up right. It was only difficult for me and took so long because I didn’t have help. Also, you don’t need a box spring just a mattress but I think I’m still going to get one for my bed to sit a little higher maybe a 4” would be best.