We first were really impressed with the packaging. Every piece of wood was wrapped carefully in cloth and then protected by foam. We were so impressed. The fire place is really sturdy and a great size. The pieces fit together really well and feels substantial. The connections are really secure. The fire is fairly realistic for an electric fireplace. I wish the fire itself was a bit larger, but it’s a good size. The heater is the only downside. It puts out some heat, and is quiet, but doesn’t warm a very large area. You can’t really feel it more than a couple of feet away, but over an hour or so will warm a room a few degrees. We live in a warmer climate so we won’t use the heat very often, but would have liked it to be a bit more functional. Overall, we are pleased with the purchase and would recommend it.