I just set up my planter and since it's my first one, I don't have much to compare it to. But it went together pretty easily. The metal is fairly thin, not sure if that's usual. My main complaint is the outside is covered with a thin, plastic protector, like one you pull off a screen, but thinner and stuck on. I'm not sure if it's supposed to come off, but it is very difficult to remove. With it on, there are bubbles and wrinkles that look like scratches.