The bed was fairly easy to assemble, just takes some time.  I didn't time it, but suspect it was about an hour, by myself.  The finish is along the lines of a dark galvanized finished, black and grey maybe.  The bed is pretty solid, I purchased the King size, it made no noise the first month, but it makes a bit now.  I think if I go back an tighten the screws again, now that it has set in, the noise will go away.  I would not hesitate to buy it again.  It looks good and I think it will last.