Very easy to assemble. I put it together by myself so it took approximately 1 hr with distractions. Lol. Once put together bed was sturdy. Definitely worth every penny. Bed doesn’t necessarily need a box spring. Depending upon your preference you might want one. Personally I purchased this for my 88 year old grandmother and she prefers to not be so low to the floor. So a box spring was necessary for her. Absolutely no complaints or concerns. Highly recommend