This was the easiest bed frame to put together. Its actually more of a bed frame than box spring. The queen can easily be put together by 1 person. The king size really needs 2 people. Its quite difficult to put the frame slots into one another - you need quite a bit of strength for that. The mallet came in handy, tho if you are not strong to begin with, it wont help much. Other than thats, the actual logistics of putting it together is simple. No headboard is needed if you prop it against the wall it actually stays put.