It was not to hard to set up - I did it myself. It came with a "letter opener" type tool to help cut the plastic but it was useless it was dull. I had to use scissors. When I laid on it for the first time I thought it to be more on the firm side (med firm) which I was a little disappointed by because I would like it to be a little more softer. I don't think a mattress pad would help either. Anyway, I was tossing and turning the first night I slept on it but who knows if it's because of the mattress itself. At the end of the day, I was looking for something affordable and like the old saying goes - you get what you pay for.