You get what you pay for.  In this case, unless the cats using this tree are kittens, the room for them to jump onto other levels is minimal at best.  The quality is poor, which is typical of these cat trees, unless you're having them custom made.  If this lasts a year, and it should, I'll be happy.  It will have served its purpose.  Before purchasing this particular tree, I would look around just one more time to see if there's not something better.  The stairs are really an unnecessary addition.  They are really an accident waiting to happen.  I put the stairs aside. The little round thing that attaches  to one of the platforms would be sufficient for a kitten ONLY.  I didn't even bother attaching it.