Instructions were funny to read due to all the spelling errors, but still totally readable. It probably took my mom and I 1.5 hours to set up. The ladder didn't attach quite as securely as I hoped (possibility for pinched fingers) so we added some screws. My husband is handy so it wasn't an issue at all for us. I love that it's solid wood, the paint job is really good, and it's quite sturdy. Slight off-gassing smell when I opened the box, but I cracked a window and it was gone by the time we were done setting up.